Rika is a seven-year-old student in first grade from Cambodia. She lives with her parents, her 87-year-old grandmother, and her older brother. Her parents work in a clothing factory in the province. Rika and her older brother attend the local primary school; her favorite subject is English. At home, her grandmother is teaching her how to cook simple dishes such as fried fish, which is her favorite. Rika also enjoys watching cartoons and following her older brother around. When she grows up, she would like to be a nurse. Three years ago, Rika accidentally burned a finger on her left hand from a hanging electrical wire. Her parents took her to a local children's hospital for care but she soon developed a contracture from the scar tissue. She is unable to straighten her finger, which makes it difficult for her to grasp objects. Her parents are worried she will not be able to develop fine motor skills. When Rika's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore the use of her left hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Rika's mother said, "I hope my daughter's finger will work better and she will have no pain."

Miriam is a sociable four-year-old girl from Arusha Tanzania, the first born child in a family of two children. Miriam's father works casual day jobs to earn a living, while the mother is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges due to limited income, the parents work diligently to ensure their family's well-being. Miriam was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by her mother following a burn incident she experienced in May 2023. A pot of boiling beans tipped off and the hot water spilled on Miriam, causing burn injuries. She was first taken to a nearby healthcare center for wound care, and it took a month for her wounds to heal. During the healing process, her skin developed a burn contracture on her elbow, which was left untreated as the health center did not have the capacity to handle such cases, and the family did not have the financial resources to seek treatment in a larger institution. Sometime later, Miriam's mother met one of Kafika House's staff members who advised her to go to the facility for an assessment, with hope for treatment, as the condition was already limiting Miriam's ability to perform her daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Miriam receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore the functionality of her hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Miriam’s mother says: “Please help my daughter get this treatment. I hope she will grow up with her arm fully functional.”

76-year-old Moyenda hails from a village in Lilongwe District. He has 12 children of whom 3 are in school and the rest are married in their respective homes. Moyenda had to leave primary school when he was young, therefore he could not secure a good job and support his family. He depends on farming where he grows maize for consumption and sweet potatoes for commercial purposes. For one year, Moyenda has been experiencing a painful swelling in a sensitive area. The swelling disappears after a while, and it is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. He has been visiting different health centers where he was given drugs to no avail until he was advised to visit Nkhoma Hospital for further assessment. Moyenda was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, and he was scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery. However, he cannot afford the cost although he wishes to undergo surgery. This condition has had a negative impact on Moyenda’s life as he feels abdominal pain when the swelling appears, and he cannot do his farming activities. If the condition is left untreated, it may lead to strangulation which can be life-threatening. Treatment will relieve him of the pain and he will be able to focus on his farm without any hindrances from the condition. Moyenda is scheduled for hernia repair surgery February 13th. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $500 to fund surgery, medications, and medical care. Moyenda says, “I would love to be free of this condition for good.”