Srey Leap is a three-year-old girl, living with her parents near Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Her father works in a nearby garment factory, while her mother is a homemaker. Srey Leap's parents noticed that, since her birth, her head has tilted to one side, and she has only a limited range of motion of her neck. Gradually, they have grown more concerned as there has been no improvement over time. Her mother learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and brought Srey Leap in for an evaluation. Doctors diagnosed Srey Leap with congenital muscular torticollis, a condition that occurs when muscles in the neck are shortened, sometimes as the result of a difficult birth. On February 8th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a nerve and tendon procedure to release the shortened muscle. After recovery, Srey Leap will have an improved range of motion in her neck. Srey Leap and her family need help to fund this $572 procedure. After surgery her family hopes that she will be able to move more freely.

Channa is a 6-year-old first-grader from Cambodia. She lives at home with her parents and two siblings. Her father is a construction worker, and her mom stays home to take care of the children. Channa loves to paint, eat fried eggs, and is enjoying learning to read. Since last year, Channa has been experiencing recurring sore throats, difficulty breathing, sneezing, and a persistent runny nose. The frequent illness causes her to miss school. Channa was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Channa, which is scheduled to take place on February 2nd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Channa of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Her mom said, "I hope after surgery she can feel okay again."

Queen is a sweet 11-month-old from Tanzania. She is the youngest child in her family of eight children. Queen is very curious and charming; when she was at our medical partner’s care center, she could not stop playing with the other children. Her family is from a remote part of Western Tanzania, and her parents farm maize and beans. Queen’s mother shared that the recent weather changes made it hard for them to cultivate maize, and they are now dependent on their cultivation of beans. The low harvest also means there are not enough surplus crops to sell and earn money to support the family’s basic needs. Queen has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Queen’s family was able to travel to our medical partner’s care center for assistance. On February 7th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery that will allow Queen to walk easily and wear shoes as she grows up. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund this procedure. Queen’s mother says: “I am worried that my daughter will be so limited when she grows up. I hope she gets the treatment for her condition.”