Cheata is an 11-year-old Grade 6 student from Cambodia. She is the third of five children and lives with her parents, who are rice farmers. All of her siblings are still students. She enjoys mathematics at school, likes drawing pictures in her free time, and loves eating caramelized pork and eggs. Cheata has had a mass at the back of her right thigh for about three years. She has multiple osteochondromas, with bony growths around her right femur, including areas near the front-inner and back-outer parts of the lower thigh bone. The growths have gradually increased in size and cause mild pain and discomfort around her right knee. She sometimes feels a grinding or snapping sensation when squatting, which can make knee movement uncomfortable. Cheata traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) will remove the mass. Now, Cheata needs help to raise $344 to fund this procedure. Cheata's mother said, “I hope removing these growths will help my daughter feel less pain and move her right leg more comfortably. I am also relieved that she can receive treatment now, and I hope she will be able to squat, walk, and enjoy her daily activities without the discomfort she has been experiencing.”

German is a 70-year-old father of seven from Malawi, who has spent most of his life doing whatever work he can find to keep his family going. Some days there is work, and some days there is not, but he has always tried to provide for his household with what little he earns. Two months ago, German started experiencing difficulty passing urine which has affected his comfort, sleep, and ability to work. Hopeful for assistance, he went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). He was given medication and advised to return for a follow up review. During his follow up clinic, doctors confirmed that medication alone would not be enough for treatment, and have recommended an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function. For German, hearing that surgery could help him was a relief. However, that relief was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the cost. With limited income from casual work and farming, the family has no realistic way of affording the surgery cost. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund German's procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on July 9th and, once completed, it will hopefully help him regain his health, return to his daily activities, and continue supporting his family. “I have worked all my life with my own hands, and I still want to be able to help my family. This illness has made even simple things difficult. I am praying that I can receive this surgery and live with comfort again,” German said.

Nak is a 59-year-old man from Kampong Cham Province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and their two school-aged children. He and his wife earn a living by making traditional Khmer woven mats. Although they work hard to support their family, their income is limited. In 1990, Nak lost his right leg below the knee after a landmine accident. He adapted to life with a prosthetic leg, but over the past year, he developed a chronic wound at the amputation stump. The wound causes pain, discharge, and stiffness, making it difficult to wear his prosthesis, work, and carry out daily activities. After learning about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, through a relative, he traveled 3.5 hours to seek treatment. On July 7th, he is scheduled to undergo a right below-knee amputation (BKA) stump revision to remove unhealthy tissue, promote healing, and improve the shape of the stump. The surgery is expected to reduce pain, allow him to wear his prosthetic leg more comfortably, and help him regain his mobility and independence. His family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $428 more to fund his procedure and care. Nak said, “I hope this surgery will heal my wound so I can wear my prosthetic leg comfortably again and move around without pain.”