Pov is a determined 17-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Kandal Province with his parents and is the youngest of five siblings, all of whom are married. His father sells drinking water, and his mother stays at home to care for the family and manage household tasks. He is currently studying in Grade 11 and enjoys physics. He dreams of becoming a doctor in the future. His favorite meals are soups, especially those with lots of vegetables, and he enjoys playing football with his friends in his free time. Eleven months ago, Pov sustained electrical burns to both hands in an accident. As the wounds healed, severe scar contractures developed, affecting the right first finger webspace and the left fifth finger. The scar contractures have tightened the skin and limited movement in both hands. This makes it difficult for him to grasp objects, hold items properly, and write his school lessons. He also feels self-conscious about the appearance of his scars and often hides them by wearing long sleeves. Pov sought treatment with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On May 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve hand movement and restore better function. This treatment will help him write more easily, hold objects comfortably, and regain confidence in using his hands for daily activities and school. His family can contribute $25, but needs help raising $627 more to fund his procedure and care. Pov said, “I hope this surgery will help my hands move normally again so I can write my lessons easily, hold things without difficulty, and feel confident without needing to hide my scars anymore.”

Sophai is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampot Province with his parents, whom he helps care for and support. He divorced his wife five months ago and has one young son, who currently lives with his mother. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In March 2023, Sophai was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his right shin bone. After the accident, he went to a private clinic in Kampot Province, where doctors performed surgery to repair his right tibia fracture and implanted a metal plate and screws to stabilize the bone during healing. Although the fracture has healed, the metal plate and screws still cause occasional pain and discomfort in his right leg, especially when he performs heavy physical work such as farming. The discomfort affects his ability to work comfortably and complete daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 4th, Sophai will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will remove the metal plate and screws from his healed right tibia, helping relieve discomfort and allowing him to move and work more comfortably. His family can contribute $25, but needs help to raise $353 more to fund his procedure and care. Sophai said, “I hope removing the metal plate and screws will relieve the discomfort in my leg so I can return to farming and carry out my daily work more comfortably.”

Nuwamanya is a 51-year-old widow and mother of eight children from Uganda. She is the firstborn of fifteen children. She never had the opportunity to attend school and has relied on small-scale farming to support her family. For the past two months ago, Nuwamanya began to experience troubling symptoms, including persistent lower abdominal pain. She was given painkillers, but the pain persisted and has significantly affected her daily life. She is unable to work on her farm or eat comfortably, as eating tends to worsen the pain. She also experiences difficulty sleeping, particularly when lying on one side, and has been having persistent episodes of fever. Concerned about her worsening condition, her daughter advised her to seek further medical attention at our medical partner's care center, Rwibaale Hospital. She was diagnosed with a splenic cyst and a splenic echogenic mass. Physicians recommend surgery to open up the abdominal cavity to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Nuwamanya's surgery. On November 3rd, she will undergo surgery, and once completed, this procedure will hopefully greatly improve her quality of life. Nuwamanya says, "The pain is too much, but I trust that the treatment will help me, and I will be able to work again. Thank you for the support."