Brian is a 4-year-old playful preschooler from Kenya. Brian’s mother is a single parent from a very humble background. When Brian was born with scrotal swelling, his parents separated because they believed it was a curse. When he was a baby, Brian was taken to the hospital with complaints of a congenital right scrotal swelling. A repair was done at a different hospital when he was 20 months old but did not cure his condition. His condition has gradually persisted prompting his teacher and grandmother to take him to Watsi Medical Partner's Care Center Kapsowar Hospital. Brian has discomfort while walking. He also has pain on micturition which has always affected his general well-being. He has been raised largely by his older grandmother who hadn't taken him for treatment and never spoke about Brian’s condition. It was not until his class teacher noticed a swelling when he informed well-wishers in the village and he was brought to the hospital to be seen. Brian was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia after undergoing several lab tests and an ultrasound. Brian is a lovely boy who needs all our help so that he can be happy just like other children. Fortunately, on March 16th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund Brian's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Brian’s grandmother says, “I am happy that his condition can be treated surgically. Brian needs to be like other children and play with friends without stigmatization.”

Mengleang is a fifth-grader from Cambodia. He has two older sisters and an older brother, and he enjoys playing soccer with his friends after class. Two years ago, Mengleang developed nasal polyps, noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. For this reason he experiences nasal obstruction, infections, and bleeding. He often has difficulty breathing and sleeping. When Mengleang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 24th, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to remove the polyps. After recovery, he will be able to breathe more easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $291 procedure. "I hope that my son will be able to breathe without any difficulty again and I won't have to worry about his condition affecting him anymore." -Mengleang's Mother

Ngoun is a 43-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, and enjoys watching Khmer dramas on television in her free time. Ten years ago, Ngoun developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Ngoun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Ngoun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 13th. "I hope that the irritation in my eyes will go away and I will be able to see better and go back to planting rice and crops again," she shared.