Mech is a 15-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He lives at home on his family's rice farm with his parents and younger sister. He enjoys Cambodian beef soup and playing volleyball with his friends. Last September, Mech was helping one of his uncle's at a construction site when he got an electric burn on his hand and wrist. His uncle rushed him to the local hospital and they suggested he come to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. Mech is still in pain and unable to use his hand. When Mech learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to relive his pain and help him use his hand again. Now, he needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Mech shared, "I hope after the operation my hand and wrist can heal so I can work and play volleyball again."

Htee is a one-year-old toddler who lives with his parents and his grandfather in Burma. His mother is a homemaker and his father and grandfather grow betel nuts, bananas, durian, chili and sesame on their own land. The income they earn from selling their crops is not enough to cover their daily expenses and pay for basic health care. Earlier this year, Htee had a fever and runny nose. He received treatment at a local clinic but his fever did not subside. A few days later, his skin and eyes turned yellow and he developed blue spots all over his body. He was brought to a hospital in Burma, where the doctor told Htee's parents that he has a problem with his liver and would need surgery at another treatment center. Unable to pay for travel and treatment, his parents brought him home. One day, a neighbor's referral led them to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. BCMF is now seeking $1,500 to help fund a hepatoportoenterostomy, which will allow for bile drainage and relieve Htee's worrying symptoms. “I am happy to hear the organization (BCMF) will help support my son’s treatment. Thank you to the donors," said Htee's father.

Namara is a 3-year-old child from Uganda. He and his four siblings live with their mother and grandparents. The children depend on their grandparents who are small-scale farmers as well as well-wishers, friends, and relatives for financial support. Namara’s mother reports that her son developed an on-and-off small swelling in his private parts two years ago. Later, Namara began to refuse to eat, vomiting whenever he ate, and soon started to cough as well. His mother realized that these conditions would develop whenever the swelling appeared because he would be in pain. He was taken to the nearest health center and was given medication, but it only helped for a short while. Currently, he cries a lot when the swelling appears. Namara was diagnosed right inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on February 3rd, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Namara and his family need help raising $170 to fund his procedure and care. Namara’s mother says, “My son’s condition is worrying and [he] has had medication without improvement. I pray that he may get well through surgery so that he may be able to start school comfortably.”