Reaksa is a hardworking barber from Takeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his sister, who works in a garment factory. His father is a truck driver, and his mother also works in a garment factory. In his free time, Reaksa enjoys listening to music and helping his parents with daily tasks around the home. In 2016, Reaksa fell down the stairs at his home, injuring his hip. Since then, he has suffered from ankylosis of the hip with severe flexion deformity, which makes it difficult for him to walk, sit, and maintain a normal posture. He also experiences back pain when sitting for long periods. After the accident, he was treated at a government hospital with medication, but his condition did not improve. He was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), where doctors treated him with a cast. It initially relieved his pain and allowed him to walk without support. However, over time, his posture gradually worsened, and the hip deformity became more noticeable. On March 16th, Reaksa will undergo an uncemented hip replacement procedure on his left hip. Reaksa can contribute $100 for his treatment, and needs help to raise an additional $1,400 to cover surgery, a special prosthesis, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Reaksa shared, “My hip still makes it hard to sit and walk properly, and I worry about my posture getting worse. I hope the treatment at CSC will help me move more comfortably and live without pain.”

Surjeet is a 26-year-old man from India. He drives an electric auto rickshaw as a daily wage earner. When Surjeet was four years old, he sustained burns while sitting around a bonfire during winter. For around two months, he was treated at home by a nurse working at a government hospital. Twelve years ago, Surjeet, who lives in Bihar, travelled over 300 kilometers to visit our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for specialized care. He had extensive post-burn contractures or tightening of the skin around the neck, arms, hands, and lower lip. He has undergone two surgeries for the release of his neck and left axillary contractures. Surjeet needs another surgery to help him regain strength and mobility in his right wrist and hand. On April 16th, he will undergo burn contracture release surgery, and he needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Surjeet has high hopes that this surgery will help him regain the function of his right hand. Surjeet's father shared, "With the help of G S Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital, I hope that my son will be able to study further with the promise of a better future after this surgery."

Tamirat is a cheerful four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He lives with his parents, his older brother, and his older sister in a rented house. He loves playing football with his brother and sister. He also enjoys watching movies and cartoons, and one of his favorite activities is praying. His name, Tamirat, means "miracle." His grandmother chose the name because his mother became seriously ill during her pregnancy as a result of heavy physical work. After Tamirat was born, his mother recovered, and the family considered his birth a miracle from God. One day, Tamirat's uncle was helping him get dressed when he noticed that one of his testicles was not in it's place. Concerned, he advised Tamirat's mother to have him examined. At the health center, a doctor examined Tamirat and he also underwent an ultrasound. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Tamirat would have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Tamirat and his mother were referred to a higher-level hospital for further evaluation and treatment, where he was placed on a surgery wait list. Three months later, they were referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). While Tamirat's mother was relieved that this meant her son would receive treatment soon, it also got her anxious as she knew her family could not afford the cost of surgery. She manually cleans other people's clothes to earn an income, while Tamira's father works as a daily laborer. Despite their hard work, they struggle to provide for their family. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tamirat receive treatment. On July 20th, he will undergo corrective surgery to treat his condition, and reduce medical risks in the future. Now, Tamirat's family needs help to fund this $754 procedure. Tamirat's mother shared, "I am so happy to have come here to BethanyKids. The welcome we received was wonderful, and all the staff were kind and respectful. Thank you so much. May God bless every one of you. May He continue to bless the work of your hands and reward you for the kindness you show to children like my son."