Mesa is 10 years old and a Grade 4 student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Kompong Spue Province. His parents run a small shop where they take photos for students and print documents. He enjoys math at school, looks after his younger brother, and plays football with friends in his village. His favorite meal is lemongrass sour soup with eggs. When Mesa was one year old, he was burned by hot water, causing an injury to his left hand. He received a skin graft to the back of his hand at a governmental hospital, followed by a release of the fourth web space about a year later. He has since developed burn scar contractures between the second, third, and fourth fingers. The scars between his fingers restrict the spaces between them and make it difficult for him to fully straighten his left-hand fingers. He sometimes struggles to hold objects, and the appearance of his hand makes him feel shy around other people. Mesa's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help open the tight spaces between his fingers and improve the movement of his left hand, making it easier for him to straighten his fingers and hold things. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Mesa's father said, “I hope this surgery will help my son straighten his fingers and use his left hand more easily when holding things. I also hope that as his hand improves, he will feel less shy and more confident around other people.”

Rathana is a 17-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He is the first child in his family and lives in Kampong Speu Province with his parents and younger brother, who is in Grade 7. His parents work in a garment factory, and because of financial difficulties, he had to leave school and now works with them. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball and football with his friends in the village. His favorite foods are lemongrass sour soup and eggs. On June 28th, 2026, Rathana fell from a motorbike and briefly lost consciousness. He was taken to a provincial hospital, where X-rays showed a closed fracture of his left femur and an open fracture of his left forearm. Because he could not afford the recommended surgery, he later received treatment with a bamboo splint and traditional care. The fractures eventually healed in an abnormal position. His left leg is now shorter than his right, which has made walking difficult. He has been using crutches since the accident and has not yet tried walking. Although he experiences only a little pain, the shortened leg remains his main concern. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 1st, Rathana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will help stabilize the bone in its improved position and support his recovery, helping him gradually regain the ability to walk and return to his normal activities and work. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $500 more to fund his procedure and care. Rathana's mother said, “I worry about how much my son has struggled with his leg since the accident. I hope this surgery will help his leg heal in a better position so he can start walking again, return to his normal activities, and get back to work.”

Francis is a 49-year-old married man with 4 children from Malawi. He orders raw cassava from farms and sells it in town. However, due to his health, he is unable to work. Eleven years ago, Francis noticed a swelling in a sensitive part of his body. The swelling would be intense and cause pain and discomfort, affecting his ability to work and perform daily tasks. He was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia is a condition where tissue, such as part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. If left untreated, inguinal hernias can lead to complications, such as strangulation, which cuts off the blood flow to the protruding intestine and can be life-threatening. Surgery is the only recommended treatment. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Francis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Francis shared, "I am afraid of losing my life; the swelling terrifies me; I need your support to help me get better again, for me to resume my business and continue supporting my family."