Seav is six years old and a second-grade student from Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings and lives with her parents, who are rice farmers in Prey Veng Province. Her older brother is in Grade 8, while her younger sister is three years old. She enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes playing with toys with her cousins and sister. Her favorite foods are caramelized pork and eggs. When she was nine months old, Seav suffered a hot-water burn to her right hand. After the burn healed, scar tissue gradually formed and caused contractures in her right middle and ring fingers, along with a shortened web space. The tight scars restrict movement in her right middle and ring fingers and make it difficult for her to use her right hand for writing. This can make schoolwork and other activities that require hand movement more challenging. When Seav's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve movement in her right hand, making it easier for her to write and use her hand during school and daily activities. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seav's mother said, “Her hand has been tight since she was very young, and now it is making writing more difficult for her at school. I hope the surgery will help her move her fingers more freely so she can write, learn, and use her hand with greater ease.”

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.”

Alfred is a 76-year-old elderly man from Malawi. He is a husband and father of eight children, all of whom are now grown and living on their own. He once relied on farming to support his family, but in recent years, his health has limited how much he can do. For the past five years, he has been walking with the help of a walking stick. In 2024, Alfred started experiencing urinary retention. Alfred was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which is an enlarged prostate. A catheter was placed and since then, it has needed to be changed every month, a process that has brought ongoing discomfort, making even simple activities difficult. He needs to undergo a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Alfred receive treatment. The surgery is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on May 6th and, once completed, it will improve Alfred's quality of life. Alfred and his family are able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising an additional $530 to fund the surgery. He says, “I have lived with this condition for a long time, and it has not been easy. I want to be free from the catheter and the discomfort it brings. I am hoping to get help so that I can have the surgery treatment, and live more comfortably again.”