Savy is a 68-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and lives with her husband. They have two children: one works as a primary school teacher, and the other is a nurse. In her free time, she enjoys growing vegetables around her home and visiting the pagoda. In 1981, Savy suffered a gasoline burn on her right forearm. Although the wound healed after receiving dressing care, it left extensive scarring. Around 2004, she underwent surgery and skin grafting at Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for a smaller lesion in the same area. About seven months ago, a new wound appeared on her right forearm and gradually grew larger. A biopsy on September 29, 2026, confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The wound causes pain and makes it difficult for her to use her right hand comfortably for everyday activities. Savy traveled for eight hours so she could receive treatment. On October 27th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and help the wound heal. It may also help reduce her discomfort and allow her to use her right hand more comfortably for daily activities, such as tending to her vegetables and caring for herself. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $483 more to fund her procedure and care. Savy said, “I hope the treatment will help my wound heal and reduce the pain in my arm. It has been difficult to use my hand for everyday tasks, and I wish to do more things on my own again. I hope I can feel more comfortable and return to my daily life with less difficulty.”

Koemsing is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Sihanouk Province with her parents and older sister. Her father works as a construction worker, while her mother stays at home to care for the children and manage the household. She enjoys playing with toys with her older sister, and her favorite foods are sour fish soup and strawberries. When she was 10 months old, Koemsing accidentally sustained burns to both hands after coming into contact with fire while playing with her siblings. As her burns healed, severe scar contractures developed in both hands, causing stiffness and deformity. She has difficulty opening her hands, grasping objects, and performing everyday activities appropriate for her age. When Koemsing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the movement and function of her right hand. This surgery will help her grasp objects more easily, play more independently, and perform everyday activities with greater ease. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Koemsing's parents shared, “We hope this surgery will give our daughter the chance to use her hands more freely, become more independent, and enjoy the childhood every child deserves.”

Christine is a 44-year-old mother from Uganda. She has two children, both of whom are enrolled in school. Early on in her marriage, her husband passed away. As a widow, Christine relies on subsistence farming to provide food and financial support for her family. To earn extra income, she occasionally works as a casual laborer on other farms. These additional earnings help her afford essential household necessities such as soap, salt, and other daily requirements. Christine finds joy in seeing her children pursue their education, hoping it will open doors to future professional opportunities. Five years ago, Christine began to experience troubling symptoms, notably a swelling at the front of her neck. Although initially painless, the swelling began to cause her discomfort. Over time, Christine began to experience difficulty with swallowing and breathing, shortness of breath, and palpitations after engaging in laborious tasks. Her condition limited her ability to work on her farm and carry out daily responsibilities, significantly affecting her quality of life. Due to financial constraints, Christine initially resorted to local herbs and traditional remedies to manage her condition. However, the interventions provided no relief, and she underwent screening at Nyakibale Hospital. There, Christine was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in front of your neck and produces hormones that are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Christine requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Christine receive treatment. On November 1st, Christine will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons may remove all or a portion of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Christine says, “Having my surgery with your support will be a blessing. Once I am back on my feet, I am sure I will be able to keep up with farming and will continue working at my best to keep my children in school. I can’t do this on my own and kindly appeal to you for support.”