Rayan is a baby from Tanzania with two siblings. Their parents are small-scale farmers and cattle breeders who cultivate maize and wheat, and cattle for milk production. The family's livelihood has been impacted by drought, and recently the cost of maintaining the farm exceeds any profit they make. When Ryan was 11 months old, he crawled to the kitchen where his mother had started an open fire, and burned his right hand on a piece of firewood. The scars from the wound have since made it difficult for Rayan to use his right hand because the skin around the fingers is webbed together. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, will help Rayan with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. After the procedure, Rayan will be able to open his fingers fully and use his hand. Now, Rayan and his family need help to fund this $832 procedure. Rayans’s mother says, “I hope this surgery will be a big step in helping my son’s condition.”

Sokhom is a 45-year-old rice and bean farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children in Kampong Cham. In his free time, he likes spending time with his family and watching TV. Sokhom is also an avid volleyball player, and before his injury, he played nearly every day in his village. In June 2023, Sokhom accidentally burned his right hand on a mosquito coil in his house. Two days later, his hand had severe swelling and he sought care from a local village healer. Unfortunately, the skin around the burn has become infected. He experiences pain, swelling, and discharge from the wound. When Sokhom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On July 5th, surgeons at CSC's care center will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, Sokhom needs help to fund this $324 procedure. After surgery, he hopes that he can use his right hand easily again for work and volleyball.

Meet Fernanda: an 11 year old who is in need of heart surgery. She lives with her parents and younger brother in La Paz, Bolivia. Her father works for a paper company, while her mother is an eldercare social worker. Fernanda was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. She needs surgery to correct this condition. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund Fernanda's cardiac surgery, which is scheduled for May 17th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. After she has recovered from her surgery, Fernanda will be able to resume her schooling, and even to return to playing sports which she loves to do. Fernanda's mother said: "Our family has been waiting for this surgery for many years, and we are glad the opportunity has finally arrived!"