Gabriel is a shy 4-year-old boy from Kenya who needs surgery to heal his clubfeet condition. He lives with his family in a village in Kilifi County and is the third born child in a family of six children. His father, Kazungu, is a butcher and his mother a housewife. Seeing Gabriel was born his with a clubfoot condition, his father has taken on a very active role and responsibility for Gabriel's care. His father learnt of our medical partner's mobile care center in Mombasa and took his son in for review. Gabriel was diagnosed with having clubfoot of both feet, which makes the feet point downwards and inwards. He shared that Gabriel walked with a lot of discomfort and could not comfortably play with his friends or even wear shoes. Fortunately, Gabriel will receive the help that he needs at AIC Cure International Hospital. Here, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Gabriel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will have improved mobility and self-esteem, leading to an enhanced quality of life. Additionally, reduced pain will allow him to walk comfortably and continue his studies uninterrupted as he grows. “I am looking forward to see my son going through surgery, healing well, walking like other children and doing well in school,” Gabriel’s father told us.

Sreylin is a three-year-old pre-schooler from Cambodia, living with her parents and older sister in Kampong Chhnang province. Her father works in construction, while her mother is a rice farmer. When Sreylin was a year old, she was in an accident at home, involving a cooking fire where multiple parts of her body got burned. She was treated at a local hospital, where the doctors had to amputate some of her toes. Now, burn scar contractures have developed around the toes, tightening the skin on her feet. This makes it difficult for her to walk. Sreylin's parents are concerned about the appearance and functionality of her feet. Fortunately, doctors at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 24th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will loosen the scar tissue, and help Sreylin to walk and wear shoes more easily. Sreylin's family is able to contribute $100 but needs your help to raise $395 more to fund this procedure. Her mother hopes that Sreylin can feel better before starting kindergarten next year.

Penh is a loving grandmother from Kandal province. With three sons and one daughter, she has lived with her youngest son and his family since a divorce from her husband forty years ago. Formerly a farmer cultivating vegetables and rice, she is now trying to enjoy her retirement. Her days are occupied with looking after her grandchildren and preparing meals for the family. Occasionally, she finds comfort in visiting the nearby pagoda to listen to the monks chant. About four years ago, Penh developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her distress, as she struggles with the inability to see, do housework, or participate in the ceremonies at the pagoda. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Penh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Penh needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Penh shared: "I feel bad because I cannot see and cannot take care of myself or do housework. I hope I can be better after my operation."