Chulsa is a 10-year old student in the third grade. When he was only one year old he was burned by hot water. His mother brought him to a clinic near their home to be treated. His skin eventually healed, but he developed a burn contracture (permanent shortening of a muscle or joint) on his finger. It is now difficult for him to use his finger. Chulsa has one sister who is six years old. His mother is a factory worker and his father is a construction worker. When Chulsa's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled across Cambodia for seven hours seeking treatment. On January 11th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help Chulsa use his hand completely. Now, his family needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Chulsa told us how hopeful he is that he can finally use his finger more easily than before.

Saim is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four sons, two daughters, and eleven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and one of her sons, who are also farmers. In her free time, she takes care of a garden at her house, and makes food for her grandchildren. She also likes to watch dramas on TV. Eight years ago, Saim developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her severe irritation, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Saim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. Saim 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 5th. Saim said, "I have had this eye problem for a long time, and I am excited to finally feel better and not have irritation all the time."

Tibeyarura is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of two adult children, both of whom are also farmers. They are both married and are able to provide her with minimal support. Tibeyarura's husband passed away in 2009, leaving her a semi-permanent house for shelter. During her free time, she enjoys visiting and taking care of her fields. Sixteen years ago, Tibeyarura began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath. Doctors diagnosed her with a goiter, and she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tibeyarura receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 1st at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Tibeyarura and her family need your support. Tibeyarura shared, “I pray that I may be considered for treatment. After treatment, I believe I will be able to comfortably continue with farming and be able to sustain and take good care of my family as I used to before.”