Chhai Ya is a friendly 6-year-old boy from Cambodia. He and his parents and older brother live in Kandal province; his parents are both construction workers. In school, he likes to hear stories from Khmer literature, and at home, he likes to play with his brother or jump rope. His favorite meal is ice cream. Chhai Ya's right foot was burned in a fire at home when he was nine months old. After the burn healed, the skin on his foot retracted and bent his toes. The joints have become partially dislocated, and it is painful, as well as very difficult for him to walk or run normally. Chhai Ya and his family traveled one and half hours to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) to seek treatment. On February 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily and keep up with his friends. His family has contributed $75 to the cost of the surgery, but needs help raising an additional $495 to fully fund his procedure and care. His mother said, "I hope Chhai Ya's foot will look better than before and he can walk and run like other children."

Peninah is a 26-year-old woman from Uganda. She is the sixth born child in a family of eight children. After completing primary school grade seven, she dropped out. Now, she stays with her sister in Southwestern Uganda. Her father is a small-scale farmer, while her mother mostly stays home. In October 2022, Peninah began experiencing troubling symptoms, including mild pain and swelling in her neck. She visited a local health center, where she received an exam and was diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter. She was prescribed medication, but now, she often has a sore throat and sometimes experiences difficulty breathing. Surgery has been recommended to treat her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Peninah receive treatment. On March 9th, she will undergo a undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Now, she and her family need help raising $333 to fund her procedure and care. Peninah shared, “I want to look normal again. I pray that I may have a successful surgery and be able to live a comfortable life in the future.”

Srey Moch is a 39-year-old mom of two from Cambodia with a daughter in fifth grade and a son in eighth grade. Her husband is a chef and she sells rice. In her free time, she likes watching movies with her kids. Ten years ago, Srey Moch had an ear infection that caused the ear drum in her right ear to perforate. Because of this, Srey Moch experiences ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly at work and frequently experiences discomfort. Srey Moch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Moch said, "I hope my hearing will improve after surgery and I can do more during work."