Pong is a cheerful 11-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampot Province with his parents and two siblings. His father works as a reporter at a radio station, and his mother stays at home to care for the family and manage household tasks. He is the middle child of three children. He is in the fifth grade and enjoys mathematics. He dreams of becoming an army officer when he grows up. During his free time, he enjoys playing football with his friends in the village and likes eating fried onions with beef. Pong has camptodactyly of the left thumb, a congenital condition affecting the proximal phalanx of his left first finger. This limits the movement of his thumb and causes pain when he tries to bend it. This affects his ability to use his hand normally for schoolwork, daily activities, and play. Pong's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. On May 20th, Pong will undergo surgery on his hand that will improve his strength and mobility. Now, he needs help to fund this $582 procedure. Pong's mother said, “I pray that this surgery will help straighten his finger, improve its movement, and allow him to use his hand more normally and confidently in his daily life.”

Davin is 26 years old and a mother of one from Cambodia. She lives in Kampong Speu province with her three-year-old daughter and her elderly mother. Her husband currently works in Korea and sends money home to support the family. Before her injury, she worked in a garment factory to help provide for her household. In her free time, she takes care of household chores and plants vegetables around her home. Two years ago, Davin was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a closed fracture of her right proximal tibia. After the accident, she immediately underwent an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. Her leg was immobilized in a cast for two weeks, and the stitches were removed during the second week. Over time, her foot gradually became stiff. The metal plates were removed, but she developed an equinus foot deformity, causing her to walk on her tiptoes. This condition makes it difficult for her to walk long distances and causes pain during daily activities. Seeking further help, she traveled two hours to our medical partner's care center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for evaluation and treatment. At CSC, she will receive specialized care to correct the position of her foot. With proper treatment and recovery, the surgery is expected to help straighten her foot, reduce pain, and allow her to walk more comfortably and return to her daily activities. She can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $482 more to fund her procedure and care. Davin said, “After the surgery, I hope this treatment will help me straighten my foot so I can walk normally again and return to my daily life without pain.”

Muluwerk is a 28-year-old woman from Ethiopia. She and her husband have three young children—two sons and a daughter. Muluwerk has been facing a quiet, painful battle with a bone infection known as osteomyelitis. As a young mother caring for her children and home, she spends her days taking on physically demanding tasks. Muluwerk experiences pain, swelling, and other worrisome symptoms, making each day a showcase of her resilience. Muluwerk visited our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital (SWGH), for help. After review, her doctors have recommended that she undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, her condition can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on April 8th, Muluwerk will undergo repair surgery at SWGH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate her symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. SWGH is requesting $900 to fund her procedure. Muluwerk said, "I am hoping to end this four-year cycle of suffering once and for all. By getting my mobility back, I can finally put all my energy into building a bright future for my family, free from the shadow of this recurring illness."