Koemsing is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Sihanouk Province with her parents and older sister. Her father works as a construction worker, while her mother stays at home to care for the children and manage the household. She enjoys playing with toys with her older sister, and her favorite foods are sour fish soup and strawberries. When she was 10 months old, Koemsing accidentally sustained burns to both hands after coming into contact with fire while playing with her siblings. As her burns healed, severe scar contractures developed in both hands, causing stiffness and deformity. She has difficulty opening her hands, grasping objects, and performing everyday activities appropriate for her age. When Koemsing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the movement and function of her right hand. This surgery will help her grasp objects more easily, play more independently, and perform everyday activities with greater ease. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Koemsing's parents shared, “We hope this surgery will give our daughter the chance to use her hands more freely, become more independent, and enjoy the childhood every child deserves.”

Robert is a three-year-old boy from Malawi. He is a bright and playful little boy and the only child of his parents. Since birth, Robert has had an inguinal hernia. It causes pain and discomfort, preventing him from moving, walking, and playing comfortably. For three years, his mother has been worried about her son's health. Fortunately, on August 11th, Robert will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 to fund Robert's hernia repair surgery. Once completed, Robert is expected to live more comfortably. Robert’s mother shared, “I want to see Robert grow up without the pain he has known since he was a baby. I want him to run, play with other children, go to school, and enjoy his childhood without us always worrying about the swelling coming back. I believe after the surgery, he will have the chance to live a normal and happy life like other children.”

Sim is a 24-year-old vegetable seller from Kandal Province, Cambodia. He is single and the third of five siblings, with two sisters and two brothers. He lives with his parents, who are also vegetable sellers. In his free time, he enjoys playing football. About two months ago, Sim developed a chalazion in his right eye — a small inflamed cyst in the eyelid — causing itchiness, irritation, and swelling that has made it difficult for him to see clearly and work. Sim traveled three hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 20th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Sim's symptoms should improve. Sim can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Sim said, "I hope after surgery my eye lid stop swelling and I don’t worry about it anymore. I feel happy and would like to go back to selling vegetables well."