Mesa is 10 years old and a Grade 4 student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Kompong Spue Province. His parents run a small shop where they take photos for students and print documents. He enjoys math at school, looks after his younger brother, and plays football with friends in his village. His favorite meal is lemongrass sour soup with eggs. When Mesa was one year old, he was burned by hot water, causing an injury to his left hand. He received a skin graft to the back of his hand at a governmental hospital, followed by a release of the fourth web space about a year later. He has since developed burn scar contractures between the second, third, and fourth fingers. The scars between his fingers restrict the spaces between them and make it difficult for him to fully straighten his left-hand fingers. He sometimes struggles to hold objects, and the appearance of his hand makes him feel shy around other people. Mesa's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help open the tight spaces between his fingers and improve the movement of his left hand, making it easier for him to straighten his fingers and hold things. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Mesa's father said, “I hope this surgery will help my son straighten his fingers and use his left hand more easily when holding things. I also hope that as his hand improves, he will feel less shy and more confident around other people.”

Israel is a teenager from Malawi. He is the third-born child in a family of four children and is currently in Primary 8. His mother works in South Africa and is separated from his father. Israel lives with his father, who is a primary school teacher. Since 2024, Israel has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. He has frequently been absent from school because of pain and discomfort, which have significantly affected his daily activities and placed an additional burden on his father. Surgery has been recommended, but due to the family's financial circumstances, they are now seeking support. His father hopes that the surgical intervention will transform his son's life by relieving his symptoms and enabling him to concentrate fully on his education and future aspirations. Fortunately, on October 20th, Israel will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $627 to fund Israel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. "Kindly help my child get better so he can go back to school and concentrate," said Israel's father.

Htee is a 22-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, mother, daughter, and three cousins in a refugee camp in Thailand. Her daughter and cousins are all students in the camp. Her husband works as a day laborer, and her mother is retired. In her free time, she loves to weave Karen traditional clothes and spend time with her family. Htee is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Htee undergo a C-Section on November 3rd at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Htee needs your support. Htee said, "Without your help, I could not afford the cost of the surgery. Thank you for giving me and my baby a chance for a healthy future.”