Vorleak is an 18-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Vihear Province with her parents, who work as rice farmers. She is the eldest of three siblings and is preparing to attend university soon. Her younger brother is in Grade 7, and her younger sister is in Grade 5. She enjoys reading books and listening to music. Two months ago, Vorleak was involved in a road traffic accident that resulted in a severe injury to the nerves of her right arm, causing weakness and loss of function. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She is unable to use her right arm and hand normally due to weakness and paralysis affecting her shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. The condition has significantly limited her ability to perform daily activities independently and has prevented her from attending university. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Vorleak traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On June 11th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will regain independence in daily activities and increase her ability to pursue her education and future goals. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help to raise $712 to fund her procedure and care. Vorleak said, “I hope that after the surgery, my right arm and hand function will improve, allowing me to carry out daily activities independently and prepare for university.”

Kheang is a 50-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kandal Province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer. They have one daughter, who is married and has a son. In his free time, he enjoys caring for his ducks and chickens. Four months ago, Kheang had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Kheang experiences recurring ear discharge, mild ear pain, headaches, and hearing loss in his left ear. The chronic ear infection and perforated eardrum have affected his ability to hear clearly and caused recurring discomfort and discharge. These symptoms have made it more difficult for him to communicate with others, and carry out his daily activities comfortably. Kheang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 10th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear, where surgeons will close the perforation. Kheang is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment, and needs help raising $263 more to fund the procedure. He said, “I hope the surgery will repair my eardrum, prevent the recurring infections and ear discharge, reduce my discomfort, and improve my hearing so I can return to my daily activities more comfortably.”

George is a 10-year-old boy from Kenya who enjoys playing and learning new things. His mother is a casual worker who earns a small and irregular income from activities such as selling fruits. Her income is often barely enough to meet the family’s basic needs. George was born unable to perceive sound, which has made it difficult for him to make friends and participate in school. He has learned to lip read to communicate, but the limitations have left him feeling isolated in the classroom when the teacher addresses him but he cannot understand what is being asked of him. Doctors have recommended that George be fitted with hearing aids. They would give him an opportunity to improve his ability to access sound and communication, participate more meaningfully in school, interact with his peers, and communicate more easily with his mother and those around him. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. George is scheduled to be fitted with hearing aids on October 2nd, and he and his family need your help raising $1,171 in order to fund the devices. Hearing aids could help restore George's confidence and give him renewed hope for his education and future. "The hope of one day hearing my son call me ‘Mom’ has been restored,” George’s mother shared.