Both is a 23-month-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and is their only child. His father is an electrician and his mother works as a chef in a restaurant. He enjoys playing with toy cars and balls, and likes eating soup and mangoes. Both was born with polydactyly of both hands. This means that he has an extra thumb on both hands (bilateral thumb polydactyly). The condition affects his ability to grasp and hold objects properly. His parents are concerned that it may also affect his hand function and self-confidence as he grows older. Fortunately, on May 19th, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digit. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, the extra thumbs will be removed, improving hand function and allowing more normal grasping, development, and daily hand activities. His father said, “I hope my son can use his hands normally and grow up with confidence, without feeling shy about his appearance.”

Thiago is a five-year-old boy from Colombia. He lives in Yarumal, Antioquia, with his family. He is intelligent, charismatic, and very friendly. His joy and curiosity shine through every day at preschool, where he interacts with his classmates with enthusiasm and warmth. When he grows up, he dreams of becoming a great doctor to help those in need. Since birth, Thiago has had an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. Surgery has been recommended to correct the hernia and prevent possible future complications. Umbilical hernias cause mild discomfort or tenderness around the navel, especially when crying, coughing, or straining. It often causes discomfort that prevents Thiago from carrying out daily activities such as playing, jumping, and enjoying his childhood. It can, in many cases, lead to tenderness in the area and an increased risk of complications if left untreated. Fortunately, on July 28th, Thiago will undergo hernia repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Thiago's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow him to live more comfortably. Thiago's mother said, "As Thiago’s mother, I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. The support you’re providing for my son’s surgery means so much more than just financial assistance; it gives us hope again and makes us feel that we’re not alone during this difficult time. We’ve been waiting a long time for this treatment, as we’re confident it will improve his quality of life, prevent complications, and allow him to go about his daily activities just like any other child his age."

Chhuong is a 45-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Prey Veaeng Province with his wife, who manages household duties and takes care of their three children, all of whom are students. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In April 2024, Chhuong sustained a left distal femur injury following a fall from stairs, resulting in a fracture in his left distal femur. He previously underwent surgical fixation of the left distal femur with a plate and screws in a hospital in Thailand to stabilize the fracture and promote healing. About six months after the surgery, he slipped and fell again. Since then, he has been experiencing left thigh pain for the past six months, associated with loosening of the implant. The condition has caused difficulty in walking, and he currently relies on crutches for mobility. It significantly affects his daily activities and work capacity. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 10th, Chhuong will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help relieve pain, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility, allowing him to walk more comfortably and return to his normal daily and work activities. He can contribute $50, but needs help raising $328 more to fund his procedure and care. Chhuong said, “Today, I hope the surgery to remove the hardware goes well. I look forward to the next steps in my treatment so that my pain can improve and I can walk more comfortably again.”