Reaksa is an 11-year-old student from Cambodia. He is the oldest of two children and lives with his parents and younger brother in Kampong Chhnang Province. His parents work as rice farmers to support the family. He is currently in Grade 6 and enjoys studying mathematics. In his free time, he likes watching football and sometimes plays as a goalkeeper with his friends. His favorite meal is fish and vegetable sour soup. Reaksa has had a condition affecting his right leg since he started walking. It is due to a congenital tightness, which has gradually affected the movement and alignment of his lower limb. The condition has caused pain in his right knee and hip, an abnormal gait, and difficulty squatting or sitting cross-legged. It affects his ability to walk comfortably and participate in normal daily and school activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Reaksa receive treatment. On June 4th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to improve his leg movement, reduce pain, and help him walk more normally. Now, he needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Reaksa's mother said, “It has been very worrying to see my son in pain, especially as he has difficulty walking and doing simple daily activities. I just hope he can get the right treatment and recover soon.”

Rabiya is a 19-year-old bright and determined university student from Ethiopia. Rabiya shares that being in university is a truly exciting chapter of her life. Between her university studies and being a rock for her two brothers, she stays incredibly busy. But lately, a cyst on her left wrist has been causing her much discomfort. Five months ago, Rabiya felt a sudden, distracting tingling and itchy sensation in the wrist. What started as minor swelling quickly took a turn for the worse; within just a month, the discomfort transitioned into severe, persistent pain. For a busy college student, the pain is affecting even the simplest tasks. Typing up a paper, scribbling notes during a lecture, or carrying heavy textbooks across campus became difficult, which has affected her studies. Rabiya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 14th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Rabiya needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. She says: "More than anything, I’m looking forward to the freedom of moving my wrist without a second thought. I can’t wait to dive back into my studies and my role as a sister, fully present and pain-free."

Ilhaam is a seven-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her parents and her younger sister, the only surviving children after her parents tragically lost their first set of twins shortly after birth. Ilhaam is a cheerful child who enjoys playing with other children in her neighborhood. She loves singing and dancing. Ilhaam’s father works as a primary school teacher and is the sole provider for the family. Although he works hard to support his household, the cost of surgery is beyond what he can afford. Her parents are hopeful that with support, their daughter will receive the treatment she needs to walk comfortably and return to enjoying childhood activities. Ilhaam has been diagnosed with unilateral left valgus, a condition where the left knee angles inward. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. Over time, Ilhaam's condition has worsened, and she has begun experiencing pain while standing or walking for long periods. Her parents first sought help at a nearby health facility where they were told that her bones might be weak and she was given calcium supplements. Despite following the advice, her condition did not improve. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $631 to fund treatment for Ilhaam. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Ilhaam's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Ilhaam's father says, "I only wish to see my daughter walk, dance and play without pain, and grow up like other children."