Elibariki is a playful and friends 10-year-old boy. He is the third born child in a family of five children. Elibariki has not started school yet because his parents shared that he cannot walk for a long distance due to his foot. The only school in their village is a long-distance walk for Elibariki and too far for him to manage. Elibariki’s parents are small-scale farmers who depend entirely on their harvest for their food and sell a few of the harvest to get money for other commodities. Elibariki was involved in a fire accident when he was three years old. At home, they have an open fireplace outside their house that serves as a cooking area. His mother had prepared breakfast that morning and there were still a few charcoals burning below the hot ashes. Elibariki and his siblings were playing around the fireplace when Elibariki accidentally stepped into the fire with his left foot. Access to medical care was out of reach for their family, so his parents treated him using herbal medicines. Now he is having difficulty walking. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Elibariki receive treatment. On March 15th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery and he will be able to walk much better and without pain and discomfort. Now, their family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Elibariki’s father says, “We always hoped one day we would find the money to take him to a hospital.”

Sreyna is a 27-year-old woman who has been married for seven years. Together they have a five-year-old daughter in primary school. Sreyna works at a government office, while her husband is an electrician for a construction company in the capital of Phnom Penh. When Sreyna was ten years old, she developed an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, in her right ear to perforate. As a result, she has been experiencing chronic pain in her right ear, as well as headaches and ringing noise for many years. She has difficulty hearing things clearly, which complicates her communication with others at work and home. She visited several hospitals for treatments over the years but has still been unable to find relief. Even if her symptoms stop for a while, her hearing is still impacted so she cannot communicate well. Consequently, Sreyna shared that she feels shy amongst her co-workers. Overall, the perforation causes Sreyna to feel ill often, which makes it hard for her to work and support her family. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Sreyna receive the treatment she needs to finally heal. On March 9th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $464 to fund this procedure, including Sreyna's medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sreyna shared, "I hope that my hearing will improve and I will stop having ear infections. I want to be a good mother and not miss so much work."

Alvin is a jovial four-year-old in nursery school. Alvin is the firstborn in a family of two children. Alvin's father used to work in an engineering company as a casual laborer, but lost his job during the onset of Covid-19. He now does jobs around their home area to provide for the family. Alvin's mother is a stay-at-home mom. Late last year, his father noticed some swelling in Alvin's abdominal area. Alvin was examined at a nearby hospital and diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. Alvin was booked for surgery but they would have to wait for his treatment. A friend referred them to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids Hospital as an alternative. Upon arrival, Alvin was examined and diagnosed with cryptorchidism. If left untreated, Alvin has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Alvin's family does not have medical insurance and can not raise the required amount of money to fund Alvin’s hospital bill. Alvin will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 11th. AMH is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Alvin’s father says, “Despite the financial struggles that we are going through, I know that God will provide the required amount of money to cater for my son’s bill.”