Gezu is a 20-year-old man from Ethiopia and a determined ninth-grade student. He works hard to balance his education with the work needed to support his family, including his four brothers and three sisters. Six months ago, he suffered a severe electrical burn to his left palm while trying to fix an electrical issue. Although he received immediate care at a nearby clinic, the treatment was not sufficient to ensure a full recovery. Due to severe scarring, his palm is locked into a claw-like shape, making it impossible to hold the tools needed for farming. This injury has left him frustrated and physically weak compared to his siblings. Between the demands of work and the trauma of the accident, he has fallen behind in his studies and lost his self-esteem. When Gezu learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On February 18th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, this will allow him to use his hand for planting and return to his education. He is determined to succeed in his classes and work alongside the other staff members in the fields once again. Now, he needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Gezu said, "I believe this surgery will give me back the life I was building. More than anything, I want to work the land alongside my family again. I don't want to just watch anymore—I want to use my own hands to do the work that used to come so naturally to me."

Heang is a 41-year-old woman working in the crushed stone industry. She's from Takeo province in Cambodia. Heang is married and has two sons but no grandchildren yet. Her husband also works in the crushed stone industry, and her sons are students. In her free time, Heang likes to cook her favorite foods. About three years ago, due to trauma from a stone at work, the retina of Heang's right eye detached. This is causing her partial blindness and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere alone. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $706 to fund her procedure. Heang said, "I hope that after surgery my vision will improve, allowing me to see clearly, recognize things more easily, and return to work."

Tennyson is a playful 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is currently in grade 3 and loves drawing and playing with friends. His father is a construction worker, while his mother is a home maker. Tennyson has clubfoot of right foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Tennyson was also born with a hearing impairment. His mother first noticed that his right foot was bending when he was three years old. “He struggled to walk and would often complain of pain, and as he grew, it only got worse,” she recalls. They sought help at a nearby hospital but were informed that the condition could not be treated there. With no clear solution, they returned home. As time passed, the condition worsened. The pain increased, Tennyson's foot began to swell, and walking became more difficult. Eventually, Tennyson had to stop going to school because he could no longer walk. One of his teachers grew concerned and reached out to the family. After learning about Tennyson’s condition, the teacher informed his mother about a mobile clinic by AIC CURE Hospital, where Tennyson could undergo a review. At the clinic, Tennyson was assessed and scheduled for serial casting and a clubfoot surgery. He has been undergoing the casting and is now ready for the repair surgery, which has been scheduled for May 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Tennyson's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will gradually straighten and restore his ability to walk. Tennyson's mother says: “I am praying that his foot will be straightened, so that he can walk without pain, go back to school, and live like other children.”