Mesa is 10 years old and a Grade 4 student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger brother in Kompong Spue Province. His parents run a small shop where they take photos for students and print documents. He enjoys math at school, looks after his younger brother, and plays football with friends in his village. His favorite meal is lemongrass sour soup with eggs. When Mesa was one year old, he was burned by hot water, causing an injury to his left hand. He received a skin graft to the back of his hand at a governmental hospital, followed by a release of the fourth web space about a year later. He has since developed burn scar contractures between the second, third, and fourth fingers. The scars between his fingers restrict the spaces between them and make it difficult for him to fully straighten his left-hand fingers. He sometimes struggles to hold objects, and the appearance of his hand makes him feel shy around other people. Mesa's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help open the tight spaces between his fingers and improve the movement of his left hand, making it easier for him to straighten his fingers and hold things. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Mesa's father said, “I hope this surgery will help my son straighten his fingers and use his left hand more easily when holding things. I also hope that as his hand improves, he will feel less shy and more confident around other people.”

Allan is 48 years old and a widower from the Philippines. He is an auto mechanic helper and takes on other casual jobs to support his children's education and daily needs. Alan noticed a swelling near his jaw, causing him pain and discomfort. His children were concerned and urged him to seek treatment to address his symptoms and prevent other complications. Doctors recommend a parotidectomy, the surgical procedure to remove all or part of the parotid gland, which is the major salivary gland located in front of and below your ear. On June 19th, Alan will undergo surgery, and our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is asking for help to raise $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. After treatment, Alan should be able to go back to work and support his family. Alan shared, "I am grateful for this opportunity to receive free treatment. I look forward to recovering so I can continue working and providing for my children."

Heang is a 70-year-old woman from Cambodia. She used to sell vegetables at the market, but she has stopped working. She lives with her older sister and her nephew, who works as a trailer driver and supports their living expenses. For fun, she likes to go for walks and exercise. About three months ago, Heang developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On August 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Heang shared, "I hope my eye surgery will restore my sight so I can recognize my relatives, travel to places further away, and no longer worry about my eyes."