Channeth is a 37-year-old vegetable farmer and mother of three. She lives with her husband and children in a rural area just outside of the capital city of Phnom Penh. Her two sons attend a nearby school, and her 3-year-old daughter is still at home. Channeth's husband also works as a vegetable farmer. As a family, they like to make Cambodian desserts, and play in the village. When she was seven years old, Channeth had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. The torn ear drum is painful and causes discharge in the ear, which is often embarrassing. Also, Channeth cannot hear well, which makes it difficult to communicate clearly with others. Channeth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 8th, she will undergo a myringoplasty in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this surgery, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Channeth shared, "I want to have surgery so that I can stop having this problem and feel healthier and so I can care for my family."

Arkam is seven-year-old primary school student from Tanzania. He lives with his grandparents while his parents work in another region of the country. Both his grandparents along with his parents, work together to provide for his needs. However, the grandparents also care for three more grandchildren. Arkam was born with a congenital condition that limits the full use of his fingers on both hands. Despite making efforts to seek treatment, the family encountered difficulties due to the high cost of medical expenses. In 2023, they reached out to our medical partner's care center Kafika House and were invited for a review. Earlier this month, Arkam was brought to Kafika House by his grandfather for consultation. Specialist surgeons at the center have proposed a contracture release and skin graft to help him gain use of his fingers. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Arkam receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On March 6th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to enhance the functionality of his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Arkam’s grandfather says: “I hope my grandson will be able to use his hand because it will make it easier for him while in school.”

Mattana is an only child and lives with her parents in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. Her parents are rice farmers. She enjoys watching TV and eating homemade soup prepared by her mother. Mattana was born with cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move around and requires her to use a wheelchair. Cerebral palsy can make muscles and tendons tight. This tightness shortens the muscles and tendons over time. It can cause pain and create abnormalities in the tendons and muscles, affecting mobility. Using a wheelchair also increases her risk of pressure sores on her skin. In addition to her mobility challenges, she has a learning disability, is primarily non-verbal, and does not attend school. Because Mattana's condition is difficult to treat, she was referred by a national children's hospital to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Surgeons have determined that she would benefit from correction of her muscle spasticity - the abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle. This will eventually help her to stand and walk. On March 5th, Mattana will undergo an ankle, calf, hamstring, and Achilles tendon lengthening. Mattana's parents now need help with the cost of the $572 procedure. After surgery, they hope she can increase her range of motion, reduce pain, and make sitting, standing, and walking more comfortable. Mattana's mother said: "I hope my daughter feels better after surgery and can go to school like other children."