Theara is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her grandparents and her younger brother. Theara's grandparents have taken on the primary caregiver role, while her parents work in a factory a few hours away, regularly sending money to support their family. Theara was born with cerebral palsy, resulting in musculoskeletal difficulties, but she can still independently walk short distances and ride a bike. She loves biking with the kids in the village, and enjoys eating mangoes and watermelon. However, Theara has been experiencing crouch gait, a walking pattern characterized by excessive bending of the knees during the stance phase of walking. Over the last several months, she has struggled with difficulties in walking, sitting, and sleeping comfortably. Theara was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgery Centre. On March 7th, Theara will undergo osteotomy surgery to ease her discomfort and improve her mobility. Theara's family is requesting for your help to support the $469 procedure. Theara expressed her hope for better health so that she can participate in a local schooling program designed for children with disabilities.

Naw Paw is a 40 year-old woman who lives with her husband and her three daughters in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Province, Thailand. Naw Paw is originally from across the border in Karen State, Burma. Her family fled to the refugee camp in 2011 due to conflict happening between armed groups in her area. In the camp, Naw Paw’s family receives a cash card from the Border Consortium to purchase food. Naw Paw used to sell Mohhinga (a Burmese noodle) nearby school to cover for their basic needs. However, she stopped selling Mohhinga when she got this pregnant because she couldn’t handle the work well. Naw Paw’s family is struggling to make ends meet and feel lucky they receive free basic healthcare in the camp through Malteser International. Her husband is unemployed. All of her 3 children are students. During her free time, she loves to play with her children and listen to the music in her phone. Sometimes she will read books and help her daughters with their homework. Naw Paw is currently expecting her fourth child. Since Naw Paw got pregnant she is taking antenatal care regularly at the camp hospital. On January 18th, Naw Paw went back for the follow-up in the camp hospital and had an ultrasound which revealed that her baby is in the wrong position laying sideways and her doctors recommended that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Paw undergo a C-section on January 29th. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Naw Paw's family needs your support. Naw Paw said, “After I deliver my baby and recover from surgical wound, I will sell the Mohhinga (Burmese noodle) again to cover more of the financial needs for our family.”

Gasper is a thirteen-year-old resilient boy from Tanzania. He hails from Igwamadete village in the Singida region. Gasper is the eighth child in a family of nine. His parents, both farmers, work tirelessly cultivating food crops to make ends meet to help provide for the family. In June 2023, tragedy struck when Gasper was bitten by a snake on his right arm while he was asleep. His parents rushed him to the Igwamadete dispensary for immediate treatment, but unfortunately, the facility was not equipped to provide the specialized care he needed. Gasper was referred to the General Hospital in Dodoma and admitted for eight days. Following his stay at the hospital, Gasper was then taken to the Katavi region for local treatment, where he remained for four months. Despite their efforts, Gasper returned home to Singida with a developing contracture in his right elbow. This condition significantly limits his ability to engage in daily activities comfortably, including his studies. In their search for treatment, Gasper’s parents encountered another mother who had experienced a similar ordeal with her child. This compassionate woman directed them to Kafika House Center. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is now helping Gasper receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On December 13th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to help release the skin limiting the extension and flexing of his elbow. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Gasper says: “I can’t write comfortably because of my hand; I hope my hand will get back to normal.”