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.”

Vichana is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and younger siblings, who are also students. His father works as an electronics technician, while his mother runs a grocery business. Math is his favorite subject, and he enjoys playing football with his friends. He hopes to become a teacher one day. In November 2024, Vichana fractured his left leg after falling while playing sports. He was treated at a Government Hospital, where doctors placed a metal plate and screws in his left femur to stabilize the fracture and support healing. His fracture has now healed, and he can walk without pain. However, the hardware remains in his left leg and causes ongoing discomfort, making him feel bothered during his daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 3rd, Vichana will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will relieve the discomfort caused by the hardware and allow his leg to feel more natural and comfortable as he returns to sports and other activities. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $278 more to fund his procedure and care. Vichana said, “I hope removing the plate and screws will get rid of the discomfort and make my leg feel more comfortable. I look forward to continuing my studies, playing sports, and enjoying my daily activities without feeling bothered by the hardware.”

German is a 70-year-old father of seven from Malawi, who has spent most of his life doing whatever work he can find to keep his family going. Some days there is work, and some days there is not, but he has always tried to provide for his household with what little he earns. Two months ago, German started experiencing difficulty passing urine which has affected his comfort, sleep, and ability to work. Hopeful for assistance, he went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). He was given medication and advised to return for a follow up review. During his follow up clinic, doctors confirmed that medication alone would not be enough for treatment, and have recommended an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function. For German, hearing that surgery could help him was a relief. However, that relief was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the cost. With limited income from casual work and farming, the family has no realistic way of affording the surgery cost. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund German's procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on July 9th and, once completed, it will hopefully help him regain his health, return to his daily activities, and continue supporting his family. “I have worked all my life with my own hands, and I still want to be able to help my family. This illness has made even simple things difficult. I am praying that I can receive this surgery and live with comfort again,” German said.