Sophea is 18 years old and a young factory worker from Cambodia. She lives in a small village in Battambang province with her parents, who are cassava farmers. She is the middle child of three siblings. Her older brother works as a construction worker to help support the family, and her younger sister is studying in Grade 5. Due to financial difficulties, she stopped studying in Grade 10. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and listening to music. Four months ago, Sophea was involved in a traffic accident when another motorcycle suddenly collided with her, causing paralysis to her left hand. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She is unable to lift or properly use her left hand and experiences pain and stiffness in her fingers. This makes it difficult for her to perform daily activities such as dressing, cooking, and holding objects. The weakness and discomfort forced her to stop working, adding financial stress to her family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sophea receive treatment. She traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On February 26th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, The treatment will help improve movement and strength in her left hand, reduce pain and stiffness, and gradually restore hand function. Sophea's family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $637 more to fund her surgery and care. Sophea said, “Since the accident, I have not been able to use my left hand like before. I hope this treatment will help me regain strength so I can return to my normal life and support my family again.”

Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Sonich is an 18-year-old from Cambodia. He lives in a small village in Ratanakiri Province with his parents, who are rice farmers. He has one younger sister who is a kindergarten student. Because of his injury and the financial difficulties his family faces, he was forced to drop out of school in Grade 7, even though he wished to continue his education like other children his age. In his free time, he enjoys playing football with his friends in the village. Eight months ago, Sonich was involved in a traffic accident with another motorbike that caused paralysis of his left arm. After the accident, he was taken to a provincial hospital, where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery for a left clavicle fracture. Later, he noticed that his left arm had become very weak. His family brought him to several hospitals in the city, where doctors told him that he had nerve damage. However, the cost of treatment was prohibitive for his family. After six months, the metal implant was removed at the provincial hospital. Following that, he tried physiotherapy and Khmer traditional medicine, hoping his arm would recover, but unfortunately, his condition did not improve. Sonich learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought medical advice. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He experiences significant weakness in his right arm and cannot lift it or feel sensation from his elbow to his fingers. Sometimes he also experiences pain and stiffness in his fingers. This condition makes it difficult for him to perform daily activities and prevents him from continuing his education. Sonich traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On March 12th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain movement and be able to use his arm more normally in daily activities. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $637 more to fund his procedure and care. Sonich said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to receive this treatment. I hope my arm will become stronger so I can return to my daily activities and have hope for my future again.”