Channy is a bright 11-year-old girl. Residing in Takeo province, she shares a home with her parents and younger brother. Her family's livelihood revolves around rice farming, with some vegetable crops to add to their diet. Currently in the 6th grade, she enjoys Khmer history and English. Looking towards the future, she would like to become a teacher when she grows up. When she is at home, she enjoys playing with dolls and eating her mother's fried pork with rice. For four years, Channy has been experiencing a sore throat with difficulty swallowing and sleeping at night. She does not sleep well and has missed school. She has trouble eating and gaining weight due to a sore throat. Her mother bought medicine from the local pharmacy, but it did not help. Channy was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Channy, which is scheduled to take place on January 3rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Channy of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Her mother shared: "I hope Channy stops having throat infections after the operation. We hope she sleeps and eats better than before."

Festus is a three-month-old infant from Kenya. His mother gave birth to him while she was still in high school, and she had to discontinue her studies to care for him. Festus and his mother were driven out of their home by his grandfather, and although a relative has provided them with shelter, they lack the financial means to support themselves or cover their medical expenses. Festus' mother got to know about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids, through a mobile clinic in their locality, following which they were referred to the hospital for treatment. At BethanyKids, Festus was diagnosed with spina bifida, a congenital neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Festus is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Festus receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at BethanyKids will perform a spina bifida closure surgery to alleviate the risks associated with the condition, allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Now, Festus' family needs help to fund this $1,151 procedure. Festus’ mother says “It is very painful seeing him with the swelling at the back. I wish to see him healed so he can grow up as other children.”

Hoan is a 42-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Cham province in Cambodia. She lives with one of her younger sisters who works at a small grocery store. Despite the long hours spent working in the rice fields, Hoan finds solace in traditional Cambodian music and keeping up with current events through news updates on her phone. About one year ago, Hoan developed a cataract in her right eye, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. The cataract has been causing her photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She is constantly worried about falling when walking due to her low vision, and no longer ventures out on her own. When Hoan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 1st, 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. Hoan is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment and needs help raising $153 more to fund the procedure. Hoan says: "I hope I can see more clearly after surgery, so I am able to work better, and start helping out at my sister's shop."