Akshay is 18 years old and lives in Palamu, Jharkhand, India. He lives with his parents and elder sister. His father is a farmer. He studied until the 8th grade. When Akshay was six months old, he fell into a traditional cooking stove and burned his right hand. The burn caused a contracture, where the skin healed tightly, and over time, his hand became restricted in movement. He has lived with this since he was a baby. The contracture on his right hand makes daily tasks difficult. At 18, with a father who farms and a family that depends on physical work, this has been a real limitation in his day-to-day life. When Akshay learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, he and his mother traveled 6.5 hours to receive treatment to release the post-burn contracture of his right hand. On July 1st, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so he can regain function and mobility in his hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Akshay shared, "I want my hand to work properly so that I can help my family."

Gutema is a 23-year-old man from Ethiopia, married with one daughter. He works as a day laborer, a physically demanding job that requires him to use his full strength and mobility every day, typically at construction sites. Recently, Gutema was diagnosed with a severe infection in his thighbone that causes painful swelling. This condition has left him unable to perform the physical tasks his work demands. Because his income depends entirely on his ability to work each day, his family is now in a challenging situation. Without his mobility, his livelihood and his family’s stability is now at serious risk. The bone infection also causes him intense pain. Following Gutema's review at our medical partner's care center Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that he undergoes a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on June 4th, Gutema will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund Gutema's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. "My family cannot afford to lose my ability to work, as I am responsible for everything in our home. The pain and the stress of not being able to provide for them is overwhelming. This surgery is the key to saving my livelihood," said Gutema.

Htee is a 22-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, mother, daughter, and three cousins in a refugee camp in Thailand. Her daughter and cousins are all students in the camp. Her husband works as a day laborer, and her mother is retired. In her free time, she loves to weave Karen traditional clothes and spend time with her family. Htee is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Htee undergo a C-Section on November 3rd at our medical partner's care center, Tha Song Yang Hospital. This procedure will cost $1500, and Htee needs your support. Htee said, "Without your help, I could not afford the cost of the surgery. Thank you for giving me and my baby a chance for a healthy future.”