Chakriya is a 39-year-old man from Takaeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in kindergarten, and his youngest child is two years old. His wife stays at home to look after the children and manage household tasks. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home and listening to music. For the past 14 years, Chakriya has been living with ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and inflammation, especially the base of the spine and pelvis. Around one year ago, Chakriya began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2014 with the help of our medical partner. Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Chakriya decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On January 16th, he will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will cost $1500, including surgery and post-op care. Chakriya and his family can contribute $50, and need support for the remaining cost. Surgeons will operate on his right hip to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work. Chakriya said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can do my job properly."

Koemsoeun is a hardworking father and former motorbike taxi driver from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his wife, who sells vegetables at a local market, and their three children. The eldest serves in the army, the second helps their mother at the market, and the youngest is in Grade 8. In his free time, he plants vegetables around his home. Two years ago, Koemsoeun was involved in a traffic accident that injured his right proximal tibia. After the accident, he was taken to a hospital in Vietnam, where he underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. However, the wound did not heal properly and was infected. He sought treatment at a government hospital in Cambodia, where the metal implant was removed. Despite this treatment, his condition did not improve, and the wound continues to cause pain, swelling, and infection. When Koemsoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the damaged and infected tissue from his wound. After recovery, he is expected to walk normally again, reduce pain and infection, and resume his daily activities and ability to support his family. Koemsoeun can contribute $342, but needs help raising the remaining $342 to fund his proceure and care. Koemsoeun said, “I am very grateful for the support that helps me receive this treatment. I hope my leg will heal so I can walk normally and support my family again.”

Zubeir is a 20-month-old baby from Kenya. His father takes on occasional environmental cleaning jobs offered by the government, work that may come only once or twice a year. Seven months after Zubeir was born, his parents began to notice something that unsettled their hearts. Zubeir has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Zubeir has been experiencing his head growing larger than normal. They rushed him to a nearby medical facility in their desperation for answers. The family was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $719 to cover the cost of surgery for Zubeir that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 12th and will drain the excess fluid from Zubeir's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Zubeir will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “Every day I see him, I see strength and possibility. I pray the surgery will help him shine even brighter,” Zubeir’s father shared.