Magdalena is a two-year-old toddler from Tanzania. Her family depends on crop cultivation for both sustenance and income. Three of Magdalena’s siblings are school-going. In 2022, tragedy struck as Magdalena sustained severe burns on her hip, extending down to her thigh, as a result of an accident with a hot stove while she was playing. Although she required medical attention for the extensive burn wounds, her family's financial circumstances prevented them from affording extended hospital care for her. Consequently, Magdalena received only initial first aid and continued her treatment at home. Unfortunately, as her wound healed, her thigh became fused to her waist, impairing her ability to use her right leg. Since then, Magdalena’s family has been struggling to find proper treatment for her condition. During one of our medical partner care center's outreach visits, the team met Magdalena and her family and recognized the severity of her situation. The family was directed to Kafika House, where a plastic surgery camp was being held. Despite the arduous journey of over nine hours, they arrived seeking hope and help. Upon examination, Magdalena was diagnosed by a plastic surgeon who determined that she would require a release procedure to separate her thigh from her waist. However, due to the complexity of her treatment, the surgeon has clearly communicated the possibility of amputating her leg if complications arise during the surgery. Magdalena is scheduled for surgery March 7th and her family is requesting help in raising $1,088 for surgery and postoperative care. Magdalena’s mother says: “I hope my daughter’s treatment will go well and that she will be able to walk after she completes her treatment.”

Vin is a 16-year-old teenage boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his older sister in Kampong Speu Province. His mother is a housewife and his father is a rice farmer. His 21-year-old sister has a job at a clothes factory in the province. Vin dropped out of school in 7th grade and now helps his father on the rice farm. Vin's favorite meal is fried pork. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer. When Vin was one year old, he suffered a hot water burn on his left hand, which resulted in skin contractures. This occurs when the burn scar matures, thickens, and tightens, preventing movement. After the accident, Vin's mother took him to a nearby health center, but she couldn't afford further treatment due to money issues. Burn scar contractures have developed slowly around his hand, tightening the skin and making it difficult for Vin to use his hand. When Vin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the dexterity and use of his left hand. Vin's family has contributed $40 to his healthcare and needs help to raise $455 more to fund this procedure. Vin said, "I hope I can move my fingers again and help my father on our rice farm. I want to support the family so my father does not have to work so hard."

Pisey is a 12-year-old, seventh-grade student from Cambodia. Pisey's father works long hours as a truck driver and her mother stays home to care for Pisey and her two younger siblings. Pisey's favorite subject is math and she wants to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time, she enjoys reading books. Pisey has been experiencing frequent and recurrent sore throats, accompanied by a fever and difficulty swallowing. The frequent sicknesses often lead to missed school days. Pisey 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 Pisey, which is scheduled to take place on March 21st. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Pisey of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Pisey's mother said, "After surgery, we hope Pisey can swallow better to eat her food and she can return to school."