Sam On is a 65-year-old former soldier from Kampong Thom, Cambodia. He lives with his wife, a grocery seller, and their two children. His eldest child helps with household responsibilities, while his youngest child is studying in Grade 7. Since retiring from military service, he has relied on a small government pension to support his family. In his free time, he enjoys watching the news on his phone. In 1997, Sam On stepped on a landmine, resulting in a traumatic injury that required a below-knee amputation of his right leg. Following rehabilitation, he was able to use a prosthetic limb and regain mobility for many years. However, over the past several months, he developed a chronic infected wound at the amputation stump. The wound has produced persistent discharge and caused pain and discomfort, making it difficult for him to wear his prosthetic leg and move around independently. His wife has been caring for the wound at home, but despite her efforts, the infection did not improve. As the condition worsened and began interfering with his daily activities, Sam On sought medical attention and was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for specialized care. Doctors diagnosed him with an infected right below-knee amputation stump. On June 3rd, Sam On will undergo stump revision surgery, costing $478. The procedure will remove infected tissue, promote healing, relieve pain, and help him use his prosthetic leg comfortably again. Sam On said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to receive treatment. I hope my stump will heal well, the pain and discharge will stop, and I can use my prosthetic leg comfortably again.”

Michelsa is a young student from Haiti. She is in the first grade and likes art and music. Michelsa lives with her mother, grandmother, and two siblings in a city on the west coast of Haiti. Her mother sews school uniforms for a living. Michelsa has a cardiac condition called pulmonary stenosis. One of the four valves in Michelsa's heart is too narrow, making it difficult for blood to flow through it and leading to heart failure. Michelsa will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 11th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a balloon on the end of a catheter to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Michelsa's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Michelsa's family overseas. Michelsa's mother shares, "Our family is very hopeful that after this surgery, we can let my daughter run and play without worrying about her health."

Siya is a 35-year-old salon worker from Cambodia. She is married and lives in Battambang Province with her husband, who works as an ice seller. They have two children; the eldest is in Grade 6, and the younger one is in Grade 1. In her free time, she enjoys planting vegetables around her home. Siya had a medical incident when she was three years old, leaving her with a muscle contracture and abnormal gait. She has difficulty walking as it causes her pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Siya receive treatment. On May 18th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to improve her walking ability, reduce pain and functional limitation, and help her regain a more comfortable gait and better quality of life. Siya can contribute $50, but needs help raising $522 more to fund her procedure and care. Siya said, “After the treatment, I hope that I will be able to walk normally again without pain or difficulty, and live my daily life with confidence without being teased by others.”