Aisan is a one-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest of two children. His parents are farmers who grow maize for household consumption and sell the surplus at the local market to earn income and meet their family’s needs. Aisan was born with clubfoot on both feet, a condition in which both feet are twisted inward. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. His parents were concerned about his condition and the challenges he might face in the future. Aisan is scheduled to begin treatment through manipulation and serial casting. He will subsequently undergo a tenotomy procedure to help improve foot alignment. Through this treatment, Aisan will have an opportunity to develop with properly aligned feet, allowing him to wear shoes and walk comfortably as he grows. Fortunately, Aisan's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on October 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Aisan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will have a better chance to enjoy childhood activities and pursue his dreams without the limitations associated with untreated clubfoot. “We are grateful that Aisan was identified early and given a chance for treatment. We hope he will grow up healthy and walk comfortably like other children,” says Aisan's mother.

Lin is a 35-year-old fish seller from Prey Veng province. He is married and has one son and one daughter. He lives together, his wife is also a fish seller, and his children are students. In his free time, he likes to listen to the news on his phone and play volleyball. About one year ago, Lin developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 10, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Lin said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go back to selling fish well again, and I can drive my motorcycle and bring my children to school easily, and can go far places well."

Seav is six years old and a second-grade student from Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings and lives with her parents, who are rice farmers in Prey Veng Province. Her older brother is in Grade 8, while her younger sister is three years old. She enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes playing with toys with her cousins and sister. Her favorite foods are caramelized pork and eggs. When she was nine months old, Seav suffered a hot-water burn to her right hand. After the burn healed, scar tissue gradually formed and caused contractures in her right middle and ring fingers, along with a shortened web space. The tight scars restrict movement in her right middle and ring fingers and make it difficult for her to use her right hand for writing. This can make schoolwork and other activities that require hand movement more challenging. When Seav's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve movement in her right hand, making it easier for her to write and use her hand during school and daily activities. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seav's mother said, “Her hand has been tight since she was very young, and now it is making writing more difficult for her at school. I hope the surgery will help her move her fingers more freely so she can write, learn, and use her hand with greater ease.”