Meseret is a brave 24-year-old woman from Ethiopia who is independent and works hard in the flower industry to make a living. Since she was two years old, she has lived with the effects of a serious burn accident. Because her family could only provide basic care at home when it happened, her scars have become very tight over the years. This tightness has pulled her skin so much that she can no longer move her arm or hand freely, making her daily manual labor much more difficult. Twenty-two years ago, as a young child, Meseret suffered a traumatic burn after falling into a fire. Due to a lack of immediate medical access at the time, the injury was managed exclusively with traditional home remedies rather than clinical hospital care. Working in the flower industry is physically demanding for Meseret. It requires constant reaching, careful sorting, and a steady hand needed to pluck petals or apply protective chemicals. For this young woman, the tightness in her skin is a major daily hurdle that affects her speed and physical comfort. Even though Meseret has struggled to move easily for a long time, she is incredibly determined. She consistently pushes herself to do extra work, hoping to show her supervisors that she is a hardworking staff member and to ensure her job is secure every single day. When Meseret learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, she traveled for many hours to seek treatment. Fortunately, Meseret will receive treatment on March 19th. The surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore a natural range of motion, which will be a life-changing milestone, marking the first time since she was a toddler that her limb has moved without restriction. This change will allow Meseret to fulfill her duties in the flower field without the persistent physical strain caused by the contractures. For her, this surgery is the key to finally working with comfort and moving her body the way it was meant to move. Now, our medical partner is requesting $500 to fund this procedure. "I have lived so long with these struggles that I forgot what it feels like to be whole. I am so excited to finally do the things that used to be impossible for me. I want to work in the fields and move my arm freely, leaving behind the pain and the limits that have defined my life since I was a child," said Meseret.

Magret is 48 years old and a single mother to four boys from Malawi. She is a small-scale farmer, and sometimes she does some casual work in people's homes for additional income. Nine months ago, Magret started to experience abdominal pains, dizziness, and bleeding, which led to anemia and affected her daily activities. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Magret's surgery. On July 1st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Magret will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Magret looks forward to enjoying life with her children, who have always been her support system in thick and thin times. She believes her boys are the reason for her living. Magret shared, "Kindly help me to get better. My symptoms have taken away my comfort and have affected my life."

Chilina is an eight-year-old girl from Cambodia. She is the only child in her family and lives with her parents in Battambang Province. Her father is an army, and her mother stays at home to manage household tasks. She is in the third grade and enjoys painting and reading fairy tales. Her favorite subject is mathematics, and she hopes to become a nurse when she grows up. Chilina was born with polydactyly of her right hand. This means that she was born with an extra thumb on her right hand. The extra thumb and stiffness of her right thumb make some hand movements more difficult. Although she can grip and pinch objects, the condition affects the appearance of her hand and causes her to feel shy when classmates and friends tease her. Fortunately, on July 21st, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digit. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, the removal of the extra thumb will improve the appearance and function of her right hand. She will be able to use her hand more comfortably, feel more confident, and participate in daily activities without feeling different from other children. Chilina's mother said, “Seeing my daughter feel shy because of her hand breaks my heart. I hope this surgery will help her feel confident and happy as she grows up.”