Saphas is a 10-year-old student from Uganda. He is a tall, brilliant, and smart young boy who lives with his grandmother. Saphas is in primary school class 3. At home, he likes helping with chores like cooking and fetching firewood. His dream is to be a nurse in the future. Since last month, Saphas has experienced a swelling on his private parts. He feels pain when passing urine and his grandmother is worried about the swelling. At Nyakibale hospital, he was diagnosed with a right hydrocele and requires a hydrocelectomy (hydrocele repair surgery). Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo a hydrocelectomy at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $146 to fund Saphas's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Saphas' guardian says “He is the only one we have to take care of us at home, his poor health worries me but with your support, I will be happy to see him well again.”

Leap is a chatty, two-year-old with a big smile. He lives with his parents and two older sisters in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Leap does not yet attend school, and likes playing with toys and falling asleep in his mother's lap. His father repairs cars for a living, while his mother is a homemaker. Leap's delivery was a difficult one, during which he suffered from an injury known as shoulder dystocia, which occurs when one or both of a baby's shoulders gets caught inside the mother's pelvis during childbirth. This often results in a brachial plexus palsy, when the neck of the infant is stretched during the birth process. The nerves responsible for providing feeling and movement in Leap's shoulder, arm, and hand have been affected, leaving Leap unable to move his right hand. Fortunately, on December 15th, specialty surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will perform a tendon transfer, to improve Leap's shoulder function and the use of his hand. After surgery and rehabilitation at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre, surgeons hope that Leap will have movement in his shoulder, and be able to use his hand. Leap's family needs your help to fund the $572 cost of the procedure, the hospitalization, and Leap's rehabilitation. Leap's mother said: "I hope Leap will be able to move his hand after surgery and use it well."

Tek Ay is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer from southern Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Tek Ay and her husband live near their oldest daughter, who works as a food seller in the local market. Tek Ay shared that she enjoys cooking and listening to monks pray on the radio. About two years ago, Tek Ay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out on her own. When Tek Ay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 31st, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Tek Ay said: "I hope I can I go outside by myself and see faces well again. I want to help my daughter take care of my grandchildren."