Gutema is a 23-year-old man from Ethiopia, married with one daughter. He works as a day laborer, a physically demanding job that requires him to use his full strength and mobility every day, typically at construction sites. Recently, Gutema was diagnosed with a severe infection in his thighbone that causes painful swelling. This condition has left him unable to perform the physical tasks his work demands. Because his income depends entirely on his ability to work each day, his family is now in a challenging situation. Without his mobility, his livelihood and his family’s stability is now at serious risk. The bone infection also causes him intense pain. Following Gutema's review at our medical partner's care center Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that he undergoes a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on June 4th, Gutema will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund Gutema's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. "My family cannot afford to lose my ability to work, as I am responsible for everything in our home. The pain and the stress of not being able to provide for them is overwhelming. This surgery is the key to saving my livelihood," said Gutema.

Five-year-old Eban is from Ethiopia, raised in a loving home by her father, a small-scale broker, and her mother, who manages the household and cares for her and her brother. When she was only one, a mirror fell and cut her left pinky finger. Although she was treated at the time, the finger has since tightened and pulled inward into a curve, causing her parents deep worry. Eban now struggles to grab things, do other activity with her fingers, or play like other children. Sometimes she feels shy because other children her age stare at her finger, which hurts her confidence. In addition to this physical injury, she faces developmental delays that have kept her non-verbal and unable to start school with other children her age. When Eban's family learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, they went there to seek treatment. On May 14th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery, which will make it much easier for her to use her hand. She will finally have the freedom to play with her toys, focus on her learning, and do everyday things all by herself. Now, Eban's family needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Her parents say: "We look forward to the day that Eban can straighten her finger."

Sousin is a seven-month-old baby girl from Cambodia. She is the only child in the family and lives in Phnom Penh with her parents. Her father is an architect, and her mother runs a grocery shop. She enjoys playing with dolls and toys and likes drinking milk. Sousin was born with syndactyly of the left foot. This means that her first, second, and third toes are fused. The joined toes may affect the normal growth and development of her left foot as she grows. It may make it difficult for her to wear shoes comfortably and could affect her ability to stand and walk normally in the future. Fortunately, on July 20th, surgeons will perform a syndactyly repair procedure to separate and release the fused toes. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $462 to fund this procedure. After surgery, she will have a more normally shaped foot and will be able to use her left foot more comfortably. The procedure will help her foot develop properly and support her ability to stand, walk, and wear shoes more easily as she grows. Sousin's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my daughter’s foot develop normally so she can walk comfortably, play happily, and grow up with confidence like other children.”