Chanthorn is a 21-year-old mango farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his mother and older brother in the village where he grew up. He has four other siblings, and they live in nearby villages with their families. One year ago, while Chanthorn was lifting a crate of mangoes, he suddenly experienced a sharp pain in his back. The pain persisted and he noticed a curvature in his spine. He experiences chronic daily pain due to his injury. Chanthorn's injury has prevented him from working on the farm. He also used to enjoy playing soccer every evening with his friends in the village, but is unable to due to his injury. Chanthorn traveled five and a half hours to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for a diagnosis and treatment. On March 20th, our surgeons will perform surgery to align his spine using implants. This procedure will ease his pain and allow him to return to work. Our medical partners are requesting $1,500 to fund his procedure. The costs will cover surgery and in-patient care, including physiotherapy. Chanthorn's mother said, "I hope my son will feel healthy again and be able to return to work on the farm."

Nita is a five-year-old girl who lives with her parents and brother in Kandal province, Cambodia. Her parents are rice farmers. As Nita does not attend school yet, she stays with her mother and plays with dolls. She enjoys eating her mother's fried fish and lemongrass chicken soup. When she was eight months old, she suffered a burn injury while grasping a batch of incense, resulting in a burn contracture on her right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. Because of the contractures, she has limited hand function and is unable to do things like grasp toys or feed herself. Fortunately, Nita's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the flexibility and function of her hand, allowing for better movement. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Nita's mother said, "We hope that after the operation, Nita can learn to write and hold things to prepare her for school."

Patrick is a three-year-old boy from Malawi. He is the youngest of two children. His parents are farmers who grow maize, beans, and groundnuts to support the family. A year ago, Patrick started experiencing a painful swelling on the right side below his waist. His mother took him to a nearby health center, where she was advised to seek medical help at Nkhoma Hospital. Patrick was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and was advised to have corrective surgery. This condition causes him abdominal pain whenever the swelling appears and his parents are worried about their child’s health. If left untreated, it may lead to more health complications. Treatment will relieve Patrick of the pain and alleviate his parents’ stress. Patrick is scheduled for surgery on March 12th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $421 for the surgery. Patrick’s mother says, “I am looking forward to my son’s treatment and recovery so that he can be happy again.”