September 12, 2023
Mana, a 14-year-old from Cambodia, is a loving son and brother. His father is not involved in the family, and Mana stopped attending school to help support his mom at home. Mana is a rice farmer, and his mom sells home-grown vegetables at their local market with the help of Mana’s sister. When Mana is not looking after the rice paddies, he likes to play football with his friends!
When Mana was seven years old, he was playing with his friend in the kitchen when he fell into a wood fire where his mother was cooking, causing him to burn his left hand and fingers. They could not afford care at that time. After the burn healed, the skin around his fingers retracted and bent his fingers. Skin contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn, and one of his finger joints has become partially dislocated. Mana experiences pain and cannot move his fingers or hold objects in his hand.
When Mana learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of his hand and fingers. Now, he needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Mana and his family contributed $100 to his care.
Mana’s mother shared: “ I hope Mana’s fingers can be straightened and he can work easier.”
Mana, a 14-year-old from Cambodia, is a loving son and brother. His father is not involved in the family, and Mana stopped attending school ...
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February 27, 2024
Mana underwent burn contracture release surgery.
When Mana was seven years old, he was playing with his friend in the kitchen when he fell into a wood fire where his mother was cooking, causing him to burn his left hand and fingers. They could not afford care at that time. After the burn healed, the skin around his fingers tightened and bent his fingers. Skin contractures developed, tightening the skin around his burn, and one of his finger joints became partially dislocated. Mana experienced pain and could not move his fingers or hold objects in his hand.
Mana and his family traveled to our medical partner, where surgeons released his burn contractures and applied skin grafts to cover the open wounds. He spent several days in the hospital until surgeons were sure the grafts were healing, then he was able to return home. Rehabilitation and physical therapy will be essential for strengthening his grip, so he and his mother worked with the physical therapy team to learn range of motion and strength exercises. Mana will return for a check-up in a month or so. After his hand has healed, he can perform daily activities and return to working in the rice fields to support his family.
Mana shared: “I thought my hand would never be normal, but now I have hope that I will have a good hand and work hard. Thank you to those strangers who help poor Cambodians to have good health. I am very grateful.”
When Mana was seven years old, he was playing with his friend in the kitchen when he fell into a wood fire where his mother was cooking, cau...
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