Rathanak is a two-year-old toddler who lives in Cambodia with his parents and twin brother. His mother works long hours at a garment factory, and his father is a hairdresser who earns a small daily income. When his parents are at work, he and his twin are looked after by their grandmother. Rathanak enjoys eating fried egg and caramelized pork, and he loves playing with toys alongside his brother. Rathanak was born with polydactyly of his right hand, meaning that he has an extra thumb. This makes it difficult for him to grasp objects and interferes with his play. As he grows older, he has also started to feel shy and self-conscious because his hand looks different from those of other children. Fortunately, on February 25th, 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, Rathanak is expected to have improved hand function and better coordination. The procedure will help him use his right hand more comfortably and confidently, allowing him to play, learn, and perform daily activities more easily. Rathanak's mother shares, “I hope that after the surgery my son can use his hand normally, and feel confident like other children. I don’t want him to feel shy or different anymore. I just want him to grow up happy and proud of himself.”

Melau is an eight-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the fifth child in a large family, and her parents depend on livestock and farming for income. Access to specialized care has been limited due to distance and cost. When she was younger, Melau accidentally got burned by hot milk. She now has a severe burn scar affecting her right wrist and hand. The injury led to deep burns and later severe tightening of the scar, leaving her wrist stiff and her hand function reduced. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Melau receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give her a chance for improved independence and daily function. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Melau's father says, “Her wrist is very tight and painful, and she cannot use her hand normally for playing or helping at home.”

Say is a 26-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and daughter in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker, and her husband works as a day labourer outside of the camp. Say weaves traditional Karen dresses to help earn extra income. Often, their income is not enough to cover their daily needs, and they have to purchase groceries on credit, paying them back when they have money. Say is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund, is helping Say undergo a C-Section on March 8th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Say needs your support. Say says, “I would love to have either a boy or a girl. When my children are older, I would like to attend midwife classes in the refugee camp and work as a midwife at the camp hospital.”