Mao is a 17-year-old farmer - and the youngest of five children - living in Takeo province. Except for one sister who works in a nearby clothing factory, the family cultivates rainy day rice. Mao left school so that he could help his family with the farm work, and he is now learning how to cook, so that he can prepare meals for his family to share. During a Cambodian holiday last year, Mao fell off his motorbike while navigating a rugged road. He fractured his distal radius and several of his fingers. His parents took him to a local clinic, where he had surgery, and metal pins inserted to allow proper healing. He still has pain and weakness in his hand. In order to assess the progress of his fractures, surgeons need to remove the hardware from his fingers and wrist. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 8th, Mao will undergo hardware removal surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him to strengthen his wrist and fingers, enabling Mao to work with his parents in the rice paddies, and reduce his risk of infection. Mao and his family need your help to fund this surgery. Mao said: "I hope that I will have full movement of my hand, and that I will not have any pain or infection."

Racheal is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She studied up to secondary school in class two before dropping out due to financial constraints. Her husband is also a farmer, and they have two children. Racheal's eldest child is three and a half years old and in nursery school and her second child is two years old. They stay in a four-room mud house and work hard to make ends meet for their family. During her free time, she enjoys working on her small farm. Racheal is currently expecting her third child. She received antenatal care at Maziba Health Centre IV and reported to Rushoroza Hospital on 17th January. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because her pregnancy is high risk and this way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Racheal undergo a C-Section on January 19th. This procedure will cost $214, and Racheal needs your support. Rachael says, “I am praying for a successful surgery with a positive outcome and hope to be back to my farming and life as I recover."

Mu is a 62-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her family in a village in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. She works as a day laborer and housekeeper. She also collects and sells recyclable materials for additional income to support her daily needs. In September 2023, Mu accidentally fell down the stairs and fractured her hip, making it difficult for her to walk and move her legs. She is in constant pain, affecting her ability to sleep and perform her daily tasks. Fortunately, Mu learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Mu of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for March 1st and Mu needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. “I felt sad and depressed when I realized I needed surgery because I couldn’t afford to pay for it,” said Mu. “I am also concerned about my ability to take care of myself. I was thrilled and felt grateful to all the donors and BCMF when I learned they would help pay for my treatment. I want to take care of myself without anyone’s help. I don’t want to put anyone under unnecessary pressure. Along with that, I want to walk like I used to again.”