Sorim is a 12-year-old student in grade five. He has two younger siblings - a one-month-old brother, and an eight-year-old sister. His parents are rice farmers in Kampong Chhnang province. In school, he enjoys Khmer literature and would like to be a doctor when he grows up. Sorim's favorite meal is fried eggs and chicken soup. At home, he enjoys playing with toys with friends, reading books, and swimming in the lake near his house. When he was six months old, the middle and ring fingers of his right hand were burned in a cooking fire. He did not receive any care, as his parents had no money for treatment. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. Now he cannot extend his fingers and it is difficult for him to carry things or hold a pencil to write in school. When Sorim's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help him to use his hand again. Now, their family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Sorim said: "My friends make fun of my hand, and it makes me feel bad. I hope I can use my fingers after surgery and I won't have any pain."

Beatrice, a 35-year-old single mother of five, lives in Malawi. Beatrice cooks and sells beer locally, but as she is unable to support her family with her earnings, she relies on her husband's brother to support her and the children. In 2022, Beatrice first started experiencing swelling in the right upper suprapubic area. As she wasn't concerned by the swelling, she didn't seek treatment. However, in February 2023, Beatrice was in line at a clinic with pain from the swelling so intense that she required immediate attention. Beatrice was seen by a surgeon, who told her that she had a hernia that needed to be repaired as soon as possible. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $575 to cover the costs of the surgery, which will prevent Beatrice's situation from worsening to potentially life-threatening consequences. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 22nd at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Beatrice is looking forward to recovering so that she can continue to care for her children. Beatrice happily said: “PIH kindly help me to have that surgery and get better; my children will suffer if you don’t help me.”

Heng is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia in the 11th grade. His father is a roof builder and his mother stays at home. He has two older sisters who live at home, but have finished school and work outside of the home. In his free time, Heng enjoys reading books, exercising, fishing, and listening to music. At school, he likes math and would like to go into Information Technology. In June 2022, Heng was in a motorcycle collision where he fractured his right shoulder, femur, and hand, as well as both clavicles and several facial bones. His family took him to a local government hospital for surgery, but five months later, he still cannot move his right shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Heng has difficulty with daily tasks, feels poorly, and has stopped going to school due to his injury. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Heng receive treatment. He traveled to CSC's care center, the only center in Cambodia where the required treatment is available. On November 14th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to move his shoulder and use his hand. Now, he needs help raising $709 to fund his procedure and care. Heng's mother shared, "we hope Heng will recover and use his shoulder and arm again after surgery."