Koemsing is a cheerful two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives in Preah Sihanouk Province with her parents and older sister. Her father works as a construction worker, while her mother stays at home to care for the children and manage the household. She enjoys playing with toys with her older sister, and her favorite foods are sour fish soup and strawberries. When she was 10 months old, Koemsing accidentally sustained burns to both hands after coming into contact with fire while playing with her siblings. As her burns healed, severe scar contractures developed in both hands, causing stiffness and deformity. She has difficulty opening her hands, grasping objects, and performing everyday activities appropriate for her age. When Koemsing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for seven hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the movement and function of her right hand. This surgery will help her grasp objects more easily, play more independently, and perform everyday activities with greater ease. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Koemsing's parents shared, “We hope this surgery will give our daughter the chance to use her hands more freely, become more independent, and enjoy the childhood every child deserves.”

Paw is a 30-year-old woman from Burma, who lives with her three-year-old daughter and her two cousins at a refugee camp in Thailand. Paw teaches at the camp school, and her husband works as a boat driver outside the camp. Her daughter and cousins go to camp preschool and school. Paw and her husband use their combined income to take care of the family's daily living expenses. They receive free basic health at the camp hospital run by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Paw is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Paw undergo a C-Section on September 24th. This procedure will cost $1,500, and Paw needs your support. Paw said, “My first child is a girl. I would be happy to have a boy or girl this time. Either way, I will be happy to have a healthy baby.”

Alemayew is a teenage boy from Ethiopia. This 14-year-old student is one of nine children growing up in a large, hardworking family. He lives with his father, who works as a farmer, his mother, who is a staff member at a flower factory, and his seven brothers and one sister. One year ago, Alemayew started to experience discharge and pain in this leg. Following his review at our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that Alemayew undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo repair surgery. Alemayew's family needs help raising $900 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Alemayew's parents shared, "We are forced to watch our son in pain as we do not have the money for the surgery. We're asking for your help."