Meet Tichheang, a 13-year-old, second-grade student from Cambodia. His parents work as farmers, cultivating rice and cashews. His favorite subjects in school are Khmer and Sociology, and he loves playing the drums with his dad and playing soccer with his friends in his free time. When Tichheang grows up, he dreams of becoming a drummer! Around five years ago, Tichheang developed an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. As a result, Tichheang experiences ear pain accompanied by fever, ear drainage, headaches, and weakened hearing on the right side. It is very difficult for Tichheang to communicate at school due to this condition. He is also often absent from class due to his symptoms. Tichheang's family traveled to our medical partner's care center for treatment. On April 9th, Tichheang will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Tichheang and his family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $926 more to fund this procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His mother shared: "I want to see my son in good health and able to communicate more easily."

Rayan is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the first child of his parents, and he is an active and interactive child who loves playing with other children. His father takes on casual jobs to earn a living, while his mother is a homemaker. Rayan was born with a congenital condition affecting his left hand, in which two fingers are joined together, causing concern for his parents regarding its impact on his future. Fortunately, Rayan's mother learned about our medical partner's care center Kafika House from a previous patient and made the decision to take him there. At the center, Rayan was diagnosed with left-hand syndactyly, a condition that is corrected through surgical intervention. The plastic surgeons intend to carry out a release procedure to separate his left hand's third and fourth fingers. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rayan receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On March 7th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to enhance the mobility of his fingers. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Rayan’s mother says: “I hope my son’s hand will be okay and that the condition will not affect his future.”

Mao is a retired rice farmer and widow from Kampong Thom province, where she lives with one of her daughters. Her other four children and grandchildren live nearby. After retiring from decades of work in the rice paddies, Mao started to help more around the house and with childcare for her grandkids. She enjoys spending time with family, and visiting the local pagoda to pray. About six months ago, Mao developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On February 1st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can do the housework easily and take good care of my grandchildren."