Kuon is a 68-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She lives in Battambang with her elderly husband and grandchildren. She has three children: her oldest child works as a car repairer, her second child works for a private company, and her youngest child is a taxi driver. She spends much of her time caring for her grandchildren. She also enjoys visiting the pagoda. Kuon developed a non-healing ulcer on her right cheek after suffering a burn while cooking. The wound remained open for about one year and was later diagnosed as invasive basal cell carcinoma. The ulcer has not healed and has a small area of dead tissue along its edge. Although it is not painful when touched, having a persistent lesion on her cheek affects her comfort and confidence in daily life. When Kuon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a removal of the basal cell carcinoma from her right cheek, followed by reconstruction with a rhomboid flap to remove the cancerous lesion and reconstruct the affected area, helping the wound heal and restoring the appearance and function of her cheek. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $616 more to fund her procedure and care. Kuon said, “I hope the surgery will remove the ulcer on my cheek and help the area heal properly. I am looking forward to recovering and returning to my usual daily activities with more confidence.”

Seng is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and two sisters. His older sister sells clothes, while his younger sister is in Grade 9. He enjoys studying Khmer literature and hopes to work in an IT company when he grows up. During his free time, he enjoys reading books and playing games. In 2024, Seng was involved in a road traffic accident involving a motorbike and a car, which caused a closed fracture of his right ankle. He initially visited a private clinic and was later treated by a traditional practitioner, who applied a splint for two months. A wound developed a few days after the splint was applied and later became infected, requiring medical treatment to clean the wound and remove damaged tissue. After the splint was removed, he could no longer lift the front of his right foot. He has been living with this condition for approximately two years. He needs a tendon and nerve repair procedure to regain strength and mobility. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Seng receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo the tendon and nerve repair procedure on October 21st. His family can contribute $12.50, but needs help raising $689 more to fund his procedure and care. Seng's mother said, “I hope this surgery will help my son walk more easily and continue his studies without difficulty. As his mother, I want to see him move freely and have a brighter future.”

Velonika, a 52-year-old woman from Malawi, is married and has four children. She and her husband engage in farming to support their family. Five years ago, Velonika began to experience small, painless swelling on her neck. Over time, the swelling grew larger without affecting her daily life. In 2022, the swelling became noticeable, prompting her to cover her neck until the end of the year. In 2023, Veronica developed symptoms like frequent coughs and neck heaviness. Despite visiting a traditional healer, her condition worsened. Velonika was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where surgeons noted signs of hyperthyroidism and conducted necessary tests. Her thyroid function tests were normal, and the ultrasound scanning revealed a heterogeneous mass on the right lobe. She was diagnosed with a goiter, the swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in front of the neck, produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Surgery is necessary to address the systems and prevent conditions from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is providing Velonika with the necessary treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 7th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Velonika shared, "Pains have forced me to come all the way from the village after noting your support. Kindly help me in time since I don't have anyone in town."