Ty is a 24-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. His wife works as a footwear factory worker. His father is a rice farmer, and his mother works in a garment factory. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in his village. When he was 13 years old, Ty had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Ty experiences chronic ear discharge, hearing loss, itchiness, and tinnitus or ringing in the ear. The condition has significantly affected his daily life. He has difficulty hearing and communicating with others, which often leads to frustration and emotional distress. It also affects his sleep and social interactions. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Ty receive treatment. On June 9th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. He can contribute $75, but needs help raising $288 more needed for his procedure and care. Ty said, “I have lived with hearing problems since I was young. I hope this surgery will improve my hearing so I can communicate more easily and enjoy a better quality of life.”

Christine is a 44-year-old mother from Uganda. She has two children, both of whom are enrolled in school. Early on in her marriage, her husband passed away. As a widow, Christine relies on subsistence farming to provide food and financial support for her family. To earn extra income, she occasionally works as a casual laborer on other farms. These additional earnings help her afford essential household necessities such as soap, salt, and other daily requirements. Christine finds joy in seeing her children pursue their education, hoping it will open doors to future professional opportunities. Five years ago, Christine began to experience troubling symptoms, notably a swelling at the front of her neck. Although initially painless, the swelling began to cause her discomfort. Over time, Christine began to experience difficulty with swallowing and breathing, shortness of breath, and palpitations after engaging in laborious tasks. Her condition limited her ability to work on her farm and carry out daily responsibilities, significantly affecting her quality of life. Due to financial constraints, Christine initially resorted to local herbs and traditional remedies to manage her condition. However, the interventions provided no relief, and she underwent screening at Nyakibale Hospital. There, Christine was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in front of your neck and produces hormones that are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Christine requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Christine receive treatment. On November 1st, Christine will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons may remove all or a portion of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Christine says, “Having my surgery with your support will be a blessing. Once I am back on my feet, I am sure I will be able to keep up with farming and will continue working at my best to keep my children in school. I can’t do this on my own and kindly appeal to you for support.”

Kanhara is a 38-year-old mother of two and a factory worker from Kandal Province, Cambodia. She lives with her husband and their two children. Her husband works in a factory, her eldest child repairs motorcycles, while her youngest child is in Grade 8. In her free time, she enjoys taking care of her family, doing household chores, and planting vegetables around her home. In April 2025, Kanhara was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture of the middle shaft of her right upper arm. After the injury, she sought treatment from a traditional Khmer healer, but the fracture did not heal properly. She experiences ongoing pain in her right arm and is unable to lift or use it normally. The injury makes it difficult for her to work, perform household tasks, and carry out daily activities independently. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 2nd, Kanhara will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $592. Surgeons will perform fixation with a plate and screws, along with bone grafting to stabilize the fracture and promote healing. This procedure will help reduce pain, improve arm strength and function, and allow her to return to work and daily activities more comfortably. Kanhara said, “I hope this surgery will help my arm heal well so I can use it normally again, work without pain, and continue supporting my family.”