Belta is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. Belta's father operates a boda-boda taxi in town, while her mother sells clothing in a nearby market. Belta is the second of three children and she aspires to become a pilot. When Belta was 10 years old, her mother noticed a change in how she walked. Belta would complain of pain while walking, which emanated from her back to her legs. Belta's family heard about our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure Hospital, through a friend, whose child had been successfully treated for a similar condition. The doctors found that Belta has a curvature of the spine and scheduled her for posterior instrument fusion surgery to take place on March 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund Belta's life-changing surgery which will enable her to walk without pain and discomfort. Belta shared, “I am looking forward to a complete recovery, continuing and finishing my studies well, and becoming a better person in the future who will greatly impact society.”

Vichheka is a 26-year-old from Cambodia. Along with caring for her daughter, Vichheka and her husband sell grocery products from their home. When Vichheka was a toddler, she fell off the front stoop of her home, possibly creating a left hip deformity. Her parents brought her to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for examination; it was decided that surgery was not needed at the time. Since then, she has suffered from frequent spasms down her left leg, made worse by prolonged periods of standing while working. A relative suggested she return to CSC to determine if there was a solution to her ongoing pain. Now doctors would like Vichheka to undergo contracture release surgery on her rectus femoris, a muscle in the upper leg to finally heal her condition. After recovery, Vichheka should be in less pain. Now, she needs $572 to fund her procedure. Vichheka shared "I hope I can walk easier with no more pain after this surgery, so I can help my husband and raise my child."

Sa Ki is a 43-year-old woman who lives with her parents and son in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. Her parents are retired and her son is a mullah in the refugee camp. Sa Ki works as a case worker for a community organisation. In June 2022, Sa Ki began experiencing worrying symptoms including lower abdominal pain and back pain. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy which involves the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Sa Ki's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. Sa Ki is scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on February 22nd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain and she will be able to return to work without any discomfort. Sa Ki said: "When I heard that I need surgery, I started to feel worried and scared. I also worried that if I could not get proper treatment, I would not be able to look after and support my parents."