Seav is six years old and a second-grade student from Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings and lives with her parents, who are rice farmers in Prey Veng Province. Her older brother is in Grade 8, while her younger sister is three years old. She enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes playing with toys with her cousins and sister. Her favorite foods are caramelized pork and eggs. When she was nine months old, Seav suffered a hot-water burn to her right hand. After the burn healed, scar tissue gradually formed and caused contractures in her right middle and ring fingers, along with a shortened web space. The tight scars restrict movement in her right middle and ring fingers and make it difficult for her to use her right hand for writing. This can make schoolwork and other activities that require hand movement more challenging. When Seav's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve movement in her right hand, making it easier for her to write and use her hand during school and daily activities. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seav's mother said, “Her hand has been tight since she was very young, and now it is making writing more difficult for her at school. I hope the surgery will help her move her fingers more freely so she can write, learn, and use her hand with greater ease.”

Baby Desta is a seven-month-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and two older brothers. She is active, cheerful, and loves smiling. Her father works as a daily laborer, while her mother is a homemaker. Despite limited income, her parents remain committed to fulfilling their children’s needs. Baby Desta was born with a condition called Hirschprung's disease. This is where a portion of the intestine does not have proper nerve function, causing bowel dysfunction. When she was about two weeks old, Baby Desta’s abdomen started to swell, prompting her mother to bring her to a health center. At the health center, the family was referred to a higher-level hospital. Baby Desta was admitted to the hospital, and doctors advised that she would require surgery to remove the affected part of the bowel, or she would continue to have symptoms and be at risk of serious complications. This greatly concerned her parents, who worried they could not afford treatment. Thankfully, after a long and stressful journey through multiple health facilities, the family was referred to our medical partner’s care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Baby Desta will undergo surgery on November 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of the procedure and related medical care. Baby Desta’s mother shared, “Thank you so much to everyone. May God protect you in your work and continue to bless you as you help others. Thank you for your kindness and support.”

Zaw Min is a 55-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, son, and grandson in Tak Province, Thailand. Before his condition worsened, he ran a bicycle repair shop at his home. However, he had to stop working due to his deteriorating health. His wife earns a living by selling vegetables. In the middle of 2024, Zaw Min began to experience troubling symptoms, including back pain. He was diagnosed with urethral stones and was referred to a specialty hospital for further care. Currently, he experiences some discomfort while walking and also experiences back pain. Doctors recommend performing a cystolithotomy, a procedure to remove bladder stones, to address his symptoms. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on June 19th. Once completed, Zaw Min will hopefully live more comfortably and can return to work. Zaw Min said, "Thank you very much for giving me a hand. It relieves me of my stress, especially financially."