Fadhili is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. His father is a small business owner, and his mother is a housewife. Fadhili was brought to the hospital by his father because of burn scar contractures affecting his left hand. Fadhili's injury occurred last year when he succumbed to a burn on the fourth and fifth fingers of his left hand. Initially, the family managed the wound at home due to limited access to healthcare. As a result, Fadhili struggles to open his hand fully and has difficulty holding objects or feeding himself. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Fadhili receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to help restore Fadhili's hand movement and prevent long-term disability. This early intervention will allow Fadhili to grow and develop without functional limitations. AMH is requesting $832 to fund this procedure. Fadhili's father says, “His burned fingers are tight and cannot open well, so he cannot hold things like other children.”

Michelsa is a young student from Haiti. She is in the first grade and likes art and music. Michelsa lives with her mother, grandmother, and two siblings in a city on the west coast of Haiti. Her mother sews school uniforms for a living. Michelsa has a cardiac condition called pulmonary stenosis. One of the four valves in Michelsa's heart is too narrow, making it difficult for blood to flow through it and leading to heart failure. Michelsa will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 11th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a balloon on the end of a catheter to stretch the valve open to a more normal size. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Michelsa's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Michelsa's family overseas. Michelsa's mother shares, "Our family is very hopeful that after this surgery, we can let my daughter run and play without worrying about her health."

Ly Hor is a four-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. He lives in a rural area of Kampong Cham Province with his parents and two siblings. His father is a rice farmer, and his mother sells vegetables. Ly Hor is the middle child, with an older brother in grade six and a younger sister who is two years old. He enjoys writing and reading Khmer and dreams of becoming a doctor when he grows up. In his free time, he likes playing with toy cars with his sister. Ly Hor's favorite meal is fish sour soup. For the past two years, Ly Hor has been experiencing a sore throat three to four times per month, fever, snoring at night, and difficulty swallowing. The frequent illness is uncomfortable, affects his eating, sleeping, and daily activities, and occasionally prevents him from going to school. Ly Hor was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Ly Hor. On April 3rd, surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Ly Hor of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Ly Hor's father said, “My son has been sick again and again for the past year, and it has been very difficult for him to eat, sleep, and live normally. The doctor has recommended surgery, and although I feel worried, I believe this is the best way to help him recover and have a healthier life. I truly hope this treatment will free him from his pain and allow him to grow strong like other children.”