Nita is a five-year-old girl who lives with her parents and brother in Kandal province, Cambodia. Her parents are rice farmers. As Nita does not attend school yet, she stays with her mother and plays with dolls. She enjoys eating her mother's fried fish and lemongrass chicken soup. When she was eight months old, she suffered a burn injury while grasping a batch of incense, resulting in a burn contracture on her right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn. Because of the contractures, she has limited hand function and is unable to do things like grasp toys or feed herself. Fortunately, Nita's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On April 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the flexibility and function of her hand, allowing for better movement. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Nita's mother said, "We hope that after the operation, Nita can learn to write and hold things to prepare her for school."

Jasmin is an 11 year-old girl from Bolivia who needs heart surgery. Jasmin lives with her father, a police officer, and her mother, a nurse. She has one older brother and one younger sister in La Paz. Jasmin likes to paint, draw in coloring books, and help her family with errands. Jasmin was born with Down syndrome, and also a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving Jasmin weak and short of breath. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund surgery to repair Jasmin's heart. During surgery, doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer pass through it. Once her heart is repaired, Jasmin will be able to breathe easier and have more energy and ability to make the most of everyday. Jasmin's mother shares: "we're so happy that the time has finally arrived for her surgery, our family has been waiting a long time for this moment."

Khemara is an 11th grader who lives in Kampong Thom province with his parents and older sister. His parents work as rice farmers, and he has three older brothers who live nearby and help support the family. Khemara likes playing volleyball and his favorite subject is history. He hopes to get a good job or join the army when he finishes high school. In December, Khemara was driving near his home when a dog ran into the road, causing him to swerve and crash. The accident caused a fracture in his right arm. He was unable to afford the private clinic near his house, so he sought treatment from a traditional healer in his village. Unfortunately, the fracture has not healed. He has limited function in his right hand and arm and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 11th, Khemara will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will improve his arm function and help him to perform his everyday activities again. He shared, "I hope I can use my arm like before and be able to do my schoolwork and I'd like to play volleyball again."