Mekdes is a young mother from Ethiopia. At just 22, this single mother is the heart and soul of her small family, working hard to build a life for herself and her four-year-old child. She runs a small street-side stall selling fried chips, and this humble business is their only source of income. Mekdes has been fighting chronic tonsillitis for four years. Because her business is outdoors and requires her to be on her feet all day, these frequent, painful throat infections make it incredibly difficult for her to work. When she is too sick to stand at her stall, she loses the income they desperately need, creating a constant and exhausting cycle of physical pain and financial worry. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Mekdes, which is scheduled to take place on May 23rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Mekdes of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Mekdes said, "My deepest hope is to finally achieve lasting health and financial security, so I can work consistently without the constant fear that a sudden, painful illness will take away my ability to provide for my child."

Shain is a 34-year-old man from Burma. He is a volunteer doctor at a hospital near the border of Thailand and Burma. In his free time, Shain loves reading books. In May 2021, Shain started to experience troubling symptoms that kept recurring, despite medications. His symptoms cause him pain and discomfort, preventing him from performing his daily tasks. He is unable to sit or move comfortably. Shain has an abnormal growth in a sensitive part of the body. He sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and was advised to undergo a mass removal surgery on July 16th. He is requesting $1,500 to help cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Shain shares, "I hope to get better so I can continue volunteering." Shain likes to conduct training for the medics in the area.

Mab is a 28-year-old car repairman from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Cham Province with his wife, who sells fruit at a local market. They do not yet have children and are currently supporting their elderly parents. In his free time, he enjoys chatting with friends in the village. In 2015, Mab was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a fracture of his left femur. He was treated at a government hospital, where the fracture was managed surgically with intramedullary nailing. During the procedure, metal hardware was inserted to stabilize the bone and promote healing. Although the fracture has healed, he continues to experience intermittent pain, stiffness, and discomfort around the implant site. This affects his mobility, comfort, and ability to perform daily work activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 10th, Mab will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help relieve pain and stiffness, improve comfort, and restore better mobility, allowing him to return more comfortably to his normal daily and working life. Mab can contribute $50, but needs help raising $328 to fund his procedure and care. Mab said, “I hope the surgery to remove the IM nail will relieve my discomfort and allow me to move more freely without pain or stiffness.”