Sarai is 56 years old and a mother of four from Malawi. She works as a handicraft worker, while her husband is a retired teacher. She traveled over 200 kilometers seeking surgical support for a thyroid condition that has severely affected her quality of life. Ten years ago, Sarai began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck. Since it caused no discomfort at the time, she did not seek medical attention. However, in 2024, the swelling grew bigger and started to cause pain. She started to experience difficulty swallowing, restricted neck movement, and challenges with daily activities, including climbing stairs. Sarai was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), where she was diagnosed with a goiter involving the swelling of both thyroid lobes. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sarai receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 2nd at PIH, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Sarai said, "I can't swallow and breathe well. Your support will save my life."

Vortey is a 20-month-old girl from Cambodia. She is an only child and lives with her parents in Kompot Province. Her father works at a bank, while her mother runs a small coffee shop. She enjoys eating caramelized pork and grilled fish. On January 14, 2026, Vortey was burned by hot water, injuring her left hand. She received treatment and regular follow-up at a hospital near their home, but the burn healed with scar tissue that later caused contractures in several fingers and the web spaces. The burn scars have tightened around her left middle, ring, and little fingers and the spaces between them. This limits her finger movement and makes it harder for her to use her left hand normally. When Vortey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled four hours to seek treatment. On September 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to loosen the tight scar tissue and improve movement in her left fingers and hand, helping her use her hand more comfortably as she grows. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Vortey's father said, “Seeing her fingers become tight after the burn has been difficult for us as parents. I hope this treatment will give her better movement in her hand so she can play with her sister, learn as she grows, and use her hand more comfortably.”

Chantha is a 37-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Chhnang Province with his wife, who works in a garment factory. Together, they are raising two children; their eldest is in Grade 6, and their youngest is 4 years old. In his free time, Chantha enjoys drinking coffee and chatting with his friends in the village. About three years ago, Chantha developed tuberculosis of his right ankle, which caused swelling, redness, and severe pain. Although he completed a full course of tuberculosis treatment and the infection was cured, it left his right ankle joint permanently damaged. Since then, he has continued to suffer from pain, stiffness, and difficulty walking. He now relies on crutches to get around, making it difficult to work, care for his family, and carry out everyday activities. When Chantha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his right ankle joint and to relieve his pain, improve the stability of his ankle, and help him stand and walk more comfortably so he can return to his daily life with greater independence. Chantha can contribute $50, but needs help raising $561 more to fund his procedure and care. Chantha said, “My greatest wish is to wake up one day without this ankle pain. I hope this surgery will help me move freely again and return to the activities I have missed.”