Dirya is a five-year-old girl from Cambodia, and the middle child in her family. Her father works as a construction worker and her mother is a homemaker. She has an older brother, who is 12, and a younger brother, who is two. Dirya's mother shared that she dreams of becoming a doctor when she grows up. In her free time, Dirya enjoys drinking milk and eating rice with soup. She also loves playing with toys and riding her bicycle around the house. Dirya was born with scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature of her spine, along with left radial dysplasia, where the radius bone in her left forearm is underdeveloped. Over the past four years, Dirya's scoliosis has progressed, leading to abnormal posture. Her parents are concerned that she may face difficulties at school including back pain or difficulty breathing caused by the curvature. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Dirya receive treatment. On September 3rd, specialty surgeons at CSC will perform a spinal procedure during which growing rods will be implanted vertically along her spine to correct Dirya’s severe scoliosis. The procedure will help straighten her spine and improve her posture, and she will be able to stand and improve her health as she continues to grow. Dirya's parents can afford to contribute $25 of the cost of the procedure. Now, her family needs help raising the additional $1,475 for the surgery, hospitalization, implants, medications and physiotherapy. Dirya's parents shared, "we want Dirya to live a healthy life as she grows up and we are hopeful that this operation will straighten her back."

Winnie is a 50-year-old farmer and the seventh of thirteen children in her family, with five brothers and seven sisters. She grew up as an orphan and married at the age of 18. Together with her husband, she had three children. Unfortunately, her husband later passed away from cancer, leaving Winnie to struggle to provide for their three children and pay their school fees. Currently, her only source of income is farming. She has a banana and coffee farm from which she earns a living, however, her condition has impacted her health to the point that she no longer attends to her farm like she used to do before. For five years, Winnie has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, severe bleeding, dizziness, and persistent headaches. She sought medical help and was admitted for treatment to manage her bleeding, and a scan was performed. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids, and the doctor recommended surgery for which she requires support. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which the surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Winnie receive treatment. On October 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale. Once recovered, Winnie will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Now, Winnie needs help to fund this $219 procedure. Winnie says, “Given my financial situation, I am concerned about being able to afford the cost of my surgery. I am experiencing a lot of pain and would greatly appreciate your support in this matter.”

Chamnan is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has six siblings and lives with his parents in Kampong Speu province. His parents could not afford to educate all their children, so Chamnan left school after 6th grade, and stayed home to help his parents with their rice farm. In his free time, he likes to go to the coffee shop in his village with his friends. About a year ago, Chamnan underwent surgery to correct a birth condition in his right leg. His condition affects the growth of the long bones, specifically the femur. He wants to remove the hardware in his right leg due to chronic pain that occurs while working outside on the farm. On September 10th, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will help Chamnan undergo surgery to remove the hardware that was previously placed. This procedure will help to relieve the pain and allow him to strengthen his leg. Chamnan's family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $204 more to fund his procedure and treatment. Chamnan shared, "I want to remove the metal in my leg so I can walk well and help my parents work on the farm."