Seav is six years old and a second-grade student from Cambodia. She is the middle child of three siblings and lives with her parents, who are rice farmers in Prey Veng Province. Her older brother is in Grade 8, while her younger sister is three years old. She enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes playing with toys with her cousins and sister. Her favorite foods are caramelized pork and eggs. When she was nine months old, Seav suffered a hot-water burn to her right hand. After the burn healed, scar tissue gradually formed and caused contractures in her right middle and ring fingers, along with a shortened web space. The tight scars restrict movement in her right middle and ring fingers and make it difficult for her to use her right hand for writing. This can make schoolwork and other activities that require hand movement more challenging. When Seav's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve movement in her right hand, making it easier for her to write and use her hand during school and daily activities. Now, she needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seav's mother said, “Her hand has been tight since she was very young, and now it is making writing more difficult for her at school. I hope the surgery will help her move her fingers more freely so she can write, learn, and use her hand with greater ease.”

Sarey is a 20-year-old rubber farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and five younger siblings. His parents work as day laborers on a rubber farm, and all his younger siblings are still students. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in the village. On May 16, 2026, Sarey was riding his motorbike when it overturned at a corner, injuring his right shoulder. He was unconscious for approximately three days and received treatment for one week. However, his condition did not improve, and he was discharged and returned home. He continued to experience difficulties moving his right arm and later came to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for further investigation and treatment. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. This has left him unable to raise or move his right arm. He also experiences nerve pain and reduced sensation from below his elbow to his hand, as well as drooping of his right eyelid. These difficulties affect his ability to carry out everyday activities and limit his independence. On October 21st, Sarey will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will hopefully be able to regain some movement in his right arm, use his shoulder and elbow more effectively, and perform daily activities with greater independence. He also hopes to return to playing volleyball with his friends. Sarey can contribute $100, but needs help raising $637 more to fund his procedure and care. Sarey said, “Since my injury, I haven’t been able to use my right arm as before, and the nerve pain makes daily life difficult. I hope this treatment will help me regain movement and become more independent so I can return to my usual activities.”

Kerson is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his father, who is a construction worker, and his mother, who is a waitress. He enjoys making art with crayons and singing. Kerson has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Kerson needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 2nd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is funding his surgery; however, Kerson'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 Kerson's family overseas. Kerson's mother shared, "Our family will be so happy and relieved once we know our son is safe!"