Darith is a third grader who lives in Kandal province. He has one older brother and one younger sister. His father drives a pick-up truck for a local construction company, and his mother is a homemaker. At school, he enjoys math, Khmer, and social science. He would like to be a soldier when he is old enough. When not in school, he likes to play volleyball with his father, and eat fried fish or fried beef. For two years, Darith has been experiencing high fevers and sore throats. Often he cannot swallow his food and vomits it up because he feels so bad. Medicine from the local pharmacy has not helped. He has not gained weight and is absent from school. Darith was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Darith, which is scheduled to take place on December 14th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Darith of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. His mother said: "I hope after this operation, my son will eat well and not feel sick all the time."

Vanna is a 24-year-old farmer who has been married for 2 years and has one daughter and one son. She stays home to care for the children, and her husband drives a motor taxi. In her free time, she grows plants outside her house and likes to do embroidery. One year ago, she had an ear infection that caused pain and discharge from her right ear. She tried medicine from a local pharmacy but the symptoms persisted. The infection caused the tympanic membrane (ear drum) in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Vanna experiences tinnitus, ear pain, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others, does not sleep well, and often has headaches. Vanna traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vanna shared: "I hope my ear will be healthy and my hearing will improve."

Chamroeun is a 36-year-old father of two, living with his wife and children near the Mekong River, in the Prey Veng province of Cambodia. Chamroeun used to work as a tuk-tuk driver, while his wife is a rainy day rice farmer. They also own several cows, from which they get fresh milk. Chamroeun was hit by a car in September while crossing a road near his home. His right arm and right clavicle were fractured, and he lost his lower left leg, as a result of the accident. Because he had no money, he was transferred from a local private clinic to a government hospital, where he spent several weeks recovering. His arm and clavicle were repaired, but the stump below his knee has still not healed fully. The skin around the stump is open, and Chamroeun is in chronic pain, and is unable to walk. He and his family have also found it difficult emotionally to adjust to Chamroeun losing part of his leg. When Chamroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he sought their help. Now, on October 21st, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a skin graft procedure to help his leg heal, and to facilitate long-term rehabilitation. Chamroeun needs your help to fund this $487 procedure. Chamrouen shared: "After surgery, I hope my left leg and skin will heal soon. After the skin is good, I can get a prosthesis to walk without crutches and return to work to support my family again."

Rin is a 43-year-old mother of one. She is a construction worker and divorced from her husband. She has one son who lives with her. In her free time, she likes to listen to Khmer songs and do things around the house. Earlier this month, she was working on a roof near a high-voltage wire and suffered multiple electrical burns on her hands, feet, and head. She was taken to a referral hospital, but only received minimal dressing for her burns. The tissue damage is extensive, and she is in pain and unable to use her hands. When Rin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft surgery to to help regenerate the damaged skin. Now, she needs help to fund this $805 procedure. Rin is hopeful that after surgery her hands will be better and she will be able to work again.

Lai is a 68-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have one son, two daughters, and several grandchildren. His children all live in the same village near him and his wife. Lai's wife stays home to watch their grandchildren while their children work with him on the farm. During his free time, he enjoys listening to the news, visiting the local pagoda, and drinking tea with his friends. While walking home on a local road this past April, Lai was hit by a motor vehicle. This accident left him with a fractured tibia in his right leg. He sought medical attention at a government hospital where they placed an external fixation to stabilize the bone and gave him a cast. Over time, his wound became infected, so he visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons at their care center performed a debridement of his wound to rid his leg of the infection prior to any further surgery. He is currently unable to walk, feels poorly, and is in chronic pain. Now, he needs surgery to properly repair the fractured tibia. Fortunately, CSC can help. On August 11th, Lai will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help him walk easily again and return to work on his farm. Lai says, "After surgery, I hope my right leg will be fixed, I will have no pain or infection, and I will be able to walk as well."

George is a brave boy from a village in southern Kenya. He is the third born in a family of four children. He is in pre-kindergarten and likes to play a lot. His mother does house work when available while his father does any jobs he can find. The family faces a lot of financial challenges which made it hard for them to bring George to the hospital for help. On June 30th, George accidentally fell and fractured both the radius and ulna bones in his right hand. The surgeon found that he needs a fracture repair surgery, but George's family cannot raise the money for it. George is in pain and cannot use his hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 7th, George will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help reduce his pain and be able to use the hand once he recovers. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1049 to fund this procedure. “I am desperate and have no way to help my son. I ask for help so that he can be treated, be able to use his hand, and continue with his education. I will appreciate this help,” said George’s mother.

Meet Lydia, a 25-year-old mother of three, living with her husband and children in rural Kenya. Lydia and her husband both work as farmers, and live with her husband's parents. Lydia, who has epilepsy, fainted while she was preparing food for her children. She sustained severe burns on her left hand, extending to the left forearm. Lydia was admitted to the hospital, where she was treated, but her wounds became infected, and she lost her fingers. After three weeks of medication and surgeries, Lydia’s medical costs rose to a level that her family could not sustain, so the decision was made to discharge her from the hospital, even though her condition had not improved. Lydia is worried about being able to care for her children now that she can no longer work as a farmer. Her mother-in-law is also concerned about her future, and the difficulties she may face: will she be able to do laundry and cook, will she face social problems or financial challenges? Lydia requires skin grafting to heal her burn wounds and treat her infection. Her family, who sold everything at home to raise funds for Lydia's initial treatment, cannot afford the cost of her procedure. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,089 to fund her surgery, which is scheduled to take place on May 25th, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Lydia shared: “It is difficult to look at my hand; I want to get better than this. Please help me improve the quality of my life.”

Heab is a 52-year-old rice farmer who lives with her husband. Heab and her two daughters and sons-in-law farm the same land, while Heab's husband, who is disabled, is unable to work. After a long day outside, Heab likes to listen to the news and to the monks praying on the radio. One year ago, Heab developed a cataract in her left eye, resulting in poor vision and light sensitivity. When Heab learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment. On May 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens will be implanted in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly, and to go places on her own again. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $253 to help fund this procedure. Heab says: "I hope after surgery I can see clearly again. I can go back to help my daughters plant rice and take care of my husband as well."

Cho is a 23-year-old woman from Thailand, living with her husband, son and her husband’s cousin in a refugee camp, in Mae Hong Son Province. Her husband works as a medic at the hospital in the refugee camp, and her husband’s cousin goes to school. Cho is a homemaker, and looks after her son. In her free time, Cho loves to play with her son, while on Saturdays, she likes to attend church. Cho is currently expecting her second child. At a recent antenatal visit, Cho's doctors told her that she would need to give birth via Caesarean section, due to complications she experienced when giving birth to her son. A C-section offers the best opportunity for a safe and healthy outcome for both Cho and her new baby. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Cho access the care that she needs. On September 8th, Cho will undergo a Caesarean section at Mae Sariang Hospital. Burma Children Medical Fund is seeking $1,500 to fund this procedure and ensure a safe delivery. “I want to work as a teacher in the future again, when my children are old enough to go to school,” Cho said.

Faustin is an adorable one-month-old baby from Tanzania who is the third child in her family. To support their family, her father is a small-scale subsistence farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. Her parents share that the income they earn is enough to sustain their basic needs. Since Faustine was born, her mother has been to several hospitals seeking medical care for her condition. Faustin was born with clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Her left foot is twisted inward, making it difficult for her to straighten it. If not treated, she will experience difficulty walking and wearing shoes when she grows up. Fortunately, Faustin's family traveled to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, to seek medical treatment. On August 9th, surgeons there will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Faustin's clubfoot repair, which will allow her to grow up in good health. Faustine's mother says, "I feel so blessed knowing that my daughter will get treatment and grow up to have a normal life."

Hannah is an elderly woman from a small village in southwestern Kenya. She is a widow and is currently living with one of her daughters since her fall. Before then, she was able to stay on her own and do a bit of farming in her shamba to sustain herself. Hannah recently had a fall and sustained a closed fracture of the femur of her right leg. The fracture was repaired three weeks ago, but the plate in her leg was dislodged after she tried to walk. Now it is difficult for her to walk and she is in severe pain. The surgeon recommended a repeat ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) procedure to help her heal. Hannah's family is not in a position to raise money for this treatment, and the insurance coverage which paid for her first surgery will not pay for the care she now needs. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 7th, Hannah will undergo an ORIF procedure. This procedure will help reduce her pain and she will be able to walk easily once she recovers. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,049 to fund her procedure and medical care. “I used to stay on my own but now I am depending on my children, who are also busy with their families. I kindly request for help so that I can eventually be independent again,” said Hannah.

Meet Emmanuel, a 9-year-old boy, living with his mother and four siblings in a small town in rural Kenya. Emmanuel's mother is a single parent, who works daily jobs like helping with laundry in an effort to support her children. Despite her hard work, the family's neighbors step in at times to make certain the children are fed, as Emmanuel's mother shared that she doesn't always have enough money for food. On Saturday evening, Emmanuel was brought to Kapsowar Hospital, after being hit by a speeding car. An X-ray confirmed that Emmanuel's left femur was fractured. He was admitted to the children's ward, and his leg was placed in traction until he can undergo surgery to repair the fracture. In the meantime, Emmanuel is in pain, and he cannot use his left leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 7th, Emmanuel will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,145 to fund Emmanuel's surgery, which will enable him to walk easily again, and to resume the life of enjoying being a 9 year old. Emmanuel's mother says: “I am going through so many struggles. I have a one-year-old baby at home. I am unable to take care of her as I am at the hospital. My hope is to see Emmanuel treated so that I can take care of him at home with his siblings.”