Leang is a happy three year old kindergartener, living with her parents in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Her father works at a local company, and her mother is a journalist. Two weeks ago, Leang developed a chalazion in her right eye. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. In addition to the pain that the chalazion causes, Leang also suffers from impaired vision, due to swelling in her eye. This makes it difficult for her to concentrate and enjoy preschool. Leang's parents brought her to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On January 16th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst from Leang's eye, through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Leang's symptoms should improve. Leang's family needs your help to raise the $210 to fund this procedure. Leang's mother shared: "I hope the operation will be easy for my daughter so she can go to school with no pain or swelling."

Sonita is from the Koh Kong province and lives with her parents and younger brother. Her parents are rainy-day rice farmers, and her brother is in grade one. She is in grade four and excels in Khmer literature and math. She shared that she would like to be a lawyer some day. When not studying, Sonita likes writing stories, reading books, doing homework, watching TV, and going to the market with her mother. At home, she eats a soft meal and drinks juice due to her inability to open her mouth. Sonita was born with temporal mandibular joint ankylosis. This is a bony or fibrous adhesion of the mandible joint components. Trauma is the most frequent cause, followed by infection, but Sonita's parents do not know how she developed it. She is unable to open her mouth, causing difficulties with chewing, speaking, and oral hygiene as well as limiting the growth of her mandible (micrognathia). She is shy, and shared that she is often embarrassed that she cannot speak well enough to be heard. Her parents took her to a local hospital when she was three, but did not receive any treatment. A villager suggested her parents should visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for a diagnosis and treatment. Doctors have determined that she needs a bilateral condylectomy with the addition of a bone graft from her femur. Now, her family needs help to pay for the $469 procedure. Your donation will cover Sonita's surgery, medicines, and hospital stay. Sonita's mother said: "We are hopeful that the doctors can fix my daughter's jaw so she can open her mouth. We worry that she will not grow well because she cannot eat well."

Bizuayehu is a beautiful and cheerful girl from Ethiopia who loves to talk and play with her mother. She asks a lot of questions and she is eager to learn about things. She especially loves dolls. Her mother washes clothes and makes injera (a traditional Ethiopian food) for a living. Bizuayehu's father abandoned her mother when she was pregnant. She shared that there was a time when she couldn’t pay for her rent and was out in the streets for several months. This led to malnutrition for both of them but they were able to recover with help from the hospital's nutrition program. She is now living on her very limited income from making injera and washing people’s clothes in the neighborhood, and with support from another organization. Since birth, Bizuayehu has had a bilateral inguinal hernia. The bulge is usually visible when she cries, coughs or strains. She also gets irritable and has reduced appetite. Fortunately there is a cure and on October 6th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $591 to fund Bizuayehu's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Bizuayehu's mother says, “Once my child gets better and cured she can join a daycare and I can do a better job to earn a better income. And I hope she will do well at school. I would like to thank BKMCM for all the support I got. I would also like also to thank our donors for this surgery. I don’t know what I could do if it was not for you and all the people at different times who supported me and encouraged me. I have been supported and gone through so many challenges, but I have had people by my side. I am thankful to God for this blessing.”

Khem is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has a daughter. Khem's wife works as a garment worker, and their daughter is in school. After a long day at work, Khem shared that he loves to come home and listen to the news on the radio and help his daughter with her homework. A year ago, Khem developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him tearing and blurry vision. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go out alone. When Khem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 24th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund Khem's procedure. Kehm said, "After surgery, I hope I will see clearly. I hope to go outside, recognize things, and plant rice well."

Narat is a 60-year-old retired soldier from Cambodia. He has two sons, three daughters, and five grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who is disabled, and their youngest daughter, who is a hairdresser. He likes to spend his time listening to the news on the radio. A year ago, Narat developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience light sensitivity and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Narat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On July 11th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Narat says, "I hope after surgery I can see well enough to drive my motorbike so I can bring my grandchildren to school."

Erick is a four year old boy, living with his parents and five siblings. He is a charming and playful fellow, who loves football. Erick was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition which causes his legs to bow outward, making it difficult for him to walk, and causing him pain. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, has stepped up to help Erick access the corrective surgery he needs. They are requesting $880 to fund this procedure, which is scheduled to take place on June 7th at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, and which should restore Erick's mobility. After he heals, he will be able to engage in a variety of activities, and the risk of future complications will be greatly diminished. Erick’s father says: “We have hope that our son could have his legs corrected here.”

Yas is a sweet five-year-old who loves to play and watch children's shows. She is the youngest of four children, and her mother works as a food seller to provide for their family. Three years ago, Yas developed an ear infection that caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. As a result, Yas experiences hearing loss and ear discharge, and she cannot communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Yas's family was able to travel to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On April 19th, Yas will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. Yas's family was able to contribute $100 and CSC is requesting $487 to fully fund the cost of her treatment and care. Yas's mother says, "I hope her hearing will improve and the discharge will stop."

Abegaelle is a five-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives in the capital city of Port-au-Prince with her parents and older brother. Some of her favorite activities include going to preschool and attending church with her family. Abegaelle was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. As a result, blood leaks through, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Abegaelle receive treatment. She will travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo surgery on July 26th, during which surgeons will insert a catheter to plug the hole in her heart and restore a healthy blood flow. Abegaelle's family is raising $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA's social workers to accompany Abegaelle and her family overseas. Abegaelle's mother shared, "Our family is all very thankful that Abegaelle will have this chance to have her heart fixed!"