Meet Samnang, a 3-year-old toddler from Cambodia who loves eating mangos and rice porridge and playing with his two older sisters. His parents work in a nearby village as potato and corn farmers. As Samnang is not in school yet, he stays home with relatives. In February 2023, Samnang suffered burns from a gasoline fire near his house. He was immediately taken to a hospital in a nearby province for treatment, where he remained for one month. Samnang has continued to receive follow-up care at a clinic closer to his house. The doctors there suggested the family travel to Phnom Penh to seek further care for burn scarring. Samnang's left hand has developed burn scar contractures, tightening the skin around his fingers and wrist and limiting the function of his hand. When Samnang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help improve his hand function. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this surgery. His family raised $100 for his care. His mother shared her hope that, with treatment, Samnang can use his hand more easily and be able to do things independently.

Abraham is a 15-year-old, social and shy boy. He is the firstborn in a family of two and hails from Konyao village in Kenya. We met Abraham at our Kacheliba mobile clinic accompanied by his auntie who is raising him. His mother passed away while he was at a tender age, and the auntie decided to take care of her two children since their father married another wife. Abraham's auntie works as a vendor selling vegetables at the local shopping centre. Abraham does not attend school because his left leg is bent inside, he cannot walk for long distances and constantly complains of pain while walking. He is scheduled to undergo left leg orthopedic surgery to correct the deformity. The treatment will be impactful to him because he will be able to walk confidently and continue with his daily duties uninterrupted. Their family is in need of support from well-wishers. “I am seeking for support to help this young boy undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Abraham’s auntie told us.

Se is a 53-year-old police officer from Cambodia. He lives in Takeo province with his wife and teenage son. Se has been working with the police for more than twenty years. In his spare time, he likes spending time with his family, and growing vegetables and herbs in his garden. Nine years ago, Se was diagnosed with diabetes. About two years ago, he noticed a wound on his right foot. He has been diagnosed with a diabetic foot ulcer, an open sore or wound that is common in patients with diabetes and is commonly located on the bottom of the foot. He experiences pain and discomfort, and the wound is infected. When Se learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Fortunately, CSC can help. On September 11, surgeons at CSC will perform a plantar flap and skin graft procedure to cover the wound and prevent further damage. During the procedure, the surgeon will carefully remove healthy tissue from a nearby area of the foot or from another part of the body. The flap will then be carefully positioned over the damaged on the foot. The surgeon will connect the blood vessels of the flap to those in the recipient area using microsurgical techniques. This allows the flap to receive the necessary oxygen and nutrients for healing. Once the flap is in place and the blood supply is established, the surgical site will be closed with sutures or other closure techniques. Hopefully this will repair the damaged tissue, promote healing, and enable Se to walk comfortably again. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. He is eager to be healthy and active again. Se shared, "I hope I can walk again without pain."