Sopheaktra is a 19-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives with his grandmother and younger sister in Kampong Cham province. He spends his time helping his grandmother around the house or drinking coffee with his friends. When he was five years old, his left foot was burned by a fire. His family did not seek any help for him at that time. Burn scar contractures have developed on his foot, tightening the skin around his burn. As a result, it is difficult for him to wear shoes or walk as he is in pain. When Sopheaktra learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk again comfortably. He would like to find a construction job to provide financial assistance to his grandmother. Now, he needs help to fund this $495 procedure. He shared: "After surgery, I hope that I have no pain and can wear shoes."

Rem is a 47-year-old rice farmer from Kandal province in Cambodia. He is married, and has two sons and three daughters. Two of his daughters still live at home and attend public school. Rem's wife works in a local clothing factory. A month ago, Rem was involved in an accident while driving his motorbike. During the accident, Rem fractured his left femur. A local clinic asked him for $300 before they would do surgery, which he couldn't afford. He subsequently visited a Khmer traditional healer, who placed a bamboo splint, with the intention of stabilizing the bone, and to promote healing. However, Rem's fracture has become infected, and the bone has not healed properly. He cannot walk or farm his land and he is in constant pain. A friend in the village urged him to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for further care. On August 1st, Rem will undergo a fracture repair procedure at CSC's care center. During the procedure, CSC doctors will also address the wound infection. Rem is able to contribute $100 to his care, and CSC is requesting $483 to cover the remaining costs. Rem said, "After surgery, I hope that I don’t have pain and can walk normally."

Simwenda is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He resides in a village in the Mpanda district. His parents, hardworking farmers, work daily to provide for their family’s subsistence needs. Simwenda was born with a clubfoot - a birth abnormality in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual, causing the foot to twist and making walking and wearing shoes difficult. Simwenda’s parents, with limited resources and no access to medical insurance, could only watch their son’s condition worsen for three years. It broke their hearts to see him suffer. The nearest hospital could not provide the treatment he needed. Simwenda’s parents shared their son’s story with their community, hoping for help and learned that services would be available at the Plaster House, a care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). However, Simwenda's parents encountered a significant obstacle in obtaining care: transportation costs. Their village is hundreds of miles from Arusha, where the medical care center is located. Simwenda’s family organized a fundraising event to raise money for the transportation and additional expenses of the journey. Upon Simwenda’s arrival at the center, he received a warm welcome. The medical team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Simwenda's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with less struggle. Simwende’s mother says: “Despite our financial situations, we have tried so hard to get him treatment. I hope this time around our son has a chance to get treatment.”