Noeun is a 63-year-old basket weaver and mother who lives in Kandal province with her husband. Their two children live nearby and often help Noeun around the house. For work, she primarily weaves baskets to sell at the market. She supplements this income by doing part-time work in a rice paddy. In her free time, she enjoys making ansom chek–a Cambodian snack with sticky rice and banana steamed in banana leaves. About ten years ago, Noeun had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. To this day, Noeun experiences pain and discharge. She has trouble communicating and is constantly uncomfortable. She often spends money at the pharmacy to try different medicines, but she still experiences pain. Noeun traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 1st, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This cost will cover her medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Noeun hopes that after her surgery her hearing will improve and she finally won't experience pain anymore.

Naiduka is a 14-year-old boy from a large family in Ngorongoro, Tanzania. His father, a livestock keeper and being the eldest child of his family, Naiduka has always harbored a strong desire to attend school. Unfortunately, his aspirations have been thwarted, as most of his siblings were fortunate enough to receive an education, while he was left behind to care for the family’s livestock. At the tender age of 4, Naiduka’s legs began to bow inward, marking the onset of a mild condition that has since worsened as he grew older. While attending church, Naiduka received news of an upcoming clinic for children with treatable disabilities, which would be staffed by visiting doctors and nurses. He was excited to hear of this clinic and hopeful for a chance at receiving the treatment he needed. On July 6th, a kind priest facilitated his transportation to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Naiduka was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, meaning that his legs bow inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, this condition severely limits his purpose and role in his Maasai community, preventing him from undertaking the crucial task of herding cattle over vast distances in search of nourishing green pastures. He was also diagnosed with malnutrition and has been undergoing treatment and the implementation of a feeding plan to address this issue before he undergoes surgery. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $880 to fund surgery for Naiduka, which is scheduled for June 27th. Treatment will hopefully restore Naiduka's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Naiduka says, "I wish to get better and for my legs to look normal. Hopefully, after this treatment, my legs will be fine."

Sinath is a 25-year-old fisherman. He is married and lives in Kampong Thom province with his wife and their five-year-old son. His wife sells fish at the local market. When Sinath is not fishing, he likes to play volleyball with his friends in the village or spend time with his son. About three years ago, Sinath was on his motorbike, crashed into a tractor, and fractured his right tibia. At a local hospital, he underwent a procedure to repair the fracture by the installation of hardware in his leg. The fracture has healed, but the hardware remains and is now causing Sinath discomfort and pain, irritating the surrounding soft tissue and tendons. Sinath is worried because the hardware has been in his leg for three years. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 24th, Sinath will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. Sinath hopes to have no more pain in his leg. Sinath said: "I hope I will not worry about the hardware anymore and it will be easy for me to go fishing again."