Theara is a 19-year-old student from Cambodia. His parents are farmers and grow rice and vegetables. He has three siblings, including one brother and two sisters. He is in the 12th grade and enjoys reading Khmer literature. When he graduates from high school, he would like to attend a university to study law. Theara was born with bilateral club feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. His parents consulted with a local hospital when he was born, but they did not follow up because they did not have the money. Now, he has difficulty walking and cannot wear shoes. He feels embarrassed by his condition and does not like to socialize with other people due to his disability. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. Theara traveled two and a half hours to visit CSC where, on November 15th, surgeons will perform a tendon transfer procedure with bilateral clubfoot frames. After treatment, he can learn to walk normally and will have more self confidence. Now, he needs help raising $444 to fund his procedure and care. Theara shared, "after surgery, I hope I can walk and run, and wear shoes like other young men, so I can continue my education."

Mwandu is a 5-year-old girl — the first born and the only child in her family. She lives with her parents in a small town called Msevya in the northwestern side of Tanzania. Her parents are subsistence farmers who rely on agriculture for food and money. Inflation has negatively affected their source of livelihood. As small-scale farmers, managing their crops has been more costly than purchasing crops from the market. One day when Mwandu was young, she was playing inside the house while her parents were working on the farm. Her mother had set a pot on the stove to prepare tea. Mwandu walked close to the stove and pulled the pot with her bare hands. Hot tea spilled on her arm and the right side of her body. She got burnt on her arm and armpit. Now burn contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her burn, limiting her arm extension and involvement in day-to-day activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mwandu receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her increase extension of her right arm and allow her fully enjoy her childhood and school activities. Now, she needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Mwandu’s father says, “I hope she gets better because she will be starting school soon.”

Srey Tin is a clever third-grader from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and her 2-month-old sister in Banteay Mean Chey province. Her parents work in their village as rice and potato farmers. Srey Tin's favorite subjects are science and reading, and she would like to be a nurse someday. For the past two years, Srey Tin has been experiencing a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. Her symptoms have affected daily activities like attending school and eating. Srey Tin was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if left untreated, will cause her symptoms to persist and potentially intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a procedure to remove Srey Tin's tonsils and adenoid glands. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 16th. After the procedure, Srey Tin will hopefully be relieved of her symptoms and live much more comfortably. Her mother hopes she will feel better after surgery and be able to return to school.