Kolaboth is a 21 year-old university student who lives in Phnom Penh with his parents and younger sister. As the first in his family to attend college, Kolaboth is in his third year of studying Economics. Right now, he enjoys research, but he does not know what he would like to do once he graduates. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends. Around four years ago, Kolaboth began experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, weight loss, and trouble sleeping. Frequent illness caused him to miss school and he is unable to play sports like he used to. Kolaboth was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Kolaboth, which is scheduled to take place on September 14. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Kolaboth of his symptoms and help him live much more comfortably. He shared, "I hope I can feel better and continue my studies without always having an infection."

Trish is a baby from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of two children. Her mother began working early this year as a teacher and earns very little. Her father was recently employed as a cattle herder. The family does not have medical insurance or the ability to pay for the surgery Trish needs. Trish was born a very healthy baby. She went through all expected developmental milestones until she was seven months old when her parents began noticing some changes in her. Trish has now been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result, Trish's head is increasing in circumference, and she is suffering with convulsions. Without treatment, Trish will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Trish was examined at a hospital near their home and referred to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital for treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help ensure Trish gets the treatment she needs. AMH is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 18 and will drain the excess fluid from Trish's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Trish will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Trish’s mother says, “It is very painful to see Trish not growing up like other children.”

Saw Htoo is an 11-year-old boy from Burma who lives with his parents, 4 brothers and a sister in a refugee camp, in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. His parents fled to the camp from Karen State, Burma, due to the civil war in 2010. Saw Htoo is in grade 4 and his favorite subject is English. His father used to work as a day laborer before travel restrictions were imposed on camp residents after the outbreak of covid-19. Since then, both of Saw Htoo’s parents are homemakers. Although they receive a small monthly cash card to purchase food in the camp, as well as free basic health care and education, they struggle to make ends meet. For the past 5 years, Saw Htoo has been brought frequently to the hospital in the camp due to having urine in his blood. He has also experienced pain while going to the bathroom, developed a fever and pain in his bladder area. He received an ultrasound, an x-ray of his kidney, ureter and bladder (KUB) and an intravenous pyelogram (IVP) and was diagnosed with a renal stone in his right renal pelvis. At a follow-up appointment in August 2023, he received another IVP which indicated that the stone was increasing in size and doctors recommended Saw Htoo have surgery to remove the stone. Saw Htoo has been experiencing pain in his back, and he often needs to take leave from school because of the pain. Fortunately, our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) can help. Saw Htoo is scheduled for surgery on September 8th, and BCMF is asking for help to raise $1,500 to fund the procedure. Saw Htoo said, “I want to become a football player [in the future] because I love to play football.”