Porheang, a 41-year-old custodial worker from Phnom Penh, lives with her mother. Recently, her father passed away, which has led her to dedicate most of her time to supporting her family in making funeral arrangements and preparing for the upcoming Buddhist rituals. During her free time, she finds enjoyment in watching Cambodian soap operas. Around three years ago, Porheang had an ear infection. This infection caused her left ear's tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Porheang experiences pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others as she used to and frequently spends her limited money at the pharmacy for medications that do not work long-term. Porheang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 19th, 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, requests $487 to fund this procedure covering medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She shared, "I hope I can feel better and hear my friends and family."

Phillip, a charming 3-year-old, lives with his parents and eight siblings in a remote village in Tanzania. His parents work as farmers; their daily life revolves around the cultivation of maize and finger millet, which sustains their meals and provides a modest income for their family’s necessities. Phillip was born with clubfoot in his right foot, and three of his siblings and his father were also born with this condition. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Phillips’s father, who is aging and experiences clubfoot like Phillip, cannot work extended hours, so Phillip’s mother works diligently on the farm to ensure abundant harvests. Due to limited knowledge about this condition, his family did not previously seek treatment; however, one day, a glimmer of hope emerged when Phillip’s father met a boy who had the same condition but has now fully recovered. Upon learning about our medical partner’s care center, Phillip’s father was filled with hope and optimism and hurried home to share the information with his wife. Together, they decided to bring their son, Phillip, and three of his siblings to our medical partner’s care center. Happily, on October 6th, Phillip will begin clubfoot treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund Phillip’s surgery. After treatment, Phillip will experience improved mobility now and in the future. Phillip’s mother said, “I am glad there is a chance for my child to get treatment. I hope he doesn’t get to live with this disability for the rest of his life.”

Seng Toek lives in a rural village in Kampong Cham province, with his wife and two daughters, ages seven and one. At home, he likes to grow local vegetables to support their life together. Recently while collecting coconuts for food, a large one fell on his right shoulder. Despite being unable to use his shoulder or arm after the incident, he did not immediately seek healthcare because he could not afford it. Seng Toek is in constant pain and worried that he cannot support his family if he cannot work. A villager told him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where disabled Cambodians can receive healthcare. Seng Toek traveled for three hours to receive help for his shoulder and arm where surgeons told him he has a dislocated shoulder - this is an injury in which the upper arm bone pops out of the cup-shaped socket that's part of the shoulder blade. Seng Toek requires surgery to put the ball of his upper arm back into the socket and needs help to pay for the $485. This will cover all tests, surgery, post-operative care, and rehabilitation for his arm. Seng Toek said: "After surgery, I hope that I can work again and won’t have pain."