Christine is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She is the youngest child in a family of three children. Her parents separated before she was born, and she and her siblings went to live with her mother and grandmother. Sadly, her grandmother has passed away, and the family now relies on other family members. Unfortunately, a while ago, her mother was involved in an accident that makes it difficult for her to work. Christine has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Christine has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Christine will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Christine receive treatment. On January 18th, she will undergo a procedure where doctors will drain the excess fluid from her brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Christine will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Now, Christine and her family need help raising $720 to fund her procedure and care. Christine’s mother shared, “it is very stressful as sometimes she cries a lot and I cannot tell what’s wrong.”

Lin is a teenage boy who lives near the border of Cambodia and Vietnam. Lin helps care for his two younger siblings so that his parents can work in a factory far from their family home. Lin likes growing vegetables and spending time with his friends. His goal is to return to school soon. A few weeks ago, Lin started experiencing ear discomfort, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Medication has not improved his condition. He is not sleeping well and is finding it difficult to communicate. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On March 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a myringotomy procedure to drain fluid from his ears so he can hear better and no longer experience his uncomfortable symptoms. Now, he needs $184 to help fund his procedure and care. Lin said he hopes his hearing and sleep can improve after surgery.

Hot is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and five grandchildren. She and her husband practice rice farming and live with their two daughters, who are students. In her free time, Hot likes to watch the news and movies on TV. About seven years ago, Hot developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and photophobia. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result of this condition, Hot has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Hot learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. Hot will undergo surgery on February 7th to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of this procedure is $225, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Hot said, "I hope I will no longer have eye irritation, tearing, or redness after surgery. I want to be able to go outside and see well to plant rice and vegetables."