Raya is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is a middle child in a family of three boys, and just completed KG 1. His father works as a day laborer, while his mother takes care of their home. For about a year now, Raya has been experiencing severe tonsillitis. It started with throat pain, trouble sleeping and difficult in breathing. The illness has impacted the joy and experiences of his growing up. He finds it difficult to run around, play games or interact with his two brothers. Doctors have advised that Raya needs to undergo surgery, but unfortunately his family cannot afford it. If the condition is left untreated, his symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Raya, which is scheduled to take place on August 11th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Raya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. "We are worried about our son's health and accruing hospital bills. Our only wish is for him to be healthy, eat his food, and run around playing like any other child his age," his parents shared.

Segundo is a 59-year old man from the Philippines who works as a driver. His wife is unemployed, and they occasionally receive help with household expenses from their child, who runs a small business. Segundo has been living with thyroid concerns for the last year. Still, he pushes through to enjoy singing during special occasions and family gatherings. Segundo remains hopeful about his recovery and shared that undergoing free surgery would ease his family's financial stress and keep them from having to borrow money to pay for his treatment. A year ago, Segundo began to experience troubling symptoms, including periodic palpitations and a throbbing sensation in his eyes. He was diagnosed with multinodular non-toxic goiter and needs surgery to heal. A recent ultrasound showed that the number and size of his thyroid nodules had increased, prompting concern from his family and a desire to have surgery before his condition worsens. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Segundo receive treatment. On August 29th, he will undergo a thyroidectomy at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland. Part of his treatment cost is covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Segundo's procedure and care. Segundo said, "I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to receive free surgery. I look forward to getting better and continuing to enjoy singing and spending time with my family without worrying about my health."

Sao is a 61-year-old widow from Cambodia. She has three children and lives with her daughter. Her eldest child is a rice farmer, her second child works in Thailand, and her youngest is in Grade 10. She spends her free time caring for her grandchild and growing vegetables around her home. On July 20, 2025, Sao sustained a fracture of her right femur when a car struck her from behind in a road traffic accident. She was transferred to Vietnam, where surgeons stabilized the fracture with an intramedullary locking nail. However, the bone has not united, and she continues to need treatment. The unhealed fracture causes persistent pain in her right thigh and makes walking difficult. She relies on crutches and feels unstable when moving around, limiting her ability to carry out daily activities and care for her grandchild comfortably. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 20th, Sao will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will involve bone grafting at the fracture site, removal of the cerclage wires, and removal of the proximal screw to allow dynamization of the nail. These steps aim to encourage bone healing and improve stability in her right leg, helping her gradually regain more comfortable mobility. She can contribute $35, but needs help raising $550 more to fund her procedure and care. Sao's daughter said, “I worry about my mother because she is still in pain and struggles to walk after her accident. I hope this surgery helps her bone heal so she can walk more steadily, feel less pain, and return to her daily activities.”