Keneth is an eight-year-old boy from Uganda who embodies humility, patience, and respect. As the youngest in a family of eight, he has three brothers—two who work as builders and one who works as a boda-boda operator. Two of his sisters are still in school, while the others are married and work as farmers. In his free time, Keneth enjoys playing football and grazing goats and sheep during the evenings. He is a great help at home, taking on tasks such as fetching water, collecting firewood, and cleaning the compound. Inspired by his class teacher at the local primary school, Keneth dreams of becoming a teacher one day. For the past two years, Keneth has been suffering from a condition that has caused swelling in a sensitive area. The condition has severely limited his ability to carry out daily activities, as he can barely lift anything heavy or engage in vigorous play. He experiences pain when urinating and suffers from abdominal discomfort, with the swelling worsening each day. After the family consulted with a doctor, Keneth underwent a scan, and was diagnosed with right inguinal scrotal hernia. The medical team has recommended surgery to ensure a complete recovery and to prevent potentially life-threatening complications like hernia strangulation. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, is helping Keneth receive treatment. On August 6th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Karoli Lwanga Nyakibale Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Now, Keneth's family needs help to fund this $230 procedure. Kenneth's mother says, "I dream of the day when I will see my child healthy again. He is the only one I have left at home, and he helps me so much; seeing him in pain breaks my heart. I believe that with support, he can undergo surgery and recover."

Meet Koemseng, an 11-year-old boy from Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia. His parents work as construction workers and his younger brother is in kindergarten. Koemseng is currently in 5th grade and enjoys his Khmer history class. At home, he likes to eat fried fish and eggs with rice and plays with his little brother. When Koemseng was six years old, he had a fever and received an injection in his left thigh at a local clinic. This caused quadriceps contracture, where the muscle became abnormally tight and shortened in his left leg. This condition left him unable to fully flex his left knee and caused an unusual walking pattern. A local hospital suggested that Koemseng's parents visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek help. Koemseng and his parents traveled for two and a half hours for diagnosis and treatment. On July 17th, Koemseng will undergo surgery on his left leg which will help lengthen and release the tight muscle, allowing the knee to bend more freely and improving overall leg function. Koemseng's family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $472 more to fund this procedure. Koemseng's father hopes that Koemseng can walk better and return to school to see his friends as soon as possible.

Setta is a 17-year-old student from Cambodia who lives with her mother, who works as a hairdresser from home. Setta is in the 11th grade and wants to be a teacher when she gets older. When she is at home, she enjoys eating bitter melon fried with rice, and often helps her mother with housework. Setta was born with idiopathic scoliosis, or an abnormal sideways "S" curvature of the spine. Her mom brought her to a public hospital, where she underwent a number of treatments for her condition. However, over the past five years, she has experienced back pain when walking for more than 20 minutes and the pain makes it difficult for her to sit comfortably in class. More recently, she has noticed difficulty breathing due to her rib cage pressing on her lungs. She also occasionally feels numbness in her legs from her vertebrae pressing on nerves. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Setta receive treatment. On September 3rd, specialty surgeons at CSC will perform a scoliosis spinal fusion surgery to correct Setta's spinal curvature and improve her health and quality of life. This surgery will relieve her chronic pain and allow her to breathe better, walk, sit, and study at school comfortably. Setta's mother can afford to contribute $100 toward her daughter's care. Now, she and her mother need help raising the remaining $1,400 to fund the surgery, hospitalization, implants, medication, and physiotherapy. Setta shared, "I hope after my operation, my spine will be straight. I want to walk with my friends and not have a hard time breathing, work to support myself when I am done with school, and not be ashamed of my back."