Hongseng is a 17-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in a small village with his parents. His father is a carpenter, and his mother works in a garment factory. He is the third of four siblings; his two older brothers are university students, and his younger sister is 13 months old. He studies in Grade 10 and enjoys mathematics. In his free time, he likes playing football with friends and doing homework. His favorite food is soup (especially lemongrass sour soup), and he hopes to become a teacher in the future. Early in February, Hongseng was involved in a high-speed motorcycle-to-motorcycle traffic accident, resulting in a closed fracture of his right leg with a wound above his kneecap. He is unable to walk, experiences significant pain and stiffness, and has been forced to miss school. The injury makes it difficult for him to perform daily activities independently. Following the accident, his relatives brought him to a Kru Khmer (traditional healer), where herbal medicine was applied, and the injured leg was bandaged with two bamboo splints for support. However, his condition did not improve, and a neighbor advised the family to seek further treatment the next day. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner's care facility, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 9th, Hongseng will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will help him walk again without pain, restore mobility to his right leg, and allow him to return to school and continue his education. His family can contribute $100 but needs help raising $500 more to fund his procedure and care. Hongseng's mother says, “After the surgery, I hope my son will be able to walk again without pain and return to school to continue his studies.”

Raffy is a father of four children—three sons and one infant daughter. The family resides in Parañaque City in the Philippines. Raffy works as a scrap collector and sells his finds at nearby shops. He earns enough to support his family's daily living expenses. However, Raffy admits that this income is just enough to cover their needs. His partner is a full-time housewife who remains at home to care for their children. He prefers that she not seek employment so she can focus on childcare and provide support during his current medical condition, further underscoring the family’s financial challenges and the significance of the assistance he needs. Three months ago, Raffy began to experience troubling symptoms, including constant pain in his stomach. He was diagnosed with a gallbladder disorder, known as cholecystitis, which causes discomfort due to inflammation. Raffy has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Raffy is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on January 30th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Raffy's surgery and care. Raffy shared, "Thank you so much to this foundation. If not for this program, I would not be able to get the operation I need. This is a big help to my family and me."

Christie is a four-year-old girl from Haiti, who lives with her parents and two older siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She is in preschool, and is learning to read. She loves dressing up and playing with her friends. Christie has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels next to her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Christie will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will use a device on the end of a catheter to plug the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $4,000 to pay for surgery. Christie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Christie's family overseas. Christie's mother says: "Our family is so thankful that our daughter has this chance to travel and to get her heart healed!"