Srey Neang is a 22-year-old factory worker from Prey Veng, Cambodia. She lives with her parents, who are rice farmers, and is the middle child of three siblings. Before her injury, she worked to help support her family. In her free time, she enjoyed listening to music and watching movies. In April 2025, Srey Neang was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that caused an open fracture of her left femur. She lost consciousness for about 12 hours and was hospitalized for two weeks. Over the past year, she has undergone 10 surgeries, but the fracture became infected and developed chronic osteomyelitis. During her most recent operation, doctors placed an external fixator and antibiotic bone cement to control the infection. Despite these treatments, she continues to have drainage from the pin sites, a large bone defect in her left femur, pain, and difficulty walking. Srey Neang was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for specialized care. On July 17th, she will undergo surgery to remove the antibiotic bone cement, perform bone grafting, reconstruct the femur with an external frame, and perform an osteotomy to gradually restore the missing bone. This complex limb reconstruction aims to eliminate the infection, promote new bone growth, improve her ability to walk, and help her return to work. However, she cannot afford the full cost of treatment and needs financial assistance to receive this life-changing surgery. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help raising $483 more to fund her procedure and care. Srey Neang said, “After so many surgeries, I never gave up hope. I am grateful for this opportunity and hope this treatment will finally help my leg heal so I can walk again, return to work, and enjoy a normal life.”

Joel is a young student from Bolivia. He lives with his grandfather, who works in construction. Joel's mom works in Brazil in order to earn some money to send to the family. This year, Joel's grandfather noticed Joel looked very tired when walking, and his lips turned purple. Joel was diagnosed with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This involves a hole between two lower chambers of the heart, as well as a blockage that affects how blood flows out of the heart. As a result, Joel does not get enough oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On September 2nd, Joel will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will close the hole in his heart and remove the blockage so that blood can flow normally. Joel's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Joel's grandfather says, "Joel likes to go to school and have friends. I pray his surgery goes well so he can be healthy and return home."

Seven-year-old Debi is a student living in Ethiopia, with his parents and younger sister. Debi's childhood should be full of play and learning, but it has unfortunately been shaped by illness instead. For more than four years, Debi has lived with epilepsy, for which he takes medicine on a daily basis to control his seizures. Over the past year, a second problem has made life even more difficult. His tonsils repeatedly became badly infected, and at one point, his condition grew so severe, that he had to leave his KG 2 class. His education has been on hold ever since. His swollen tonsils keep him in constant discomfort. He has high fevers that return again and again, and he struggles to swallow his food, snores heavily, and is unable to sleep through the night. When the infection flares up, his parents have to rush him to the hospital, and he often stays there for days. The family is also under great strain for other reasons. Last year, Debi's father, a civil servant, was badly hurt in a car accident, and has only recently returned to work after a prolonged absence. His mother finished her studies last year, but has not been able to find a job. For Debi's parents, the cost of caring for him is overwhelming. Each flare-up brings another emergency trip to the hospital, and his seizure medicine is a cost they must meet every month. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Debi, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Debi of his symptoms, and helping him to live more comfortably. "We wish to see him strong again, sleeping through the night, and back at school with his friends. That would bring our family so much relief," said Debi's parents.