Penglong is a 9th grader who lives with his parents and his 6-year-old sister in Kandal province, Cambodia. His parents are rice farmers, and sell vegetables at the market in the morning. At school, Penglong enjoys studying mathematics. He dreams of becoming a soldier when he grows up. At home, he loves eating rice with fried beef, and he enjoys watching soccer with his friends after school. Two years ago, Penglong injured his right knee while playing soccer, and since then, he hasn't been able to play. Just a month ago, his father noticed that Penglong's knees had developed angular deformities, and brought him to our medical partner, the Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for help. Doctors diagnosed Penglong with genu valgum on both sides, where the knees angle inwards and touch each other when he stands with his feet together, with his left knee being slightly higher than his right. On August 23rd, Penglong will undergo a procedure to correct his knees and align his legs. After surgery, he will be able to walk more comfortably and prevent future complications. Penglong and his family are able to contribute $100 but need your help to raise $369 to fund the procedure, post-op medications, and physiotherapy costs. Penglong shared, "I hope to be able to play soccer with my friends again after my surgery."

Libo is a spirited seven-year-old boy from South Sudan who loves to play and explore with his siblings. His family lives on what they grow in their farm, making every day a struggle to provide basic needs. Unfortunately, this means that Libo and his brothers have never had the chance to go to school. Tragically, in November 2023, Libo suffered a serious fall while playing, injuring his left leg. Although his mum rushed him to a nearby hospital, it had limited capacity to determine how badly he was hurt. Despite multiple visits to other hospitals, Libo didn’t receive the help he desperately needed. As the days went by, his leg swelled, and the pain grew worse. Presently, he cannot walk independently and relies completely on his mother to carry him. In June 2024, Libo was referred to a medical facility in South Sudan for the specialized care he required. After thorough examinations, he was transferred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, in August 2024. It was here that doctors discovered the severity of his condition: his leg has become infected, and the surrounding bones are broken. To save him, they recommend surgery to drain the infection and remove the damaged bones. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Libo receive treatment. On August 6th, Libo will undergo surgery, giving him a chance to heal and return to the joyful life of a child. However, the $505 needed for surgery is beyond what Libo’s family can afford. Libo's mother traveled from South Sudan to Kenya, filled with hope for her son’s recovery, and is now seeking help. She says, “I hold onto hope for my son's recovery. Libo is in so much pain; he struggles to sleep at night as the cold makes his pain even worse.

Tamiru is a brave and bright five-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves playing with friends and exploring new ideas. Tamiru comes from a large family with nine children—four daughters and five sons. His father is a farmer, but as the parents have aged, they can no longer work the land. Two of Tamiru's married sisters and their husbands support their parents by farming a portion of the family land. Three of his brothers work as daily laborers, while two younger brothers continue their education. Amidst these challenges, the family has faced immense hardship. One sister, who moved to Addis Ababa four years ago for domestic work, went missing after just one year. Despite their desperate search for her, the family has been left in distress, and the emotional toll has been heavy. Tamiru's mother carries the burden of daily life, managing the home and caring for the family. She struggles with her health, suffering from the effects of smoke from cooking fires and the relentless demands of their difficult living conditions. Their home, made of mud, was damaged during the war, and they now live in a makeshift tent against a crumbling wall, constantly fearing for their safety. With limited access to food, they often go hungry, surviving on just one meal a day or sometimes none at all. Tamiru has faced his own health challenges since birth, suffering from a painful left inguinal hernia, a condition that results from a weakness in the abdominal wall. This condition requires urgent surgery to prevent serious complications, and it has taken a toll on both him and his family, weighing heavily on their spirits. Tamiru's mother expresses the family's struggles, saying, “We never had the chance to go to school. We can’t read or write. I fear for my child’s health, and it has been incredibly difficult. We are thankful for the support we’ve received from the social worker to get here - to the city and to the hospital, but we need your help.” Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tamiru receive treatment. On October 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Center. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate Tamiru's pain and discomfort and prevent future medical complications. Now, Tamiru's family needs help to fund this $512 procedure. Tamiru's father says, “I hope that this surgery will treat his condition and allow him to live normally, free of any complications. I place my trust in God's hands and in the skills of the doctors.”