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.”

Saroem is 22 years old and the youngest of four siblings from Cambodia. Her siblings work as factory workers, and the family lives together as a close-knit household. Saroem was born with a congenital condition called neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes usually noncancerous tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body. In 2017, with the support of Watsi, she underwent surgery to remove the mass on her hand, as it was affecting her ability to write, eat, and complete everyday tasks. For many years now, Saroem has had a mass on the right side of her upper jaw. The condition has persisted throughout her life without causing significant pain, but it has gradually affected her facial appearance and self-confidence. She often feels shy and self-conscious in social and professional settings due to the visible swelling. Saroem is scheduled for surgery on June 15th. Surgeons will perform a right facelift and mass removal to improve facial symmetry, reduce the mass, and help restore her confidence. Her family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $791 to fund her treatment and care. Saroem said, “For many years, I have been self-conscious because of the swelling on my face. I hope this surgery will improve my appearance and allow me to feel more comfortable and confident in my daily life.”

Hervens is a 17-year-old high-school student from Haiti. He lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. His parents are both small-scale vendors. Hervens is in his second year of high school and likes art and literature. Hervens has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. Hervens needs fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On June 23rd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Hervens'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 Hervens's family overseas. Hervens says: "I am looking forward to having more energy, and to being stronger after my surgery!"