Kemert is a three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and brother. Her father works as a teacher, and her mother is a homemaker. Shortly after Kemert was born, she began experiencing recurrent tonsillitis. During these episodes, her throat becomes swollen and painful, she develops a fever, and she struggles to breathe, eat, and sleep. These periods of illness are emotionally difficult for Kemert and her family, who say the hardest part is watching her fight to breathe. Although tonsillitis can sometimes resolve on its own, doctors are recommending surgery because Kemert’s condition is severe and keeps returning. Currently, Kemert is experiencing symptoms and has been for about three months. Without treatment, her symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kemert, which is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Kemert of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Kemert’s family hopes for a future where she can feel peaceful during the day and sleep quietly through the night. Instead of being easily annoyed, tired all the time, and feeling sick, they want her to feel healthy and rested.

Vantha is a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. She enjoys doing household chores, feeding her pets, and growing vegetables around her home. Vantha lives with her husband, who is blind, and her children, who work in garment factories. She has four children, but sadly, two of them died in a traffic accident. On January 3rd, Vantha slipped and fell on a wet floor, causing her to fracture her right wrist. She experiences severe pain, especially when using her hand. This makes it difficult for her to perform daily activities, such as cooking, carrying objects, and doing other household tasks. After the injury, Vantha's family took her to a traditional Khmer practitioner for treatment. However, despite taking pain medication, she continues to experience severe pain. Since her condition did not improve, Vantha decided to go to Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for further evaluation and management. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 18th, Vantha will undergo a fracture repair procedure. CSC is requesting $600 to cover the cost of her treatment. The surgery will significantly relieve Vantha's pain, restore movement in her wrist, and allow her to use her hand normally. This will help her perform daily activities more comfortably and independently. Vantha said, “I want to be free from pain and able to move my wrist easily again. I hope after the surgery, I can live more comfortably and not worry about the pain every time I use my hand.”

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.”