Emmanuel is a 45-year-old hardworking father from Philippines. He previously worked as driver to support his family, but is currently unemployed, which is challenging while raising two school-going children. His wife is also unemployed, and with no steady income, the family often skip meals and mainly depend on partial repayments of debts from relatives, and occasionally borrow money from the children's uncle. Six years ago, Emmanuel began to experience troubling symptoms, including intense chest pains that radiate to his back, which prevented him from sitting or lying down. He made repeated attempts to seek treatment in public hospitals, but these were unsuccessful due to overcrowding. Emmanuel is growing increasingly worried about not being able to provide for his family, yet he remains hopeful that the surgery could alleviate his painful symptoms and reduce the financial strain on his family. Emmanuel has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, which are hardened pieces of bile that form in the gallbladder. Doctors have advised him to undergo a cholecystectomy, which the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at a risk of future health complications. Emmanuel is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 11th, through our partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Emmanuel's surgery and care. Emmanuel says: "Despite our current struggles, I remain optimistic about our future. Once I receive treatment for my condition, I'll return to work so I can provide for my family again. My wife and children keep me strong."

Fatin is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. She is a hardworking Grade 4 student from Kompong Cham Province who enjoys studying mathematics. She lives with her mother, who is a rice farmer, and her two siblings. Her father passed away five years ago. Her oldest sister is a university student, and her older brother is in the 9th grade. In her free time, she helps her mother with daily work and completes her homework. She dreams of becoming a nurse in the future and enjoys eating chicken soup. Fatin was born with polydactyly of both feet. This means that she has extra toes on both feet. This condition makes it difficult for her to wear shoes comfortably and has caused her to be teased by other children, affecting her confidence. Fortunately, on April 21st, surgeons will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra toe. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, she will be able to wear shoes comfortably, walk more easily, and feel more confident in her daily life. Fatin's sister said, “After the surgery, I hope that my sister will no longer have difficulty wearing shoes and will feel more confident.”

Alemayew is a teenage boy from Ethiopia. This 14-year-old student is one of nine children growing up in a large, hardworking family. He lives with his father, who works as a farmer, his mother, who is a staff member at a flower factory, and his seven brothers and one sister. One year ago, Alemayew started to experience leg purulent discharge and pain. Following his review at our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that Alemayew undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo repair surgery. He needs help raising $900 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Alemayew's parents shared, "We are forced to watch our son in pain as we do not have the money for the surgery. We have no choice but to ask for help."