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.

Simeng is an eight-year-old Grade 4 student from Cambodia. She lives in Svay Rieng Province with her parents, who both work in garment factories, and a younger brother who attends kindergarten. Simeng enjoys studying Khmer, and dreams of becoming a nurse in future. In December 2025, Simeng was involved in a road traffic accident that caused a fracture on her left elbow. She underwent surgery at a hospital in Vietnam, where doctors stabilized the fracture with metal pins because her family lives near the Cambodia–Vietnam border. The fracture has healed well, and she has regained full movement and normal function of her left arm. She has returned to her daily activities, and the metal pins can now be safely removed as the final step in her treatment. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 13th, Simeng will undergo a surgical hardware removal procedure, which will cost $378. The surgery will remove the metal pins from her left elbow, completing her recovery and allowing her to continue using her arm comfortably for school, play, and daily activities. Simeng's father said, “I am grateful my daughter’s arm has healed. I hope removing the implants will complete her recovery, so she can continue growing up healthy and active.”

Saroeun is a 37-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who is also a rice farmer, and their two children. Their eldest child is in Grade 2, and their youngest is 13 months old. In his free time, he enjoys taking care of his children and feeding the family's chickens. In September 2018, Saoeun was involved in a motorcycle traffic accident that caused a closed fracture of his right femur. He underwent surgery the same day at a government hospital, and the fracture was stabilized with a locking nail. Although the fracture has healed well, he often experiences pain in his right thigh during cold weather, which makes farming and some daily activities uncomfortable. The metal implant is no longer needed and is believed to be contributing to his discomfort. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 17th, Saroeun will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will relieve his pain, improve his comfort, and allow him to continue farming and caring for his family without discomfort related to the implant. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $278 more to fund his procedure and care. Saroeun said, “I hope removing the metal implant will stop the pain I feel during cold weather. I want to continue farming comfortably and carry out my daily activities without worrying about my leg.”