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.

Chheanly is a 29-year-old military service member from Cambodia. He recently got married and lives in Kampong Thom Province with his wife, who works as a farmer. He is the third child of five siblings, and his older siblings are married and live in nearby villages. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends, but he is no longer able to participate because of his injury. In July 2025, Chheanly was involved in a motorcycle accident while transporting food down a mountain, resulting in multiple injuries, including a right clavicle fracture and a severe right brachial plexus injury affecting his entire arm. Since the accident, he has developed a right flail arm with complete weakness, pain, and stiffness. He is unable to move his right shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers, leaving the arm nonfunctional. This condition has significantly impacted his daily life, preventing him from performing many activities independently, affecting his ability to continue his military duties, and limiting his participation in activities he previously enjoyed, such as playing volleyball with his friends. When Chheanly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On August 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his right shoulder joint and to help stabilize his shoulder joint, reduce pain, and improve the position and function of his arm. This procedure will also prepare his arm for future treatments aimed at improving movement and independence. He can contribute $100, but needs help raising $511 more to fund his procedure and care. Chheanly said, “I hope this surgery will improve the stability of my shoulder, reduce my pain, and be the first step toward improving my arm function so I can become more independent and return to my daily life.”

Scovia is 58 years old and a mother of nine from Uganda. When she was 10, she lost both of her parents within a short period, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by their grandmother. She and her husband depend on farming as the family’s main source of livelihood. They primarily grow food crops such as beans, maize, and potatoes for household consumption and sell any surplus produce to generate income for her family’s needs. Twenty years ago, Scovia began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling at the front of her neck. Because the swelling grew slowly and was not painful, she did not initially seek medical attention. However, about a month ago, she began experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and increasing breathing difficulties. Concerned about her worsening condition, she sought medical care at a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Scovia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 2nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Scovia says, “This has never been painful, but recently, I couldn’t breathe. Am always catching my breath and can’t do anything about it because of limited finances. I kindly appeal to you for support to have my surgery so I can continue farming and keep my children in school.”