Marion was born with an umbilical hernia; a condition that had grown more severe over time. She lost her mother when she was just a baby, and soon after, her father left. That's when her aunt Helen stepped in and took custody of her. "She is like my own daughter, and I want the best for her," Helen said.

Now 12 years old, David's journey began in the quiet village of Sama Nywalinga, nestled at the end of a long, dusty road, 120 miles from Sierra Leone's second-largest town of Bo. His world changed forever when, at just a year old, a boiling pot of water spilled on him in a tragic accident.

At a pivotal World Health Assembly (WHA) side event in Geneva, the non-governmental organizations Mercy Ships and Operation Smile commemorated a decade of leadership in global efforts to improve access to equitable surgical care. This event brought together global leaders, health ministers, and experts to celebrate progress, and confront the urgent challenges that remain in delivering safe, affordable surgical care to all.