Meet our CoolKids.

Growing Up ALTSO: mobility for the future.

Your support helps provide high-quality mobility care, empowering children to move confidently into the classroom and out into the world, ready to pursue their dreams. Since 2003, we have served more than 24,000 children, transforming the next generation, one CoolKid at a time.

Mobility provides access to education, future employment, and the chance to break the poverty cycle; but it also provides the little things in life that every child deserves—the joy of playing with your friends, the excitement of being the first in your family to attend college, and the hope that your dreams are a possibility. Meet a few of the CoolKids we serve together below.

 

Meet Sopriya

When we met Sopriya, her parents were worried she would never smile again. Now, Sopriya has regained her smile and studies at an international university.

Meet Dwi

When we met Dwi, he was a young kid with dreams of becoming a professional athlete. Now, Dwi is a Paralympic athlete winning medals.

Meet Shivani

When we met Shivani, she could barely walk as her prosthetic limb was too heavy for her. Now, Shivani runs and plays thanks to her Joshi prosthetic limb.

 

Meet Sengsavsnh

When we met Sengsavanh, she relied on her mother to carry her everywhere. Now, they both feel "happy and independent” and enjoy visiting the park.

Meet Alisha

When we met Alisha, she was painfully walking with a substandard prosthetic limb. Now, Alisha dances and rollerblades, and enjoys simply being a kid.

Meet Chantrey

When we met Chantrey, she told us “I wanted to play with my classmates...but, I could not.” Now, you can find her playing badminton with her friends at recess.

 

Meet Putheara

When we met Putheara, she was a young girl, just beginning to navigate life with her orthotic braces. Now, Putheara is almost done with high school.

Meet Naufal

When we met Naufal, his only form of mobility was walking on his knees. Now, Naufal is the youngest member of the Paralympic Archery team in his city.

Meet Seyha

When we met Seyha, she had been living without access to a prosthetic limb for five years. Now, Seyha is confidently studying law at university. 

 

Meet Awatt

When we met Awatt, he had just lost his leg while trying to buy cookies. Now, Awatt’s dreams include becoming a doctor and flying like Spider-Man.

Meet Estera

When we met Estera, she was using an ill-fitted wheelchair. Together, we provided Estera with her first appropriately fitted wheelchair.

Meet Tanvi

When we met Tanvi at two years old, she had just lost her leg. Now, she is consistently at the top of her class and dreams of working for the government.

 

Meet Panha

When we met Panha, he was a young kid, self-conscious of his disability. Now, he is a budding filmmaker, running his own business.

Meet Sreyly

When we met Sreyly, she had just lost her mom and her leg in a devastating accident. Now, she’s focused on what’s most important: getting to school on time.

Meet Roberto

When we met Roberto, he had outgrown his wheelchair. Together, we provided Roberto a new appropriately fitted wheelchair.

 

Photos have been taken by A.J. Warco, Director of Programs, during site visits.

The CoolKids Club.

100% of the children we serve will need continued treatment. A growing child needs care, on average, every six months. Join The CoolKids Club with a monthly donation to keep our CoolKids moving — Growing Up ALTSO is mobility for the future.

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The CoolKid Portrait.

Building self-esteem, raising awareness, and breaking barriers.

A.J. Warco, ALTSO’s Director of Programs, created the CoolKid portrait series in 2015: "As I visited each child and got to know their unique personalities, likes and ambitions, I was always left saying to myself...what a really cool kid.”

Our mission goes beyond providing free prosthetic limbs, orthotic braces, and appropriately fitted wheelchairs —we’re inspiring confidence and helping our CoolKids focus on what matters most: being kids. Playing, learning, dreaming big, and growing up knowing that they are supported and celebrated for exactly who they are. Follow us on Instagram, where we post weekly stories, photos, and videos of the children we serve together.

 More stories from the field.

Unique insight and perspective into the lives of the children who are forever changed by your support.

These stories have been written by A.J., who has been serving our CoolKids since 2009. 

 

Ganga

The Strongest Woman I Know.

Razoni

A 36 Hour Journey Into Western Bangladesh.

Refan

The Boy Who Survived The Crash.

 

Malalai Medal

Living Life To The Fullest.

P is for Poverty

Living In Absolute Poverty.