Vor is a 75-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has three daughters, four sons, and many grandchildren. Vor lives with his wife, who has also retired from farming, and their youngest daughter, who is garment worker. Vor enjoys spending his time watching the news on TV and listening to monks pray on the radio. About one years ago, Vor developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so Vor is unable to go places on his own. When Vor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On October 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, Vor will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $263 to fund his procedure. Vor said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better so I can recognize and go to far places, join ceremony, and not worry about my eye anymore."

Diriba is 75 years old and a father of nine from Ethiopia. He is a farmer who has spent his whole life working the land alongside his wife. For over a year, cataracts have clouded Diriba's left eye, and he has completely lost vision in that eye over the past month. At the same time, age has weakened the vision in his right eye, leaving him almost completely blind. This sudden loss of sight has abruptly stopped his active life. Once a proud and independent man who loved farming and spending time with his community, he now depends entirely on others for everyday tasks. He can no longer visit friends, join family gatherings, or see his children and grandchildren clearly. This has placed a heavy emotional burden on both him and his wife as they hope for the return of his sight, freedom, and dignity. Fortunately, Diriba is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. On September 6th, surgeons will remove and replace the clouded lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Diriba shares, "I hope to get my eyesight back so I can be independent again and do my daily tasks easily. I look forward to visiting friends, joining family gatherings, and enjoying life with my wife and large family."

Anna is an eight-year-old student from Haiti. She lives in Port-au-Prince with her mother, father, and two younger brothers. Her father is a store clerk, and her mother is a teacher. She is in the third grade and likes all of her classes. Anna has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects, including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. These defects prevent her body from obtaining the oxygen it needs, leaving her weak and short of breath. Anna needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 19th, she will undergo heart surgery, during which time surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart and remove the blockage from her valve. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Anna's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Anna's family overseas. Anna's mother says, "Our family is hopeful that after this surgery, our daughter will have normal health for the first time."