Medekse is a mother of five from Ethiopia. She is a widow and lives in a busy home with her five grown children—her two sons and three daughters. They all live together so they can take turns looking after her, cooking her meals, and making sure she is safe. Four years ago, Medekse developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her reduced vision and cloudy vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. Because she cannot see well, simple tasks and moving around her own home have become very difficult. For a woman who spent her life being independent, it is hard to accept that she now must rely on her children for daily help. She is currently trying her best to adapt, searching for a balance between her desire to do things on her own and her need for her family's support. Fortunately, on July 15th, Medekse is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Medekse shared, "I hope to spend my later years moving around easily, seeing clearly, and living comfortably." After a lifetime of leading and caring for her family, she has earned the right to keep her independence and live on her own terms.

Maly is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her elderly mother, and grows rice for a living. In her free time, Maly enjoys planting vegetables around her home. About six years ago, Maly was involved in a motorcycle accident, causing a severe injury to her right leg. She underwent several procedures, but currently her right ankle remains fused in an equinus position, causing pain in her right toes, and making it difficult to put weight on her foot. She currently walks in crutches, and has difficulty moving around independently. When Maly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for 4 hours seeking treatment. On September 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to improve the position and stability of her foot, reduce pain, and help her walk more comfortably. Maly is able to contribute towards the cost of her treatment, but needs help raising $536 more to fund the procedure. She says, “I hope this surgery will reduce the pain in my right foot and help me walk more comfortably, without depending so much on crutches. I wish to be able to move around more independently, and return to my daily activities.”

Sophy is a 36-year-old woman from Battambang Province in Cambodia. She is married and has two children: a daughter in 11th grade and a son in 8th grade. Sophy and her husband are rice farmers. Sophy also sells breakfast to support her family, and in her free time, she enjoys going to the market to buy ingredients. In 2018, Sophy was in a motorcycle accident. Although there was no bone fracture at the time, she later developed bruising on her right ankle. The wound has not healed since. Due to the chronic infection on her ankle, Sophy been experiencing pain for years and has difficulty carrying out her work and daily activities. When Sophy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On May 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to help remove infected tissue and support proper healing of the chronic wound. Sophy contributed $50 toward her care and needs assistance raising $367 to fund the remaining cost of her procedure. Sophy said, "After the surgery, I hope that my wound will heal completely so I can walk comfortably and take care of my family again."