Kemert is a three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and brother. Her father works as a teacher, and her mother is a homemaker. Shortly after Kemert was born, she began experiencing recurrent tonsillitis. During these episodes, her throat becomes swollen and painful, she develops a fever, and she struggles to breathe, eat, and sleep. These periods of illness are emotionally difficult for Kemert and her family, who say the hardest part is watching her fight to breathe. Although tonsillitis can sometimes resolve on its own, doctors are recommending surgery because Kemert’s condition is severe and keeps returning. Currently, Kemert is experiencing symptoms and has been for about three months. Without treatment, her symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kemert, which is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Kemert of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Kemert’s family hopes for a future where she can feel peaceful during the day and sleep quietly through the night. Instead of being easily annoyed, tired all the time, and feeling sick, they want her to feel healthy and rested.

Roth is a seven-year-old Grade 2 student from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal Province with her parents and her four-year-old brother. Her father is a police officer, and her mother is a nurse at a private clinic. She enjoys playing with her little brother, loves studying Khmer, and dreams of becoming a doctor. Roth had an ear infection since the age of two. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Roth experiences recurrent ear discharge, left ear pain, repeated ear infections, and moderate hearing loss in both ears. The repeated ear infections and hearing loss affect her ability to hear clearly and may interfere with her learning and daily activities. Without treatment, she remains at risk of ongoing infections and worsening hearing. Roth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 14th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $363 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Roth's mother said, “I hope this surgery will stop my daughter’s repeated ear infections and help her hear better. It has been difficult to see her suffer for so many years, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”

Seab is a 70-year-old woman from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. She is married and has two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. Seab and her husband used to work as farmers growing rice. They have retired and receive support from their children, with some of their children working as farmers and others working in garment factories. In her free time, Seab enjoys listening to spiritual teachings from monks on the radio. About one year ago, Seab developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Seab learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Seab contributed a $25 co-pay toward her treatment and needs help raising $238 more to fund her surgery. Seab shared her hopes that, after cataract surgery, her vision will improve so she can see more clearly, go outside easily, recognize her relatives, and carry out her housework independently.