Gabriel is a six-year-old boy from Kenya who enjoys playing and learning new things. His father is a construction worker, but his income is not always steady, and there are times when it is difficult for him to provide even the basic needs of the family. His mother is a homemaker and depends on her husband’s income to support the household. Gabriel has struggled with his hearing since birth and has not been able to develop speech like other kids his age. His parents first became concerned when they noticed that he did not respond whenever they called his name. As Gabriel grew older, his difficulties became more noticeable, especially when he started school. He struggled to understand his teachers and could not communicate easily with his classmates. While other children followed lessons, interacted with one another, and participated in classroom activities, Gabriel found himself struggling to understand what was being taught. Doctors have recommended hearing aids to help him access sound and support the development of the communication skills he has been missing. For his family, this brought new hope that Gabriel could finally have an opportunity to hear and communicate with the people around him. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Gabriel is scheduled to be fitted with hearing aids on October 2nd. He and his family need your help in raising $1,171 to fund the devices and his care. Hearing aids could help Gabriel build confidence and reduce the isolation he has experienced for much of his young life. "Seeing my son isolate himself from others pains me deeply. I just want him to hear, communicate, and interact with other children,” Gabriel’s dad shared.

Vun is a 38-year-old construction worker from Kampong Cham, Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who grows cassava, and their two school-aged children. As the family's primary income earner, he works long hours performing physically demanding construction work while also helping his wife on the farm whenever possible. About two months ago, Vun began experiencing severe lower back pain that radiated down his left leg. The pain gradually worsened and became especially severe during the past week, making it difficult for him to walk, stand for long periods, and continue working. A CT scan revealed a large herniated disc between the L5 and S1 vertebrae, compressing the nerve. After learning about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled two hours to reach the hospital and seek specialized care. On July 17th, he will undergo an L5–S1 discectomy (spinal surgery) at CSC to remove the damaged disc and relieve pressure on the affected nerve. The surgery is expected to reduce his pain, restore his mobility, and help him return to work and support his family. However, the cost of treatment is beyond what his family can afford, and he needs financial assistance to receive this life-changing surgery. They can contribute $100, but need help raising $1,500 more to help fund his procedure and care. Vun said, “I hope this surgery will take away the pain that has made even simple movements difficult. I look forward to walking normally again, returning to work, and providing for my family without being limited by my back.”

Phors is a 35-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. Phors is married and lives with her husband, who works in a factory, and their two children, one in Grade 6 and the other in kindergarten. She enjoys listening to music and spending time caring for her children. Three months ago, Phors had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Phors experiences pain, ringing in her right ear, reduced hearing, and ear discharge. An examination found a perforation in her right eardrum, and she was diagnosed with chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). Her ear problems make it difficult for Phors to hear clearly and communicate comfortably with others. As a rice farmer and mother, she hopes to improve her hearing so she can manage her farming work and care for her children more comfortably. On October 27th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Phors will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. She can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more to fund her procedure and care. Phors said, “I hope the surgery will help me hear better and reduce the problems with my right ear. I want to communicate more easily with others and continue my farming work comfortably. I’m looking forward to feeling better and returning to my daily activities without so much worry about my ear.”