Savoeun is a 60-year-old grandfather from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. He is married and has one son, two daughters, and three grandchildren. He retired from the military and is now a rice farmer with his wife and son. He enjoys listening to the news on the radio or visiting the local pagoda in their small rural village. About two years ago, Savoeun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He feels that he has lost much of his independence due to his limited vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Savoeun learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for 4.5 hours seeking treatment. On August 8th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery (cataract surgery that employs ultrasound energy), and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Savoeun is able to contribute $60 to the cost of the surgery and is asking for help to raise the remaining $253 to fully fund the procedure. He said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly again. I can go to the rice field with my wife and be useful to my family."

Kaleb is the only child of his mother and father; they live in La Paz, Bolivia. His father works in construction and his mother is a homemaker. Kaleb was born two months premature with a ventricular septal defect, or a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving the lungs unable to obtain oxygen. This leaves Kaleb weak and short of breath, and making it hard for him to gain weight. Last year Kaleb underwent a surgery to prepare him for the one he currently needs. It stabilized his heart so he could gain some weight in order to safely have the congenital cardiac surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is able to help with his upcoming procedure. Kaleb and his family need help raising $1,500 for his surgery that will take place September 14th. Kaleb’s mother says “Our son has been in and out of the hospital and very sick ever since he was born. We hope he will have a chance to be a normal child after his surgery."

Meet 18 year old Rathanak: He lives with his family in Kampong Chhnang province in Cambodia. His parents are rice farmers, while his older brother works in construction. Rathanak is in 11th grade at the local public school. In April 2023, a motorbike crashed into Rathanak from behind, during the revelries of the Khmer New Year. He was taken to a local hospital, where an X-ray revealed that his right hip had been dislocated. He underwent a closed hip reduction, and was sent home. Since then, Rathanak has had to walk on his tiptoes, because one leg is longer than the other. He went for a second consultation at a government hospital in Phnom Penh, but could not afford the treatment that was proposed. Now, in addition to limping badly, he has pain, which has prevented him from attending school. One of the doctors referred Rathanak to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where a consultation and additional X-ray revealed a persistent anterior hip dislocation. CSC surgeons plan to do an anterior reduction on August 8th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Rathanak and his family need your help to cover the $485 cost of the procedure, the medications, physiotherapy and the hospital stay. Rathanak said: "My wish is to walk normally again so I can return to school and have no pain."