Chhnok is a 78-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married, and is a father and grandfather. He and his wife live close to one of their daughters, and their children support their daily living expenses. In his free time, Chhnok likes listening to the news, and hearing the monks pray through his radio. About a year ago, Chhnok developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him 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 is not able to go places on his own. When Chhnok learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Chhnok is contributing towards his treatment but needs help to raise an additional $213 for the procedure. He says: "I hope that after surgery, my eye can see better easily as I walk around, and that I will be able to recognize my relatives, and attend ceremonies at the pagoda."

Kataleya is a sweet 13-year-old girl from Bolivia. Kataleya lives in the northern part of the country with her mother, who is a homemaker; her dad, who works in agriculture; and her younger sister. Kataleya was taken to the doctor with complaints of headaches, and it was during this visit that doctors heard a murmur and discovered her heart problem. Kataleya has a cardiac condition called an atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart: blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On May 20th, Kataleya will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Kataleya's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Kataleya's mother shared, "I'm grateful that my daughter is receiving her surgery. They told me the heart murmur was going to close with time, but recently we found out it didn't. I pray she will have a good surgery, and she can feel much better so she can exercise as she wishes."

Pla is a 49-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, three daughters, and son in a refugee camp in Thailand. Her husband works as a security guard in their section of the camp, while she works as a hospital helper at the camp hospital. Her son is a homemaker, two of her daughters are students, and her other daughter works for an organisation in the camp. In her free time, Pla enjoys weaving traditional Karen clothing with her daughters. When she was 10 years old, Pla lost vision in her right eye in an accident. In 2024, Pla started experiencing pain in her right eye. Later on, she also developed pain in her left eye. She was diagnosed with a cataract in her left eye and chronic ocular discomfort in her right eye. Doctors recommend enucleation, the removal of the eye, to treat this condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund this surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place on July 16th at our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. Once completed, Pla will hopefully live more comfortably. Pla said, “I would like to get proper treatment because my eye is in pain. I worry that it will affect my other eye. I hope that I will be fine after receiving treatment.”