Oun is a 72-year-old house worker from Prey Veng province. She is married with four daughters, one son and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is construction worker, and her oldest daughter, who is also a construction worker. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. About two years ago, Oun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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 is not able to go places on her own. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 20th, 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. Oun and her family are able to contribute $75 towards the cost of her treatment and need help raising $188 more to fund the procedure. Oun says: "I hope that after surgery my eye will feel better, that I will be able to recognize people, do housework independently, and venture outside safely."

Ximena is a 10-year-old student from Colombia. She is a loving, caring, cheerful, and respectful girl who is dedicated to her studies and loves spending time with family and friends. When she grows up, she wants to be a teacher because she likes helping others succeed in their studies. Ximena has had an epigastric hernia, or a protrusion of tissue in her upper abdominal area, for many years. This condition causes pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen, especially during physical exertion, which limits daily activities and has affected her quality of life. Fortunately, our medical partner Clinica Noel can help. On July 28th, Ximena will undergo hernia repair surgery, and she and her family are asking for help to raise $1,005 to fund Ximena's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Ximena's parents shared, "Thank you so very much for your generous help and for donating these funds for my daughter’s surgery. Your support means so much to us and gives us hope at this very important time. We will always be deeply grateful for your solidarity."

Lekiberu is a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is active, sociable, and loves being around people. He enjoys watching other children, learning spelling, and playing with his sister. He is very attached to people and loves spending time with others. Lekiberu lives with his parents, aunt, and sister in a rented house. His mother sells vegetables to support the family, while his father works as a daily laborer in construction. Lekiberu was born prematurely at seven months because his mother was seriously ill during pregnancy due to a blood-related condition. When Lekiberu turned four years old, he started losing his appetite. His mother first visited a pharmacy, where the pharmacist advised her to take him to a private hospital. At the hospital, the doctor examined Lekiberu, explained his condition, and prescribed supplements. His family became anxious, frustrated, and heartbroken because they could not afford surgery at a private hospital. After returning home, Lekiberu’s mother asked relatives for advice about his condition. They suggested taking him to our facility, BethanyKids. At first, she could not believe the service was real because of their difficult financial situation. However, they later visited, where Lekiberu was examined, and his condition was confirmed. Lekiberu was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Lekiberu has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. The medical team also discovered that he had low iron levels and was underweight, so his surgery was postponed for two months while he received treatment and nutritional support. Now, Lekiberu’s hemoglobin and iron levels are in good condition, and his health has improved. His mother shared, “My spirit also became better and relieved after coming to BethanyKids.” Lekiberu will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 29th. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Lekiberu’s mother expressed her gratitude, saying, “I have no words to express my feelings. People may not understand the situation we went through, but God knows everything. God bless you all, and glory to God. I know you sacrificed so much for Lekiberu, and I thank God for using you to support and help our family.”