Yadesa is an 80-year-old man from Ethiopia. He is a retired merchant who spent his life working hard and building an independent life. Since the deeply sad loss of his beloved wife, he has found comfort and support by moving in with one of his two brothers. One year ago, Yadesa developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and burning sensation. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. For a man who spent his whole life actively connecting with the world through buying and selling, this slow darkening of his sight is truly heartbreaking. It has made it incredibly hard for him to talk and spend time with his loved ones, enjoy the world around him, and hold onto the dignity and independence that have always defined who he is. Fortunately, Yadesa is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Yadesa shared, "I hope to regain the independence I so deeply miss, allowing me to navigate my home and enjoy the company of my brother with newfound ease and confidence."

No is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has four daughters, one son, and six grandchildren. His wife stays home to care for their household while No is farming. When he has free time, he enjoys watching the news on his phone. About two years ago, No developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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. No has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When No learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 22nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, No will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $263 to fund his procedure. No shared: "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better so I can go back to growing rice and plant some vegetables around my home."

Thea is a 49-year-old food seller from Cambodia. He lives in Prey Veaeng Province with his wife, who is also a food seller. They have two children; their eldest works in a footwear factory, and their youngest is in the fourth grade. In his free time, he enjoys chatting with friends in his village. One week ago, Thea sustained a fracture on his left ankle after hitting a stone while riding a motorcycle. The injury caused severe pain, swelling, and an inability to bear weight on the affected leg. Since then, he has experienced significant difficulty walking and relies on crutches for mobility. The pain and stiffness in his left ankle have limited his ability to work and carry out daily activities independently. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 11th, Thea will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will stabilize the fracture and allow the ankle to heal properly. It is expected to reduce pain, improve mobility, and help him walk more easily and return to his daily activities. Thea can contribute $50, but needs help raising $550 more to fund his procedure and care. Thea stated, “After the surgery, I hope that my pain and stiffness will improve, and that I will be able to walk more easily without relying on crutches. I hope to regain my independence, perform my daily activities comfortably, and improve my quality of life.”