Noel is a hardworking father of five children from the Philippines. He works as a security guard and is the sole provider of the family. Five months ago, Noel began to experience troubling symptoms, including sudden and severe pain in his abdominal area which affected his back. He consulted at a hospital but was only given pain medications. The pain did not stop so he decided to get a second opinion at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital, where he was diagnosed with cholecystitis or gallstones. Noel has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. With the help of our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Noel is scheduled to undergo gallbladder removal surgery on June 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Noel's surgery and care. Noel shared, "I am very grateful for everyone who will make this surgery happen for me. With my family's current expenses and my income, we will never be able to afford a surgery like this so I am very thankful. You have given me and my family a chance to live a better life. Thank you."

Tay Za is a 19-year-old young man from Myanmar. He lives with his parents and two older sisters in Karen State, Myanmar. He works as a day laborer, while his father drives a motorbike taxi to support the family. His mother takes care of their home, and one of his sisters is a teacher, while the other works as an officer. Despite their combined efforts, their monthly income is not sufficient to cover medical treatment costs. In June this year, a small iron nail hit Tay Za's left eye during a workplace accident. Tay Za went to the local clinic where the doctor told him that there is a foreign body left in his left eye and that he should go to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), for further treatment. Three days later, he went to MSH where the doctor examined his eye and scheduled him for an urgent surgery the same evening, to remove the foreign body from his eye. Tay Za was then discharged from MSH after three days. A week later at the follow up clinic, Tay Za was advised to undergo another surgery to replace the eye lens. Currently, Tay Za struggles to see long distances clearly, and his left eye has become sensitive to light, requiring him to wear sunglasses whenever he goes outside. Unfortunately, due to these symptoms, he has had to stop working since his injury, which has placed an additional strain on his family's financial situation. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Tay Za's surgical procedure. On August 15th, doctors will perform a lens replacement surgery, during which they will remove Tay Za's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, Tay Za needs help to fund this procedure. Tay Za says, "After I recover from the surgery and my symptoms, I hope to return to work and begin saving money for my future. I am truly grateful to the donors for their support in my time of need. Thank you!"

Ki is a grandmother from Phnom Penh province. She is 70 years old and has two daughters and four grandchildren. Her husband passed away more than 30 years ago. She helps to support herself by baking Khmer cakes and selling them to passersby. Ki lives with her oldest daughter, who sells vegetables at a local market. They live in a stilt house built on wooden pilings raised above the ground to prevent flooding during the rainy season. However, Ki is afraid to walk up or down the steps, so she spends a lot of time alone in the house. Ki likes to cook and help her daughter with housework. About six months ago, Ki developed a cataract in her right eye. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, making it hard to see details, as if looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Ki's cataract causes her to not only have blurred vision but also makes it difficult for her to walk outside in bright or low sunlight. 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. Ki learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On August 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. KI and her family are able to contribute $100 to her healthcare costs, but still needs help to raise $153 to fund the procedure. Ki said: "I hope that after the surgery, I will be able to recognize my grandchildren’s faces and make desserts to sell again."