Van is a 72-year-old Tuk-Tuk tricycle driver from Cambodia. He is married and has a son, five daughters, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife and his first daughter, who works in a grocery store. Van likes to listen to the latest news on his phone. About one year ago, Van 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 he is not able to go places on his own. When Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Van said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can go back to driving. I want to go to far places without worrying about my eyes. I feel happy when I can support my family."

Debelo is 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia, who has spent most of his life working on his land alongside his wife, to raise their six children. Debelo has always taken pride in providing for his family through hard physical work. Over the last year, however, a health problem has worn down his strength and independence. About a year ago, Debelo started experiencing an urgent and frequent need to pass urine, but difficulty in passing urine. The symptoms were especially worse at night. This has made his daily work exhausting, turning a job he used to care about into a daily struggle. The illness has affected other parts of his life as well, including social and community engagement. Debelo has been with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. Physicians at Saglan Wajee General Hospital determined that he should undergo surgery treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure, which is scheduled to take place on August 23rd. This procedure will significantly improve Debelo's quality of life. Debelo said, "I just need to be healthy again. It has been a whole year of dealing with pain when I try to pass urine, and when I try to do anything. I just wish to be able to work and take care of my family financially, again."

Naw Ree is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother, husband, sister, and brother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is a homemaker who also weaves traditional Karen clothes for sale. Her husband is not formerly employed, but looks after their vegetable garden, chickens, and two pigs. Her brother is a student, and her sister also weaves traditional Karen clothing. Together they earn 1,000 THB per month, which is often not enough to cover their daily expenses. The family receives free basic health care in the refugee camp provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Naw Ree is currently expecting her first child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Ree undergo a C-Section on May 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Ree needs your support. Naw Ree said, “I wish to work as a healthcare worker in the future. If given the opportunity, I will apply to study as a midwife or a nurse at the camp hospital when my child is older.”