Sivchov is an 11-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives in Siem Reap Province with his parents, who are rice farmers. He is in the seventh grade and is the third child of four siblings. His older brother works as a construction worker, his sister is in Grade 9, and his youngest brother is in Grade 2. He enjoys playing football with his friends in the village. His favorite subject is mathematics, and he hopes to become a teacher when he grows up. Sivchov was born with a left arm weakness caused by a difficult delivery, which damaged the nerves controlling the movement of his left arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. The injury causes weakness and limited movement of his left arm. He has difficulty lifting and controlling his arm, using his hand, extending his fingers, writing, carrying objects, and performing daily activities independently. Sivchov traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On July 20th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery, which will improve the movement and function of his left arm. It will help him use his arm more effectively for daily activities, improve his ability to hold objects, and allow him to become more independent. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $737 to fund this procedure. Sivchov's mother said, “I hope this surgery will give my son a better chance to use his left arm. I want him to study, play, and grow up with confidence like other children.”

Abdeta is a farmer from Ethiopia. He is an 80-year-old father of five sons and two daughters and has farmed with just one eye for most of his life after losing his right eye as a child. For decades, he managed remarkably well on his own. Despite losing his right eye in a sudden accident, he never let anything stop him from working day and night to provide for his wife and kids. Now, a growing cataract in his left eye—his only working eye—is rapidly taking away his remaining sight. Without a clear vision, he can no longer farm or care for himself, making urgent medical treatment essential for him to get his life back. Losing the vision in his only good eye has completely changed his life, taking away his physical independence and daily peace of mind. Everyday activities that used to keep him self-reliant—like farming, walking safely around his home, and taking care of himself—are now dangerous or impossible. Fortunately, on August 1st, Abdeta 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. Abdeta is confident that after his surgery, he will return to work fully focused, ready to give it his total attention, and pick up right where he left off. He shared, "My goal is to stop relying on others for help, feel safe walking without fear of falling, and get my life and self-reliance back."

Van is a 75-year-old retired security guard from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is married and has two daughters, two sons, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife, his oldest daughter, and his oldest son. In his free time, his favorite hobby is listening to spiritual education from monks on his phone. Van has been experiencing cataracts for the past seven months. He developed a cataract in his left 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. Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek treatment. On September 7th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $263 more to fund his procedure and care. Van said, "I hope that after the cataract surgery, my vision will improve so that I can see more clearly, recognize my relatives easily, travel to faraway places, and cross the road safely by myself."