Neang is a 61-year-old loving grandmother from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. She is married with two daughters, five sons, and 20 grandchildren. She lives with her husband, a retired assistant of the commune, and they are supported financially by their children. Her favorite hobby is listening to monks praying on the radio. About one year ago, Neang 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 Neang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 13th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Neang needs help to fund this $263 procedure. She says: "I hope that after surgery my vision will improve so I can easily recognize my relatives, travel to distant places, and comfortably manage my housework."

Veasna is a 39-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Cham with his wife and their two children. His wife works at a garment factory, their first child is in Grade 3, and their youngest child is 2 years old. He d also takes day labor jobs to help support his family. On April 25, 2026, Veasna was involved in a motorcycle-car accident that caused a fracture of his left humerus. He underwent surgery for his humerus fracture, but afterward, he remained unable to move his left arm and was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for further treatment. 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. He has severe weakness and loss of sensation in his left arm and is unable to actively move his shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers. His arm is currently nonfunctional, making it difficult for him to farm, earn an income, and perform everyday activities independently. Veasna 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 August 11th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain some movement and function in his left arm, making daily activities easier and allowing him to become more independent and return to farming. His family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $637 more to fund his procedure and care. Veasna said, “I hope this surgery can help restore some movement and function in my left arm. Even if my arm cannot fully recover, I hope to become more independent, return to farming, and make my daily activities easier.”

Seven-year-old Debi is a student living in Ethiopia, with his parents and younger sister. Debi's childhood should be full of play and learning, but it has unfortunately been shaped by illness instead. For more than four years, Debi has lived with epilepsy, for which he takes medicine on a daily basis to control his seizures. Over the past year, a second problem has made life even more difficult. His tonsils repeatedly became badly infected, and at one point, his condition grew so severe, that he had to leave his KG 2 class. His education has been on hold ever since. His swollen tonsils keep him in constant discomfort. He has high fevers that return again and again, and he struggles to swallow his food, snores heavily, and is unable to sleep through the night. When the infection flares up, his parents have to rush him to the hospital, and he often stays there for days. The family is also under great strain for other reasons. Last year, Debi's father, a civil servant, was badly hurt in a car accident, and has only recently returned to work after a prolonged absence. His mother finished her studies last year, but has not been able to find a job. For Debi's parents, the cost of caring for him is overwhelming. Each flare-up brings another emergency trip to the hospital, and his seizure medicine is a cost they must meet every month. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Debi, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Debi of his symptoms, and helping him to live more comfortably. "We wish to see him strong again, sleeping through the night, and back at school with his friends. That would bring our family so much relief," said Debi's parents.