Valery is a 37-year-old father from Haiti. He lives with his partner and their three-year-old daughter in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Valery works as a documentation officer at the international airport. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and spending time with his friends. Valery has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly due to an infection he suffered earlier in his life. This has led to heart failure, leaving him weak and short of breath. Valery needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 5th, he will undergo heart surgery, during which doctors will remove Valery's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Haitian Hearts Foundation, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Valery's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medications, and check-up and follow-up appointments. This cost also covers securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Valery's family overseas. Valery said, "I am so grateful to receive this surgery so that I can focus on my future with my family."

Poeurt is a 43-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who manages household tasks and cares for their two children. His first child is in Grade 8, and his second child is in Grade 6. He earns a living by growing rice and lotus. In his free time, he enjoys feeding and caring for his chickens and cows. In 2018, Poeurt had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Poeurt experiences hearing loss, tinnitus (ringing in the ear), and a history of chronic ear discharge caused by chronic suppurative otitis media (CSOM). The condition affects his ability to hear and communicate clearly with his family and others. His hearing difficulties make daily communication harder and may affect his ability to work comfortably on his farm. Poeurt traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 16th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for help to fund this procedure. Poeurt can contribute $100, but needs help raising $263 more. Poeurt said, “I hope this surgery will improve my hearing and stop the problems with my ear. I want to work on my farm, communicate with my family more easily, and live my daily life without worrying about my hearing.”

Medekse is a mother of five from Ethiopia. She is a widow and lives in a busy home with her five grown children—her two sons and three daughters. They all live together so they can take turns looking after her, cooking her meals, and making sure she is safe. Four years ago, Medekse developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her reduced vision and cloudy vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. Because she cannot see well, simple tasks and moving around her own home have become very difficult. For a woman who spent her life being independent, it is hard to accept that she now must rely on her children for daily help. She is currently trying her best to adapt, searching for a balance between her desire to do things on her own and her need for her family's support. Fortunately, on July 15th, Medekse 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, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Medekse shared, "I hope to spend my later years moving around easily, seeing clearly, and living comfortably." After a lifetime of leading and caring for her family, she has earned the right to keep her independence and live on her own terms.