Salome is a six-year-old girl from Malawi, and a Primary 2 student. To earn a living, her mother sells freezies in town, while her father does casual work. Three years ago, Salome was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. Due to the condition, she has been experiencing abdominal pain, loss of appetite, on and off swelling episodes that have affected her daily living. Her parents cannot afford surgery treatment, and it's also taken a toll on Salome's mother's business, as she spends most of her time attending to Salome. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Salome receive treatment. On September 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Salome's mother is hopeful for her daughter's better health. The family is seeking to raise $575 to fund the procedure. Salome's mother says: "I believe surgery will change the life of my daughter, by bringing comfort to her life. You are my last hope, and I believe my child's life will not be the same post-surgery, enabling me to concentrate on my business, while she puts more effort into her education."

Ricky is 51 years old and a forklift operator from the Philippines. He is the sole breadwinner for his family, earning through irregular employment. One of his children helps by working part-time as a package courier, while his youngest child is still in school. Four months ago, Ricky began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty passing stool, dizziness, frequent vomiting, and poor appetite. Ricky was diagnosed with gallstones and 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. His medical condition causes severe pain that affects his ability to work, placing additional financial strain on his family. The family hopes he can receive surgery soon so he can recover, return to work, and continue providing for his loved ones. Ricky sought treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). He is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on July 13th. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Ricky's surgery and care. Ricky shared, "I hope to recover soon so I can work without pain and continue providing for my family. This surgery would give us hope and ease the burden we have been carrying."

Dim is an 85-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and three grandchildren. His wife passed away 19 years ago from cancer, and Dim lives now with his son. Dim enjoys watching the news on TV and listening to monks pray on the radio. About two months ago, Dim developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have 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. Dim has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Dim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 21st, 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. Dim contributed a $25 co-pay toward his care and needs help raising $238 more to fund his surgery. Dim said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go outside and join ceremony and pagoda."