Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

Jenfa is a farmer from Ethiopia. He is 77 years old and lives with his wife and 10 children. For over a year, he has struggled with an enlarged prostate (BPH). Since getting a catheter four months ago, he has faced painful complications. As an active farmer used to working independently, the catheter has made everyday life very hard. It slows down his movement, stops him from doing his daily chores, and keeps him from seeing his friends and community. Losing his freedom has made him very unhappy. Simple, everyday tasks have become exhausting for him and his family. They are doing their best to help him through this hard time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund surgery that will help improve his quality of life. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 11th; he and his family need your help. Jenfa shared, "I hope to regain my strength and independence so I can enjoy a peaceful and active retirement."

Paw is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her parents, her husband, and seven siblings in the village in Hpapun District, Karen State, Burma. Her parents and husband are small-scale farmers with two of her siblings, while the other siblings are students. She is also a farmer and helps her family on the farm, until she became ill in October 2025. At the family farm, they grow rice, raise chickens and pigs, and forage for vegetables in the forest. Paw has a heart condition that requires replacement of the aortic and mitral heart valves, as well as the repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Paw continues to experience fatigue, and she suffers from breathing difficulties when she is tired. She can no longer walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund the complex surgery that Paw needs. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 1st. Once completed, Paw should be able to live more comfortably and to have a more active and healthy life. Paw said, “I cannot work with my parents and siblings as I get tired easily, and I feel sad for them. Once I recover, I hope to help my family, and in the future, I want to be a teacher and teach grade one and two students in my village.”