Yirga is a 72-year-old man from Ethiopia. He is a retired gas station worker and lives with his wife. Together, they have four adult children who remain actively involved in their lives. Ten years ago, Yirga underwent cataract surgery on his right eye, which restored his eyesight. Three years ago, doctors found another cataract in his left eye. At first, Yirga could manage his daily responsibilities despite the cataract. However, the cataract continued to grow and affect his sight. Yirga began experiencing challenges with reading, recognizing faces, and performing daily chores. Additionally, he had depth perception issues, making it difficult for him to walk independently. Eventually, Yirga became completely reliant on his children to guide him safely through each day. Fortunately, on November 4th, Yirga will undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the clouded lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Yirga hopes to regain his independence and dignity and return to an active life.

Sophai is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampot Province with his parents, whom he helps care for and support. He divorced his wife five months ago and has one young son, who currently lives with his mother. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In March 2023, Sophai was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his right shin bone. After the accident, he went to a private clinic in Kampot Province, where doctors performed surgery to repair his right tibia fracture and implanted a metal plate and screws to stabilize the bone during healing. Although the fracture has healed, the metal plate and screws still cause occasional pain and discomfort in his right leg, especially when he performs heavy physical work such as farming. The discomfort affects his ability to work comfortably and complete daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 4th, Sophai will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will remove the metal plate and screws from his healed right tibia, helping relieve discomfort and allowing him to move and work more comfortably. His family can contribute $25, but needs help to raise $353 more to fund his procedure and care. Sophai said, “I hope removing the metal plate and screws will relieve the discomfort in my leg so I can return to farming and carry out my daily work more comfortably.”

Fenet is eight-year-old girl from Ethiopia. She lives in a loving home with her parents and two brothers. She is supported by her father, who works for the government, and her mother, who was once a teacher but now devotes all her time to caring for their children. For the past seven years, Fenet has been fighting a difficult battle with chronic tonsillitis. This ongoing health struggle has made it very hard for her to enjoy her daily life and feel like a happy, active child. During an episode, Fenet experiences severe throat pain, low appetite, and exhausting fevers, leaving her without the energy she needs to play with friends or focus in school. She often misses class and is stressed about falling behind her classmates. Fenet was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Fenet, which is scheduled to take place on June 6th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Fenet of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Fenet’s parents shared, “We hope to provide her with a healthy and completely uninterrupted childhood, where she can finally leave behind these years of chronic throat pain and sudden fevers.”