Stacy is a 10-year-old girl from Kenya. Since she was young, Stacy has grown up living in a children's home since both parents are not in her life. She shared that it was hard when she was first arrived but eventually Stacy started opening up and finding joy in the small moments, playing with her mates, and even enrolling in school. Currently in Grade 3, life has been a journey that has had lots of ups and downs. For years, Stacy has had umbilical hernia, which is a tissue bulge in the belly button area, occurring due to a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Stacy has been experiencing on and off pain at the site and was under pain medication, which did not provide lasting relief. One day, the home management came across information online, about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). After a call to BKKH, Stacy was brought to the hospital where she underwent a series of tests. Stacy's diagnosis was confirmed, and she has now been scheduled for a hernia repair surgery, on August 10th. Unfortunately, the home's management, dependent on well-wishers for their running, cannot afford to pay for her surgical treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stacy receive treatment. The procedure will cost $585, and once completed, Stacy will live a healthier life, free from her painful symptoms. She says: "I have had to stay back many times as my friends went to school because of the pain. I hope that after surgery I won't have to skip school anymore."

Yin is a loving 74-year-old grandfather from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. He is married and has five sons, two daughters, and 20 grandchildren. He previously worked as a housekeeper, but now lives with his wife, who helps take care of their grandchildren, and his youngest daughter, who works in the garment industry. His favorite hobbies are attending ceremonies, listening to the radio, listening to monks pray, and visiting the pagoda. About a year ago, Yin developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Yin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 17th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Yin is able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but needs help raising an additonal $238 to fund the procedure. He said, "I hope that after cataract surgery, my eyesight will improve so that I can see more clearly, attend ceremonies, visit the pagoda, and continue doing housework independently."

Dah is a 52-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and a son in the village in Karen State, Burma. Dah and her husband work as agricultural day laborers. Currently, Dah experiences back pain while sitting for long periods. She was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Dah's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Dah is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on June 25th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Dah's procedure and care. Dah said, “We do not have work every day. If there is work available but I have back and stomach pain, I cannot work, so we do not have income for the day that I did not get to work. I wish I could get the surgery and be free from this pain, but I do not have the money. Thank you so much for helping me. Without your help, I had decided that I would just stay with the stone inside me for the rest of my life.”