Debelo is 65-year-old farmer from Ethiopia, who has spent most of his life working on his land alongside his wife, to raise their six children. Debelo has always taken pride in providing for his family through hard physical work. Over the last year, however, a health problem has worn down his strength and independence. About a year ago, Debelo started experiencing an urgent and frequent need to pass urine, but difficulty in passing urine. The symptoms were especially worse at night. This has made his daily work exhausting, turning a job he used to care about into a daily struggle. The illness has affected other parts of his life as well, including social and community engagement. Debelo has been with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland. Physicians at Saglan Wajee General Hospital determined that he should undergo surgery treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure, which is scheduled to take place on August 23rd. This procedure will significantly improve Debelo's quality of life. Debelo said, "I just need to be healthy again. It has been a whole year of dealing with pain when I try to pass urine, and when I try to do anything. I just wish to be able to work and take care of my family financially, again."

Sopheara is a nine-year-old student from Cambodia. He is the only child in his family and lives with his parents, who are rice farmers. He enjoys reading and writing Khmer and likes making toy cars in his free time. His favorite foods are fried pork and chicken. He wishes to be an architect when he grows up. Sopheara was born with unilateral incomplete cleft lip and cleft palate. He underwent surgery for the condition, but there is still a gap in his gums that affects his eating, speaking, and symmetry of his face. Sopheara needs surgery to close the gap. Fortunately, Sopheara visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for further treatment. There, surgeons will perform an alveolar bone graft procedure on September 8th. CSC is requesting $665 to fund Sopheara's treatment and care. After treatment, the alveolar bone graft (ABG) will help fill the gap in his gum and support the development and stability of his upper jaw. It may also make eating and speaking more comfortable and improve the appearance and symmetry of his smile as he continues to grow. Sopheara's mother said, “I am happy that my son can receive this surgery. I hope the bone graft will help repair his gum and support his teeth as he grows. I want him to have a healthy smile and feel confident when he goes to school and meets other people.”

Ponleu is a four-year-old kindergarten student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham Province with his parents and his eight-month-old younger brother. His father works as a security guard, and his mother is a rice farmer. He enjoys writing and reading Khmer, loves watching cartoons and playing with toys, and dreams of becoming a doctor one day. For the past two years, Ponleu has been experiencing a runny nose, difficulty swallowing, nasal congestion, frequent cough, enlarged adenoids and tonsils, and fluid behind both eardrums (glue ear), causing mild to moderate hearing loss. His repeated ear and nose problems make it difficult for him to hear clearly and breathe comfortably. The condition can affect his learning, sleep, and enjoyment of everyday activities at kindergarten. Ponleu was recently diagnosed with enlarged adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund an adenoidectomy and grommet insertion for Ponleu, which is scheduled to take place on July 17th. Surgeons will remove his adenoids, hopefully relieving Ponleu of his symptoms and helping him hear better and live much more comfortably. Ponleu's grandfather said, “I hope this surgery will help my grandson breathe and hear better so he can stay healthy, enjoy kindergarten, and play happily without getting sick so often.”