Demise is a 64-year-old farmer from Ethiopia. He and his wife work together on their farm and have twelve children. A year ago, Demise developed a cataract in his left eye and was diagnosed at a government-funded hospital. However, due to a scheduling error, Demise never received proper treatment. Now, Demise has thick, cloudy vision. He has difficulty walking on uneven ground, detecting familiar faces, and reading his Bible. Moreover, Demise finds farm work difficult and relies heavily on his family to manage his responsibilities. Fortunately, on November 4th, Demise will undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the clouded lens, improving Demise's blurry vision. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Demise states, "After a year of waiting, I only want to work my land again, see my family's faces clearly, and read my Bible. I want to stand on my own and not be a burden to anyone."

Oul is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He is married, and his wife is also a rice farmer. They have two daughters, one son, and seven grandchildren. Their children work in construction and garment factories. Oul's favorite hobbies are watching boxing on television and participating in ceremonies. About one year ago, Oul developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience 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 he cannot go places on his own. When Oul learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 10th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Oul contributed a $25 co-pay toward his care and needs assistance raising $238 more to fund his surgery. Oul shared his hopes that, after surgery, his vision will improve so he can easily return to growing rice, travel to distant places, and no longer worry about his eyes.

Kidus is a seven-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is in the first grade, and lives with his parents and sister. His father works as a taxi driver, and his mother is a dedicated homemaker who prioritizes her children's care above all else. Two years ago, Kidus started to experience throat pain, appetite loss and disrupted sleep. He was diagnosed with chronic tonsillitis, which has led to frequent medical appointments, impacting his school attendance. Due to this Kidus is finding it difficult to keep up with his studies. If not treated, his symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kidus, which is scheduled to take place on June 6th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Kidus of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Hopeful for Kidus's improved sleep, and a better focus on his education after treatment, his parents say: "Beyond the financial burden, his illness has deeply affected our family's well-being. We are incredibly hopeful for this next chapter, as the upcoming surgery promises a fresh start for our son and our family."