Surafel is a 14-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing football and dreams of becoming a professional football player. He also enjoys learning mathematics and spending time with his younger brother. His mother earns a living by selling vegetables on the street, while his father works as a daily laborer. Surafel was born with hypospadias, a condition in which the opening of the urethra is positioned differently. His mother noticed the condition soon after his birth and sought medical advice. She was told that it could be corrected when he was older. As Surafel grew, however, his mother became increasingly concerned. She visited several hospitals and was advised that he needed surgery, but they could not afford it. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Surafel's mother learned about our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on September 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Surafel’s mother said, “Thank you so much for the support you have given us and for your kindness. After many years of worry and uncertainty, I am grateful that my child has this opportunity. I sincerely hope and pray that his surgery will be successful and that he will have a better future.”

Rebira is a young boy from Ethiopia. This five-year-old boy lives with his mother and his older sister. His father is a soldier, serving away from home, so his mother raises the children on her own. She earns a small income selling vegetables at the local market. Rebira arrived at the hospital wearing his traditional dress, as last month was a season of holidays in Ethiopia. He came full of hope that he would finally be free from the trouble he has lived with for so long. His problems began more than three years ago with repeated throat infections. A year ago, surgeons removed his tonsils, but the adenoids behind his nose were left in place. They are still swollen, and they continue to block his airway. Because of this, he snores loudly, breathes through his mouth day and night, and wakes often. He never sleeps properly, and he wakes up tired. Poor sleep leaves him exhausted every day. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund surgery for Rebira, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Rebira of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Rebira's mother shared, "We hope this is the last time he has to go into an operating room. We just want him to be completely healthy."

Van is a 75-year-old retired security guard from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He is married and has two daughters, two sons, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife, his oldest daughter, and his oldest son. In his free time, his favorite hobby is listening to spiritual education from monks on his phone. Van has been experiencing cataracts for the past seven months. He developed a cataract in his left 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 he is not able to go places on his own. Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to seek treatment. On September 7th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $263 more to fund his procedure and care. Van said, "I hope that after the cataract surgery, my vision will improve so that I can see more clearly, recognize my relatives easily, travel to faraway places, and cross the road safely by myself."