Som Oeun is a 56-year-old man from Cambodia. He sells coffee in front of a factory in Phnom Penh. He is married and has three sons and one grandchild. He lives with his wife, who sells groceries, and with his youngest son, who is a student. He likes to listen to the news on his small radio. About three years ago, Som Oeun 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. Som Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On August 25th, 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. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Som Oeun shared, "I hope that after surgery, my eye can see better so I can go back to selling and I can drive the motorbike to go far places well and I don’t worry about my eyes anymore."

Kerson is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his father, who is a construction worker, and his mother, who is a waitress. He enjoys making art with crayons and singing. Kerson has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Kerson needs to fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 2nd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is funding his surgery; however, Kerson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Kerson's family overseas. Kerson's mother shared, "Our family will be so happy and relieved once we know our son is safe!"

Birhanu is 75 years old and a retired soldier from Ethiopia. His wife makes handicrafts to bring in extra money. Together, they work hard to support their four children—three sons and one daughter. For more than two years, however, a growing cloud in his left eye—known as a cataract—has turned his life upside down. Birhanu's vision has become blurry and weak, making it dangerous for him to walk outside, especially after dark. Simple chores around the house have also become exhausting challenges, taking away the independence and quiet daily routines he has relied on for decades. Fortunately, Birhanu is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Birhanu shared, "I hope to walk safely at night, go back to doing odd jobs to help my family, handle chores on my own, and get my confidence and active life back in the community."