Sokhon is a 49 year-old soup seller. She moved from a rural province to the capital Phnom Penh around 20 years ago, when she first got married. Her husband is a rickshaw driver, and together they have three daughters. One daughter is recently married, and the other two are in their final years of high school. Sokhon sells soup from a street cart. In her free time, she enjoys sleeping and watching Cambodian sitcoms. Around two years ago, Sokhon had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sokhon experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and persisitent ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear and she experiences constant discomfort. Sokhon traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 14th she will undergo left ear surgery. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She shared, "I hope I can go back to work and speak clearly with my customers, friends, and family."

Axel, who is a five year old kindergartener, lives with his parents in La Paz, Bolivia. His mother is studying engineering, while his father works in construction. Axel was born with a coronary fistula, a rare condition in which a hole exists between one of the arteries on the outside of the heart, and one of the chambers of the heart. Because of this condition, blood leaks through the hole, weakening Axel, because his heart does not receive sufficient blood flow. Fortunately, our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is here to help Axel access the treatment that he needs. On September 12th, doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will sew the hole closed, so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, Axel should be able to go on to live a strong and healthy life. Now Axel and his family need your help to fund this procedure, which will cost $1,500. Axel's mother said: "Our family is very happy to know that our son was chosen for surgery, and we are praying that everything will go well!"

Yong is a 54-year-old construction worker who lives in Phnom Penh with his wife, one son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. His wife sells popcorn near the Tonle Sap River to families and tourists. In his free time, Yong likes to listen to music, help his wife clean the house, or watch TV. Yong has diabetes and high blood pressure. About three months ago, he stepped on a nail at work and injured his right foot. The wound became infected, a common occurrence for people with diabetes who may not even know of the injury. Initially, Yong did not seek medical treatment because he could not afford the care. But when the wound did not heal, he visited a local clinic where a dressing was placed on his foot. Unfortunately, the wound has gotten larger - it now covers his ankle, and he has a constant fever. Yong is in pain, and he can no longer walk on his right foot or work in construction. If not treated, his infection could lead to gangrene and the loss of his foot. He is worried because he cannot afford to support his family if he cannot work. When Yong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he sought treatment. On September 19, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to clean away the dead skin and cover the ulcer with a skin graft. Doctors will use a healthy skin area (the donor site) taken from another part of his body and place it over the damaged skin. Now, Yong needs help to fund this $487 procedure. Yong said: "I hope my foot can heal from the infection and I can go to work again."