Naf is a second-grader from Ethiopia. This eight-year-old and proud big brother is known for being very smart and loving to learn. For over four years, he has quietly suffered from severe tonsil problems. The symptoms worsened over the past year, interrupting a happy childhood supported by his father, a teacher who helps with his studies, and his mother, who works hard at a hair salon. Every day is a struggle for Naf. He misses a lot of school because of his health. He has trouble sleeping, struggles to breathe, breathes through his mouth during the day, and has speech issues that make it hard to talk to others. His family cares for him deeply, but the mounting medical bills have made it hard to pay for the specialized care he urgently needs. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Naf, which is scheduled to take place on September 26th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Naf of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Naf's parents shared, "We cannot wait to get the surgery done so he can smile and play like the happy, energetic kid he was four years ago."

Chhuong is a 45-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Prey Veaeng Province with his wife, who manages household duties and takes care of their three children, all of whom are students. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In April 2024, Chhuong sustained a left distal femur injury following a fall from stairs, resulting in a fracture in his left distal femur. He previously underwent surgical fixation of the left distal femur with a plate and screws in a hospital in Thailand to stabilize the fracture and promote healing. About six months after the surgery, he slipped and fell again. Since then, he has been experiencing left thigh pain for the past six months, associated with loosening of the implant. The condition has caused difficulty in walking, and he currently relies on crutches for mobility. It significantly affects his daily activities and work capacity. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 10th, Chhuong will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help relieve pain, reduce discomfort, and improve mobility, allowing him to walk more comfortably and return to his normal daily and work activities. He can contribute $50, but needs help raising $328 more to fund his procedure and care. Chhuong said, “Today, I hope the surgery to remove the hardware goes well. I look forward to the next steps in my treatment so that my pain can improve and I can walk more comfortably again.”

Met is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom, Cambodia. She is married and has one son, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired rice farmer. Her children are rice farmers, too. During her free time, she likes to visit her children's houses and go to the pagoda. About ten years ago, Met developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Met learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Met needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The procedure will take place on June 9th, and she needs help raising $286 to fund her procedure and care. Met said, "I hope after surgery, my eye will no longer be tearing, irritated, or red, so I don't have to worry about it anymore. I can go back to growing some vegetables around my house, and I can go to the pagoda and join the ceremonies and visit my relatives, too!"