Thida is a 63-year-old woman from Kampong Cham province. She previously worked as a rice farmer but is now retired. She currently lives with her niece, who works in a garment factory. Her favorite hobbies are visiting the pagoda and attending religious ceremonies. About six months ago, Thida developed a cataract in her right eye, causing 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Thida learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 6th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Thida needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Thida says, "I hope that after surgery, my vision will improve so that I can easily recognize people, attend ceremonies, help my niece with household chores, take care of her children, and no longer worry about my eyesight."

Jesus is a 12-year-old student from Colombia. He is a calm boy, and like all children, can be mischievous at times, but overall is very easygoing. He enjoys video games and playing soccer. When he grows up, he wants to be a soccer player and play in the World Cup, just like Cristiano Ronaldo. Jesus has an inguinal hernia, a protrusion of abdominal contents through the inguinal canal. Surgery has been recommended to correct it and prevent possible future complications. This condition causes pain, which worsens with physical activity and may limit his movements. Fortunately, on July 28th, Jesus will undergo repair surgery, and our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Jesus's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow him to live more comfortably. Jesus's parents said, "We would like to express our deepest and most sincere gratitude for the invaluable support you provided by making our son’s hernia surgery possible. Your generosity touched our lives at a time of uncertainty and worry, becoming a true act of love, solidarity, and hope."

Joanita is a 25-year-old first-time expectant mother from Kabale District in Uganda. She and her husband are looking forward to becoming parents, and have tried to ensure that she's had a safe pregnancy. Joanita is a home maker while her husband works as a local radio presenter, the family's breadwinner. Although he works diligently, his earnings are often insufficient to meet the family's daily needs, rent, and outstanding loans. Throughout her pregnancy, Joanita remained committed to safeguarding her health and that of her unborn baby. She faithfully attended all her scheduled antenatal care visits at Rushoroza Hospital, where she received comprehensive maternal healthcare, including routine examinations, laboratory investigations, nutritional counselling, health education, and close monitoring of her pregnancy. Her pregnancy progressed well until the later weeks, when healthcare providers discovered that her baby was lying in a transverse position, which is when the baby lies across the uterus instead of in the normal head-down position. The medical team recommended an elective caesarean section as the safest method of delivery, to ensure the safety of Joanita and her baby. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Joanita undergo a C-Section on July 23rd. This procedure will cost $214, and Joanita needs your support. She says, "My husband and I have prayed and waited for this child with so much hope. We have done everything we could to protect this pregnancy, but today we cannot afford the surgery that will safely bring our baby into the world. I humbly seek your support, so I may safely hold my first child in my arms and begin motherhood with hope instead of fear. Your kindness will forever remain a blessing to our family."