Hervens is a 17-year-old high-school student from Haiti. He lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his parents, four brothers, and two sisters. His parents are both small-scale vendors. Hervens is in his second year of high school and likes art and literature. Hervens has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. Hervens needs fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On June 23rd, he will undergo heart surgery, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing to pay for surgery. Hervens'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 Hervens's family overseas. Hervens says: "I am looking forward to having more energy, and to being stronger after my surgery!"

Vathanak is nine years old and a fifth-grader from Cambodia. He is the youngest of three siblings and lives with his parents and older brothers in Phnom Penh. His father works for a private company, while his mother takes care of the household. He enjoys math, watching big-bike and sports-car videos, and eating soups with lots of vegetables. He hopes to become a businessman when he grows up. For the past six years, Vathanak has been experiencing a blocked nose, difficulty breathing, loud snoring, frequent coughing and sneezing, recurrent fever, and repeated episodes of pharyngitis. His frequent throat infections and breathing difficulties affect his sleep and overall comfort, causing him to become ill repeatedly. Vathanak was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Vathanak, which is scheduled to take place on September 7th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Vathanak of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Vathanak's mother said, “My biggest hope is that my son will be able to breathe and sleep better after the surgery. I want him to have fewer throat infections, feel healthier, and enjoy going to school and playing with his friends without being troubled by these symptoms.”

Zewditu is a 42-year-old mother of six from Ethiopia, who is a devoted wife and home maker. Her husband works as a day laborer, earning just enough money to provide food and shelter for the family. About four years ago, Zewditu developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her reduced eye sight and cloudy vision. The condition has made daily tasks like cooking and caring for her children much more difficult. Zewditu needs to undergo surgery to restore her sight, and be able to perform her daily activities with ease. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is helping Zewditu receive treatment. On July 12th, she will undergo cataract surgery where surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Zewditu needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. She says: "I hope to be able to handle my household tasks with ease again, and embrace my role as a mother with newfound energy."