Medekse is a mother of five from Ethiopia. She is a widow and lives in a busy home with her five grown children—her two sons and three daughters. They all live together so they can take turns looking after her, cooking her meals, and making sure she is safe. Four years ago, Medekse developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her reduced vision and cloudy vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. Because she cannot see well, simple tasks and moving around her own home have become very difficult. For a woman who spent her life being independent, it is hard to accept that she now must rely on her children for daily help. She is currently trying her best to adapt, searching for a balance between her desire to do things on her own and her need for her family's support. Fortunately, on July 15th, Medekse 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, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Medekse shared, "I hope to spend my later years moving around easily, seeing clearly, and living comfortably." After a lifetime of leading and caring for her family, she has earned the right to keep her independence and live on her own terms.

Moo is a 58-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her two daughters in Mae Sot, Tak Province, Thailand. They moved to Thailand because there was a military airstrike in her village in 2023. In late July, while Moo was collecting vegetables, she fell and broke her left wrist. Due to financial challenges, she did not go to the hospital right away. She cannot grab or squeeze things. She cannot cook or do her own laundry. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Moo will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for October 2nd and will cost $1,500. This procedure will be able to help Moo be able to do her daily tasks again. Moo said, “Only my daughter works, and we depend on her. Her income is just enough to cover daily needs. We do not have extra money to save. When the accident happened, I decided not to get treatment at hospital because I think it will cost a lot and we do not have money. When I find out the cost of the treatment, I was shocked. I have never imaging having that much amount of money. I feel like I am a burden to my children and those who help me with the treatment cost. I asked not to get surgery, but the doctor told me that, if I do not do surgery, my hand cannot grab things. I still want to work and help around with the housework. Thank you so much for supporting with the treatment cost."

Srey Neth is a cheerful little girl from Cambodia. She is 21 months old and lives with her parents and three older siblings. Her oldest brother is in Grade 5, her second brother is in Grade 1, and her older sister is five years old. Her father works in construction, while her mother stays home to care for the children and manage the household. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and oranges. During her free time, she enjoys playing with slime with her older sister and watching cartoons together. Srey Neth has congenital pseudarthrosis of the right tibia, a condition that causes the bone to develop and heal abnormally. Her right lower leg is curved, and despite previous surgery and pin placement, the bone has not healed properly. The unhealed tibia and leg position affect the stability and development of her right leg. She needs further surgery to stabilize the bone and support healing so that she can have a better chance of standing, walking, and playing normally as she grows. Srey Neth's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. On August 13th, Srey Neth will undergo surgery that will improve her strength and mobility. Now, she needs help to fund this $582 procedure. Srey Neth's mother said, “I hope this surgery will stabilize my daughter’s right tibia and give her bone a better chance to heal so that, as she grows, she can eventually stand, walk, and play normally.”