Von is a 68-year-old loving grandfather from Cambodia. He retired from being a policeman and now works as a security guard at a local zoo. He is married and has one daughter, six sons, and four grandchildren. After work, he and his wife like to listen to the news and the monks' prayers on the radio. Four years ago, Von developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. His poor vision makes it difficult for him to see in bright or low light, making his work very challenging. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Von learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for eight hours seeking treatment. On July 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Von said, "I hope, after surgery, I can see better. I want to recognize things, go to work well, and help my wife take care of our grandchildren."

Six-year-old Tay lives with her mother, sister, and brother in a village in Shan State in Burma. Tay's mother is a teacher. When Tay was three years old, she was frequently ill with a rapid heartbeat and fingertips that would turn blue. Her mother brought her to a nearby hospital, where the doctor told them that Tay had congenital heart disease and would need to be treated in Yangon. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Tay's mother did not feel it was safe to take Tay to Yangon. When she turned five, Tay's symptoms worsened, and her mother brought her to a hospital in Yangon in August 2022. At the hospital, Tay was diagnosed with an atrial septal defect, and her mother was told that Tay would require surgery- which the family could not afford to pay for. Fortunately, Tay's aunt referred her to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, for help. Now Tay is scheduled to undergo atrial septal defect closure at Pun Hlaing Hospital on May 13th. As Tay is becoming progressively more ill- with episodes of rapid breathing and weight loss due to a lack of appetite- this procedure is critical for her health and well-being. Burma Children Medical Fund is seeking $1,500 to cover the cost of Tay's care. “When I learned that my daughter [Tay] needs surgery, I felt very sad and I cried because I cannot afford to pay for her surgery. But when I learned that the organization [BCMF] will support the cost of my daughter’s surgery, I felt very happy and thankful to all the donors and that organization. I want to see her healthy,” said Tay's mother.

Lopiro is a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania. His father is a livestock keeper who has two wives, which is common in their culture, and six children. Due to their remote location, Lopiro has been unable to attend school. He has been living with thoracic kyphoscoliosis and bilateral genu valgus for the past five years, which has severely impacted his mobility and prevented him from participating in community activities. Bilateral genu valgus means that his legs bow inwards. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, It is difficult for him to walk long distances and experiences considerable discomfort due to the abnormal gait he has developed. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery scheduled on June 27th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lopiro's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lopiro says, "My legs have been causing me a lot of pain when I try to help at home. I hope this treatment will reduce the discomfort I feel when I walk."