Lav is an elderly widow, who lives with her youngest son in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. Her other five children live nearby, and work in factories and rice paddies. Lav's favorite activities are spending time with her six grandchildren, and going to the pagoda in her village to pray and volunteer. Five years ago Lav developed a cataract in her left eye, which causes her to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Because her vision is impaired, she is reluctant to go out and about on her own. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $253 to fund cataract surgery for Lav. On July 3rd, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After she has recovered, Lav will be able to see clearly again. Lav said: "I hope that I can enjoy my life and walk places on my own."

Annizabelle is an 11-year-old fifth-grader who lives with her parents and three siblings in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Her father is a mechanic, and her mother is a vendor. Anizabelle has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the valves in her heart is severely damaged due to an infection she suffered earlier in her childhood. As a result, her heart is unable to adequately pump blood through her body, leaving her weak and short of breath. Fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Annizabelle receive treatment. Annizabelle and her family will fly to the Dominican Republic, where she will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital CEDIMAT on August 8th. During the surgery, doctors will attempt to repair her existing valve. If they cannot repair the valve, they will remove it, and implant an artificial replacement. HCA is contributing $9,000 to pay for the surgery. Now Annizabelle and her family need help to cover the $1,500 for the pre-surgical prep, lab tests, medicines and post operative follow up visits. In addition, this sum will pay for the passports for the social workers who will accompany the family overseas. Annizabelle's mother said: "Our family is praying that this surgery will be a success so that our daughter can get back to focusing on school and the rest of her life."

Nun, who is 19 years old and a construction worker, lives with his parents and three siblings in Kampong Speu province. Nun's parents are rice farmers, while his 18 year old brother is a hairdresser. His two youngest siblings are not yet old enough to attend school. In July, while he was on his way home from work, Nun's motorbike was hit from behind by a car, and his left femur was shattered. His parents took him to a local government hospital, but as they could not afford the cost of surgery, Nun visited a local Khmer traditional healer. After three months, he still suffers from weakness and pain, and is unable to walk or return to his construction job. A local tuk-tuk driver brought him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for treatment. His leg was put in traction to reduce the fracture and to help align the fragmented bones. However, fracture reduction surgery is essential to ensure that the bone heals properly, and that permanent functional loss or disability is avoided. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On October 20th, Nun will undergo a fracture repair procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will cost $483. This surgery will physically reconnect his fractured bone with wires, enabling Nun to walk again. Nun said: "I hope I can walk again so I can return to work and helping my family."