Khorn is a 54-year-old father of four and a rice farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest son. His other children have moved out to nearby villages. His wife and his children also work as rice farmers. During his free time, Khorn likes listening to traditional Cambodian music and gardening. Around four years ago, Khorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to have watery eyes, headaches, 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. When Khorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 28th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and put an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope I can see clearly again. It is so hard for me to work and take care of my family."

Ly is an 18-year-old student who lives with his extended family in a bustling wooden house, including his father, mother, grandparents, three brothers, and one sister. His father and older brother work in construction, his mother works in a clothing factory, and his other siblings attend school. Ly would like to enter the military someday, but right now is concentrating on his schoolwork. When not studying, Ly likes to play football with his friends and brothers. In December 2023, Ly was involved in a motorbike accident and attempted to break his fall with his right arm. Unfortunately, he broke his right wrist in the process. His parents took him to a military hospital, but they could not afford the care, so Ly received a bamboo splint from a Khmer Traditional Healer for his wrist. He suffers from pain, cannot sleep, and his hand is very swollen. A local non-profit clinic suggested he seek treatment at Children's Surgical Centre. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 2nd, Ly will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This surgery will use metal hardware to compress the fragments of his wrist and support optimal healing. Ly said: "Hopefully I'll be able to use my hand again soon, so I can finish school and help my family."

Lezina is a 51-year-old woman with 3 children. She separated from her husband who later remarried and shared that she believes he left because of her medical condition. All her children are women and they got married at a tender age due to financial challenges in their family. Currently, Lezina has found it difficult to secure even a low-paying job as a maid. Lezina likes chatting with her grandchildren and enjoys eating anything that is available. Lezina indicated that she started experiencing a swelling above the umbilical area in 2020. She lived with the problem since it was on and off and was not associated with pain. Later in 2023, the swelling episodes became frequent and it began to affect her daily activities. Lezina presented herself to Kamuzu Central Hospital where different tests were done, without much help. As time passed by, in December 2023 she had increasing pains and went back to KCH where further assessments were done, and a diagnosis of hernia was made after identifying the source of pain. KCH booked Lezina on their waiting list. While still waiting, her first-born daughter met a friend who shared the good news that she was a beneficiary of Watsi's program with our partner African Mission Healthcare and recommended aher to report to PIH Hospital for support. Lezina met the surgeon at PIH who confirmed the diagnosis of hernia and the need for surgical intervention called hernia repair. A hernia is a condition in which soft tissue bulges through a weak point in the abdominal muscle. If the hernia is left untreated, the size of the protruding intestine might get bigger and become strangulated leading to the reduction of blood flow to the surrounding tissues which may be life-threatening. Lezina was referred to our program due to her financial instability. Her daughter committed to helping support her treatment and Lezina believes that the surgery will help her get back to normal life and that people will now have a different perception of her. Lezina needs your help raising $575 to fund her surgery. Lezina happily said, “I just want to get well and concentrate on my children.”