Brok is a 60-year-old grandmother. She and her husband are rice farmers from Prey Veng province, three and a half hours from the capital of Phnom Penh. They have two daughters and three young grandchildren. Brok works long hours outside in the bright sun, while one of her daughters stays home to manage the house and watch the children. At home, she enjoys watching Khmer dramas on the television. About a year ago, Brok developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurred vision and difficulty seeing in low or bright light. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. This vision loss can make it difficult for older adults to engage in social activities, watch television, or even recognize faces, which can lead to isolation and loneliness. When Brok learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Brok can contribute $50 but needs help to raise $203 more to fund her procedure. Brok said: "I feel bad because it is hard to see when I go out and I can’t go to plant rice. I hope after my operation I can go outside again to help my family."

Rehema is a four-year-old child from Tanzania. She is the youngest of four children in her family. Her family depends on farming maize and beans for their livelihood. Her father supplements their income by doing casual day jobs, such as working on other people’s farms and delivering water to the village using a bicycle. Two years ago, Rehema began experiencing pain while walking, and soon after, her legs started bowing outward. Rehema was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. she suffers from significant pain and struggles to walk even short distances in the community. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund surgery for Rehema. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 22nd at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Rehema's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Rehema's mother says: "I hope my daughter's legs will be fine and she will lead a good life".

Aaron is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. He has spent his life tending to the land, building his home with his own hands—using mud and a grass-thatched roof to create a simple but strong foundation for his family. His first-born daughter supports him and his wife, ensuring they have what they need. Aaron has a history of high blood pressure, which led to a stroke affecting his left leg. He moves with a limp and is unable to sit for a long time due to leg pain. Recently, Aaron has been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition that has caused him significant discomfort. He has been suffering from urinary retention, which has made it almost impossible for him to pass urine normally without the aid of a catheter tube. This condition has left Aaron feeling constantly uncomfortable, worrying about his future, and feeling as though he’s becoming a burden to his family. "I just want to be well, not to be a burden on my wife or my daughter. As I age, I only worry about what might happen next. I want to be able to live with peace, to enjoy the rest of my days with my wife and my family," Aaron shares. Physicians at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, recommended that Aaron undergo a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. This surgery is vital to his well-being, not just to alleviate the pain and discomfort, but to prevent more serious complications such as urinary retention, kidney damage, or even infections. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on November 26th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Aaron's quality of life. Aaron says, “After the surgery, I hope to live without the constant pain and worry. I want to be able to care for my wife, help around the house, and enjoy the simple things in life with peace of mind. I look forward to waking up each day without fear of what might happen next.”

Theara is a four-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her parents and older brother. Her parents are rice farmers. Theara is currently in kindergarten, where her favorite subject is art as she loves to draw with colored pencils. Her mother shared that Theara enjoys eating rice with fried or grilled fish and enjoys spending her free time playing games with her brother. When Theara was 14 months old, she accidentally crawled into a fire, resulting in burns to her left hand and fingers. She received treatment at a provincial hospital, but the burns caused contracture scars and restricted her finger movement, making it challenging for her to fully flex them. She has difficulty holding objects and cannot grasp things with her left hand. When Theara's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for four hours so Theara could seek treatment. On November 26th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her hand more easily and improve her overall hand function. Theara's family is able to contribute Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Theara's mother said: "I hope the operation will improve her fingers and remove the scars so she can use her hand."

Eunice is a small-scale farmer from Kenya. She is married and has seven children but has been raising and supporting her children on her own. For the past five years, Eunice has been experiencing swelling around her neck, vocal changes, difficulty breathing, joint pains, and heat intolerance. She visited our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a goiter and requires a thyroidectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Eunice receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 29th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $830, and she and her family need help raising money. Mary said, “I have had this goiter for long and it has been growing huge over time. Please help me so that I can be able to continue with my day-to-day activities since I am the breadwinner and my children depend on me.”

Kakvey is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia. He is the middle child in his family and lives with his father, grandparents, and two siblings in Kampong Spueu province. His father, a widower, sells groceries from a small stall outside of the house, while his siblings are in primary school. He is currently in third grade, and dreams of becoming a teacher or police officer when he grows up. He likes to eat rice with fried pork, and in his free time, he helps his father organize the grocery shop. When he was 11 years old, Kakvey suffered an electric burn that caused contractures in his left ring finger. Burn scar contractures have tightened his finger, leaving it permanently bent. It is difficult for him to grasp objects and play games at recess in school. His father hopes that Kakvey will regain mobility in his finger and be able to use his hand easily again. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On December 2nd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore mobility to his finger and reduce the tightening caused by the scar contracture. His family can contribute $50 but needs help to raise $495 more to fund Kakvey's procedure and care. Kakvey shared. "I hope I can straighten my finger and use it more easily so I can play with my friends and go back to school."

Kitupu is a calm two-year-old boy from a village in Kwale County, Kenya. He is the only child in his family and lives with his grandmother, who has taken full responsibility for his care. Kitupu's mother is unable to provide the care he needs due to mental health challenges. Shortly after birth, Kitupu was diagnosed with syndromic clubfoot, a condition that causes both feet to twist out of shape, making it difficult for him to walk or stand. At just one week old, he started a series of casting treatments to correct the alignment of his feet. However, his treatment was interrupted when his mother became ill. Determined to ensure Kitupu received the care he needed, his grandmother took him in and has worked tirelessly to provide for his care. To support their household, Kitupu's grandmother grows crops on her small farm. The harvest feeds the family and any surplus is sold for income. Presently, Kitupu is undergoing serial casting to prepare for surgery that will correct his feet. On December 6th, he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AIC Cure International Hospital, our medical partner’s care center. Following treatment, Kitupu will be able to stand upright, walk, run, and even play football. Most importantly, it will allow him to attend school and participate in daily activities like other children. Now, Kitupu's family needs help to fund this $1,286 procedure and post-treatment care. Kitupu’s grandmother shared, "I eagerly look forward to seeing my grandson walk properly and live a normal life like other children."

Heng is a 33-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has six siblings in total and lives with his mother, oldest sister, and two nephews in Phnom Penh. His mother is a housewife, while his oldest sister, who is divorced, works at a local retail shop to support the family. In his free time, Heng enjoys watching soccer and boxing on his phone. In January this year, Heng accidentally injured his right foot while playing soccer. He visited a clinic where surgical hardware was affixed to stabilize the injury and aid in the healing process. Although the initial surgery helped, Heng still experiences some discomfort from the hardware, and has not been able to resume work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 5th, Heng will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help him walk comfortably again, and allow him to go back to work. Heng is able to contribute $50 towards the cost of his treatment and needs help raising $254 more to fund the procedure. Heng says, "I look forward to having the surgery so that I can return to work to support myself."

Glorious is a 47-year-old small scale farmer and mother of four children, three boys and a girl, from Uganda. Her husband is also a small-scale farmer, and they live together in a three-room semi-permanent house for shelter. For the last couple of months, Glorious has been experiencing severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding, which has been causing her sleepless nights. She has been diagnosed with abdominal uterine bleeding secondary to irregular thickening of the uterine lining, and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Glorious is scheduled to undergo surgery on December 8th at Rushoroza Hospital, and our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $319 to fund the procedure. Once recovered, Glorious will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Glorious says, "I believe that I will have a successful surgery with a positive outcome. I hope to continue farming after my complete recovery so that I can support my family. May God bless you."

Sok is a 47-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is a widowed father of two daughters. His younger daughter is a student in 10th grade, while his older daughter works in a local clothing factory. In his free time, he enjoys watching the news on his phone. One month ago, during the Khmer Water Festival, Sok was in a collision and fell off his motorbike, fracturing his left clavicle. He underwent surgery at a hospital in Phnom Penh, where hardware was inserted to stabilize the fracture. Unfortunately, the hardware became infected, resulting in an open wound with infection, discharge, and fever, which has made it difficult for him to use his left arm properly. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 9th, Sok will undergo a hardware removal procedure that will help promote healing of his fracture and restore proper function to his left arm, allowing him to regain mobility and perform daily activities more comfortably. Sok can contribute $100 but needs help to raise $204 more to fund this procedure. Sok shared, "I wish for the wound to heal without infection and hope to regain movement in my arm after healing so I can work to support my daughters."

Arleen is a mother of two from the Philippines. She and her husband are both temporarily unemployed. They rely on her siblings and parents for support. Arleen has been experiencing pain and discomfort on the right side of her chest, especially when lifting heavy objects. Five months ago, she noticed a lump when the pain became unbearable. Arleen has been diagnosed with breast cancer and was immediately advised to undergo a mastectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of her breast tissue to prevent the cancer from spreading. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Arleen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on December 21st at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $990 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Arleen will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Arleen expressed, "This opportunity to receive free surgery is a huge help because we no longer have to worry about my illness worsening due to not being able to afford treatment earlier. I am deeply grateful to the foundation offering assistance because, without it, many people like me would suffer more and longer because we cannot afford treatment. Thank you very much."