Poeun is a 58-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother who farms rice in Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to listen to the monks pray at the pagoda. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Three months ago, Poeun began experiencing blurred vision, pain, and irritation caused by glaucoma.” Glaucoma is the result of inadequate fluid drainage from the eye, causing pressure to build inside the eye. The increased pressure damages the eye’s main nerve — the optic nerve — and results in vision loss and eventual blindness. "It is hard for me to see anything clearly or do my work,” says Poeun. “There is pain in my eyes." The recommended treatment for Poeun is a trabeculectomy, a surgical procedure in which doctors remove tissue from the eye to create an opening to allow fluid drainage. “After a trabeculectomy procedure,” says CSC, “Poeun will have less pain and improved vision.” For $300, Poeun will undergo surgery and spend two days in the hospital while she recovers. Funding also covers the cost of post-operative follow-up care and medicine. "I hope [I can] see everything better than now and I won't feel pain anymore after treatment,” shares Poeun. “Then I can do my work on the farm and take care of my grandchild easily at home."

“Chhai Kry began losing vision six years ago,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). The 69-year-old Cambodian grandfather of three was recently diagnosed with having a cataract in each eye in addition to glaucoma. CSC explains that due to his condition, “Chhai Kry is partially blind and experiences pain, burning, and tearing. It is hard for him to see anything clearly, do work, go outside, and recognize people's faces.” In Cambodia, cataracts are the most common cause of partial blindness. The condition occurs as proteins develop over the eye lens and form a cloudy layer. Without treatment, the cloudiness increases over time--resulting in slowly deteriorating vision. $300 covers the cost of Chhai Kry’s treatment. For each of his cataracts, doctors will make a small incision to surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial implant. To treat his glaucoma, Chhai Kry will receive a trabeculectomy--a common procedure used to decrease pressure built up around the inner eye. In his free time, Chhai Kry enjoys watching Chinese dramas on TV and planting crops around his home. He shares: “I hope my eye can see everything more clearly so I can help my family work on the farm, do housework, clean the home, feed the cow and pig, and go anywhere outside.” His daughter adds, “I hope my father can see everything clearly again so I don’t have to worry about his eyes going blind anymore.”

Two years ago, Hoy, a 63-year-old woman from Cambodia, developed a pterygium -- a noncancerous growth on the surface of her right eye. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), explains that the growth "causes blurred vision, irritation, itchiness, tearing, and redness, all of which makes it difficult to see clearly." Hoy is married with two sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. "Hoy spends her time visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray and helping the monks clean the pagoda," her doctor says. Unfortunately, due to the pterygium, these activities have become increasingly difficult. "I worry that the cyst will continue to worsen my vision. It is hard to see clearly or go very far outside," she shares. However, for $150, Hoy’s pterygium will be surgically removed, and she will be able to see normally once again. "I hope surgery will make it easier for my eye to see things clearly," she says, "so I can help my children do work at home and so I can go anywhere outside."

Judilyn is a 33-year-old woman from the Philippines. She currently experiences uncomfortable symptoms due to uterine fibroids. “She used to always participate in church activities and support her husband with the ministry,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “Judilyn also used to tend land before her condition has worsened.” ICM has diagnosed Judilyn with fibroids, or noncancerous growths, in her uterus. “Judilyn has been experiencing abnormal menstruation, accompanied by a dizziness that keeps her inactive for days,” explains ICM. With $668, Judilyn will undergo a hysterectomy, during which a surgeon will remove her uterus and ovaries. The operation will prevent Judilyn’s heavy bleeding, and as a result she will no longer feel dizzy and tired. “Judilyn looks forward to once again becoming a functional partner to her husband in the ministry,” shares ICM. Judilyn is very grateful for Watsi’s help: “Thank you for considering my needs. I believe that God will reward your love and generosity.”