Meet Meng, a 61-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) reports, “Meng is married with four children and three grandchildren.” CSC explains, “Meng has cataracts in both of his eyes that severely blur his vision. He finds it really hard to see far away and can’t go outside and drive his moto to go places.” Cataracts are a condition that occurs when proteins develop on the lens of the patient’s eyes, making the lenses cloudy and impairing vision. If the cataracts are not treated, the cloudiness increases over time and eventually results in total blindness. Meng is already experiencing the effects of the cataracts worsening. CSC tells us, “He likes to spend his days watching and listening to the news now that his eyesight is too bad for him to do work.” To save his sight, Meng needs surgery. In a short procedure, doctors will surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial lens. Each eye is treated separately to ensure they are healing properly. Once Meng receives surgery on his left eye, he will be given 1-2 weeks to recover before he returns to the operating center to have surgery on the other eye. Being unable to work makes difficult for Meng to collect the money to pay for his procedure. However, with our support of $225, Meng will be able to receive the treatment he needs to have his sight restored. This money will cover the surgical costs, and hospital stay. Meng is excited to have the procedure and get back to enjoying his freedom. CSC shares, “He is most looking forward to driving his moto wherever he wants and picking his grandchildren up from school.”

This hard-working mother of two is Estela, a 32-year-old woman who lives with her family in Guatemala. Ten years ago, Estela was diagnosed with diabetes. She visited local clinic because her vision was failing, she was feeling weak, and losing weight. After the diagnosis, Estela received no care, except for a prescription she wasn't able to afford. Estela visited our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), and they shared that "after an examination, it became clear that Estela needs insulin to regulate her diabetes and protect her from worse side effects; including complete vision loss, kidney failure, risk of gangrene, heart complications and neuropathy." Without treatment she could become incapacitated and unable to care for her two teenage children, which could mean that they would need to drop out of school to care for their mother. For $450, Estela will receive the insulin regimen she needs to keep her diabetes under control. She tells WK, "I just want to be the best I can be for my children. I need to keep working so that they can have a better future. That is what i am dedicated to." With this treatment Estela will regain some of her vision, and no longer experience chronic fatigue or more negative long term side effects of this chronic condition.

Meet Melvin, a four-year-old boy from Kenya! According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), he lives alone with his father and hasn’t been able to attend school due to financial constraints. Melvin’s mother left the family a year ago, so his father is raising him alone. Unlike most baby boys, Melvin’s left testicle never descended into his scrotal sac after birth. If left untreated, it’s highly likely that he’ll develop testicular cancer and be infertile. For $540, we can cover orchidopexy surgery that will place his undescended testicle in the proper place, along with three days of hospital bedrest. After treatment, the risk of cancer and infertility will be greatly reduced. “Melvin's father is an orphan and does casual jobs while [enrolled as] a part time student at a local college. He studies through the help of a well-wisher who supports him by paying his fees,” explains AMHF. “It has been tough for Melvin’s father because he is forced to take his son to school with him at times [since] there is no one to look after him.” With immense sentiment, Melvin’s father says, “I am working hard to improve my life. I wish my son good health and quick recovery.” Let’s help this young family flourish again!