Meet Samnang, a 16-year-old from Cambodia. His name means "lucky" in Khmer. Samnang lives at home with his family and has three younger sisters. He recently started a job in construction with his dad. In November, Samnang fell while working and fractured his femur. His parents brought him to a local hospital, where the doctors stabilized the fracture. However, the hardware that was put in place to stabilize his femur has become infected. For the last three days, Samnang has had a fever and experiences pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On January 5th, Samnang will undergo a hardware removal procedure to reduce his pain and help him walk again. CSC is requesting $304 to fund this surgery. Samnang's family gathered $100 to contribute to his care. Samnang shared: "I hope I can feel better after this surgery."

14-year-old Reaksa is a grade six student, living in Kandal province in Cambodia. He is the youngest of five siblings. Sadly, his mother passed away two years ago due to typhoid fever. He now lives with his oldest sister, a garment worker, and his father, who stays home and looks after the children. Three years ago, Reaksa developed a chalazion in his right eye, causing him pain, burning, itchiness, and irritation. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland, which can negatively impact an individual's ability to see clearly. As a result of his condition, Reaksa finds it difficult to concentrate when he is in school. Reaksa traveled for two hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On February 6th, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After Reaksa has recovered, he should find his full vision restored. He needs your help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Reaksa shared: "I hope my eyelid feels comfortable and the swelling goes away after surgery. I can go to school without feeling shy with my friends and not worry about my eyelid cyst getting bigger."

Rechael is a 38-year-old widow and mother of three children, who works in a small grocery store. Her husband died in a traffic accident in 2018, and her life changed dramatically as a result. Her husband's family sent her away with the children, and since her mother had also died earlier, she shared with us that she had nowhere to go. Her aunt agreed to have Rachael and her children come live with her. Rechael was accompanied by her aunt and uncle when she came to Nazareth Hospital this week. She was very anxious, and when she started narrating her story she began to cry. She had become depressed, had experienced periodic upper abdominal pains, and occasional vomiting. She has been admitted at hospitals three times, and a scan showed that she had gallstones. Doctors advised that she have surgery to heal her condition. Unfortunately, she is unable to pay the $788 needed for this surgery. If not treated, Rechael will continue to experience these symptoms, and could develop complications such as pancreatitis, or obstruction of the gallbladder among others. “I am desperate and don’t know what to do. I can only depend on my family, and they are not in a position to help. I pray for help so that at least my life can be normal again for the sake of my children,” said Rechael.

Son is a 76-year-old grandmother. She is a retired rice farmer with one son, one daughter, and six grandchildren. Her husband passed away a long time ago, and now Son lives with her daughter who is a garment worker in a local factory. At home, she does housework and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Son developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Son learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Son said: "I hope after surgery I will see well and can join again for ceremonies at my village's pagoda."

Non is a loving 62-year-old grandmother who works as a rice farmer. She has two sons, three daughters, and 13 grandchildren. Since her husband passed away many years ago, Non has lived with her eldest son who also works as a rice farmer. Non likes to play with her grandchildren, and to listen to monks praying on the radio. Three years ago, Non developed a cataract in her right eye, which has caused tearing, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is also worried about falling when walking, so is unable to go places on her own. When Non learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant a lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Non says, "I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can return to planting rice and recognizing people again."

Kembabazi is a 44-year-old small business owner who travels around their village selling fresh foods to earn a living and support her family. She is a mother of four and shared that her husband unfortunately passed away in 2012, and he left her a three-room mud house for shelter. Kembabazi's oldest child, who is 20 years old, completed secondary school class three but had to end schooling due to a lack of funds to pay for school fees. Her youngest child is currently 12 years old and is in the fifth grade. In 2021, Kembabazi developed a lump on her back. As time progresses, the swelling is increasing in size and causing her to experience pain. Fortunately, Kembabazi traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 5th, surgeons will remove the mass, alleviating her pain. Now, Kembabazi needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Kembabazi says, “I am worried about the lump swelling and sought medical treatment so that I may live a normal life once again. After surgery, I will continue with my business so that I may be able to take good care of my family.”

Pamella is a 26-year-old farmer who lives with her husband and child in rural Uganda. When she was young, Pamella dropped out of school because she was unable to cover the necessary fees, and began working in the city. After getting married, she returned to her village, where she enjoys growing crops such as maize, beans and potatoes, which they rely upon to feed their family. Pamella's husband operates a motorcycle business. For two years, Pamella has had a supraumbilical hernia. The hernia, which presents as a swelling on her abdominal wall and which can be painful, prevents Pamella from doing the strenuous work necessary for growing her crops. She came to the hospital in nearby Nyakibale, where surgery was recommended. She now needs help to cover the cost of her surgery, which is scheduled for May 10th at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Pamella's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Pamella says: “I can’t wait for the day I will wake up only to find that I am free from this pain.”