Soeung is a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and has three sons, five daughters, and ten grandchildren. About a year ago, she developed a cataract in each eye, resulting in blurred vision, pain, tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light. This has made it difficult for Soeung to do any type of work or go anywhere on her own. She is very worried that she will go blind. Soeung’s daughter had previously visited our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). She accompanied her mother on the two-hour trip to receive treatment. Soeung is now scheduled to have a cataract surgery in both eyes on January 19. CSC is requesting $292 for this procedure. After receiving an intraocular lens implant in each eye, Soeung will be able to see clearly again. She can resume her daily life and do all the things she loves.

Sem is a 55-year-old woman with four sons and two daughters. She likes to cook for her family and sew clothes. In September, Sem slipped and fell, causing a fracture-dislocation in her left ankle. She went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but her symptoms did not improve. It became difficult for Sem to walk and work. When Sem learned abut our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for six hours to seek treatment. On December 15, surgeons at CSC performed a joint arthrodesis procedure to heal Sem's ankle and allow her to walk pain-free again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund this procedure.

Phalla is a 23-year-old construction worker with two sisters and four brothers. In his free time, he likes to watch TV and go on Facebook. In June, Phalla was in a motorbike accident that left him with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. This means that the nerves in his back were damaged. He was unconscious and was treated at a hospital in Phnom Penh. The accident left him completely paralyzed in his left arm, hand, and fingers. Phalla could no longer work to support his family. When Phalla learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On December 15, surgeons at CSC performed a nerve and tendon repair surgery to allow Phalla to use his arm easily again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my left arm is better and has good function again," says Phalla.

Juan is a 12-month-old boy from Guatemala, but he is only the size of a healthy four-month-old. His parents cannot afford foods rich in calories, protein, and nutrients. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Juan began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Juan loves to play with toy cars or stuffed animals with his sister. His favorite foods are eggs and watermelon. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His father works as a day laborer on a bean plantation, and he has difficulty providing for the family. He cannot afford his son's $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Juan recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Juan a chance to grow healthy and strong.

Chean is an 81-year-old grandmother living in Cambodia with her four sons, three daughters, and over ten grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. Two years ago, Chean developed a cataract in each eye, causing blurred vision, tearing, and a burning sensation. She has been unable to walk safely or independently, which prevents her from leaving the house. She and her daughter visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Her doctors at CSC recommended she have a phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal lenses and restore her vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $225. Following her surgery, Chean will have restored vision and her discomfort will be resolved. She will also have her independence again, and will be able to visit the pagoda on her own.

Panha is a 25-year-old man with a love for music. He also “enjoys helping his wife at home and watching movies on TV,” shares our medical partner in Cambodia, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). In recent months, Panha has been dealing with lingering pain from a serious accident. While driving his motorcycle this past December, “Panha had a head-on collision with another moto,” CSC explains. “The accident caused an open left tibia fracture, a closed left femur fracture, and a finger and wrist fracture in his left hand.” Although his leg was put in a cast immediately after the crash, Panha’s wrist and finger injuries were not diagnosed at the time. As time went on, he noticed that he was having trouble using his left hand, and was experiencing pain in his wrist. He traveled two hours with his wife to another hospital, where he learned of his undiagnosed fractures. In order to regain basic function in his left hand, Panha needs to undergo a procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation surgery on his left hand and wrist. In this two-part operation, doctors will first move the fractured bone back to its proper place, then will insert a device to keep the bone in place. Panha cannot afford this surgery on his salary as an enlistee in the military. But we can help him out. $405 will cover the operation he needs, as well as physical therapy after his surgery. CSC will also check to make sure Panha’s leg is healing properly. Panha looks forward to regaining use of his hand. “I hope after surgery I can hold things with my hand and my arm won't feel so painful," he tells us.

“Gift is a quiet, 16-year-old girl from Tanzania,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Gift started having seizures when she was eight years old. One afternoon, Gift started a fire and was going to boil some sweet potatoes when suddenly she started convulsing. She fell down and her blouse caught fire. She was rushed to the hospital where she was admitted for a few months.” The burns on both of Gift’s arms caused the muscles to be deformed and she is unable to move them. If not treated, Gift’s arms will never be fully functional. Despite her condition, Gift tries to wash some dishes and wash her own clothes. Her mother has a small charcoal business and her father works as a carpenter, but their income is not large enough to pay for Gift’s surgery. Gift's condition causes her to be heavily reliant on help from other people and as a result, she will not be able to properly support herself in the future. $870 will cover contracture release surgery to remove the excess scar tissue from Gift’s elbows, restoring a fuller range of motion in both arms. It will also provide Gift with the medicine and hospital stay she needs to recover. “I hope my daughter will be able to use her hands so that she can become more independent,” says Gift’s mother.

Namayana's mother noticed that her six-month-old daughter's head was increasing in size and her eyes were changing after recovering from meningitis. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that Namayana's mother sought medical attention for her daughter, who was then diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is excessive buildup of fluid in the brain and causes the head to swell and enlarge. "Despite her condition, Namayana is very strong," AMHF shares. "She can lift her legs high up while laying in bed. She wants to sit and move around but the size of her head won't let her." If the condition persists, Namayana may face brain damage and issues with mental and physical development. "Namayana needs treatment to prevent further developmental problems," AMHF shares. "Namayana’s mother is a homemaker and her father is a livestock keeper," but they are unable to come up with the funds for their daughter's treatment. In order to treat Namayana's hydrocephalus, doctors will insert a shunt to drain the excess fluid from her head. $775 covers the cost of surgery, a five-day hospital stay, antibiotics, and follow-up care for Namayana. AMHF expects a positive outcome. "There will be no more progressive head enlargement for Namayana and there will also be a reduced physical developmental delay." “I will be happy to see my daughter getting stronger and growing up like her siblings,” says Namayana’s mother.

After developing a cataract in her left eye one year ago, 62-year-old Sas is facing the everyday effects of impaired vision. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), explains that the grandmother experiences blurred vision, burning, and tearing. Cataracts are common among older patients and occur when a semi-opaque layer develops over the eye lens. Over time, the condition persists and can lead to partial and eventually total blindness. “In her free time, Sas does house work and enjoys watching Khmer dramas on TV,” CSC states. However, the mother of three and grandmother of seven says, "I can't see everything clearly, do any work well, or go anywhere outside." Hopeful for treatment, Sas traveled three hours to reach CSC’s clinic. For $150, Sas can receive surgery to completely restore her vision. During this procedure, doctors will make a small incision in each eye to replace the old lens with a clear implant. In addition to regaining her vision within just a day of her surgery, Sas will also be able to enjoy greater independence. Restored sight will improve Sas’ overall quality of life. She shares that she hopes to be able to visit one her children in Malaysia, adding, “I hope my eye can see everything [clearer] than now so I can [easily] do any work and go anywhere outside by myself.”

Balihabuka is 16 years old, and lives in Uganda with his family. Balihabuka is a Senior Three student in secondary school. Balihabuka came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with swelling and pain in his groin. He was diagnosed with acquired hydrocele, which causes pain and difficulty walking. “When he was still in Primary School and before he fell sick, he was doing well in athletics especially running long races and he used to get many awards,” AMHF says. “He was also very interested in football. Because of the pain he no longer plays; he only watches his friends play. In the future he wants to become a medical doctor.” For $215, AMHF will treat Balihabuka’s condition with hydrocele repair surgery. “We expect that after the treatment, Balihabuka will no longer be in pain and the swelling will be gone,” his doctor says. “If I get an opportunity to get treatment, I hope to resume my athletics and work hard to become a doctor as well,” Balihabuka says.

“About two and a half years ago, Turyaingana noticed two swellings in his inguinal region as he was lifting sacks of dried food in a store,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). 53-year-old Turyaingana runs a business in his home country of Uganda, and also works as a farmer to generate income to support his wife and seven children. “Income from farming is not stable because it depends on the season and good timing,” AMHF says. “Sometimes he puts in a lot of energy but gets very poor yield.” Due to his pain and swelling, Turyaingana’s work schedule has become even more irregular. AMHF diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia, and he needs surgery to fix the condition. “Turyaingana decided to stop working in a store and started digging,” AMHF continues. “He is currently unable to carry heavy stuff or climb a hill where his gardens are. He has never gone to a hospital but has been using herbs. After being on herbs for a long time and not experiencing any positive change on the swelling Turyaingana went to the hospital, but he couldn’t afford to pay for treatment.” For $220, we can fund Turyaingana’s hernia repair. Not only will he be able to return to work, but “the risk of intestinal obstruction, incarceration or/and strangulation will also be eliminated,” AMHF says. “Thank you for being thoughtful of the poor,” Turyaingana told AMHF.

Kagezi is a 45-year-old laborer from Uganda who works for a brick-making and sand-mining business. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with a five-year history of pain and swelling in his inguinal and scrotal regions. Kagezi’s symptoms are the result of a bilateral inguinoscrotal hernia, a protrusion of the intestines through weak points in the abdominal muscles. The protrusions present as painful bulges in the left and right groin, and the pain increases with coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects. “If not treated,” explains AMHF, “Kagezi is at risk of intestinal obstruction, incarceration, and strangulation.” Because of the hernia, Kagezi does not make as many bricks as he used to, and he is unable to carry heavy items. His inability to work makes it difficult for him to support his family or raise money to pay for his medical care. “He tried contacting his siblings,” AMHF tells us, “but they also did not have money.” For $220, Kagezi can undergo hernia repair, in which a surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sews together the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue grows into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Funding also covers the cost of 14 days of hospital care, including labs and medications. After surgery, Kagezi looks forward to returning to work and being able to split firewood without discomfort. “Thank you for offering to give me help,” he shares. “God bless you.”