Voeun is a 70-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four sons, two daughters, twenty grandchildren, and in her free time she enjoys listening to the news on the radio. Two years ago, Voeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her vision loss. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Voeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. "I hope that I am able to see better so I can help take care of my grandchildren, assist with the housework, and help my children plant rice and other crops at the farm," Voeun shared.

Gracious is a baby boy from Tanzania. Gracious is a calm baby boy and the only child to his young parents. He has bilateral clubfoot which if not treated will result in permanent disability. After he was born, his parents were advised to take him to the hospital at three months of age. Upon review, surgeons advised for manipulation and casting surgery to correct the condition. Gracious's parents are casual labourers. His mother sells fruits and vegetables in the neighbourhood while his father is a casual construction site labourer. Their income is only sufficient to meet their daily needs. Gracious's relative referred them to our facility where the child was reviewed. His parents were asked for the hospital fee but are not able to raise it. If treated, Gracious will be able to walk upright and with ease. The family appeals for help. Fortunately, Gracious traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Gracious's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Gracious’s mother says, “The cost of the treatment is high for us to afford, kindly help our son if it’s possible.”

Try is a 68-year-old food seller from Cambodia. He has four children, eight grandchildren, and enjoys watching the news on television in his spare time. Two years ago, Try developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him vision loss. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Try learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. He says, "I hope that I will be able to see everything clearly and can go anywhere outside by myself more easily than before."

Violet is a mother of six from Malawi. She lives with her husband and spends her free time farming, attending church, and chatting with friends. For three years, Violet has had a right inguinal hernia. She went to several different hospitals near her home town, none of which could help her. She has been waiting for three years to resolve this condition so she can return to caring for her family. Fortunately, on January 31, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Violet's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. She is looking forward to returning to farming and would like to also start her own business when she is feeling better. She says, "I am excited because better health will help me return to my village and work harder!"

Basalirwa is a 35-year-old mother from Uganda. She is married and has two children. She is a social worker. Basalirwa's two children were delivered via C-section. Now, she is pregnant with another child and has been advised to undergo another C-section. Hopefully, this will ensure a safe delivery for Basalirwa and her child. Now, Basalirwa's procedure is scheduled for November 27. She needs help raising $280.

Sreyfash is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and ten grandchildren. She likes to spend time with her family. A year ago, Sreyfash developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her blurred vision, photophobia, and itching. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sreyfash learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six hours seeking treatment. Sreyfash needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for December 3. She says, "I look forward to reading and spending time with my grandchildren."

Zar Ni is a baby girl from Burma. She lives with her family in Myawaddy, Karen State. After birth, Zar Ni developed jaundice. Two days after they arrived home, her mother noticed that she was experiencing troubling symptoms. A doctor examined Zar Ni and sent her for an ultrasound. She was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain. Doctors want Zar Ni to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Zar Ni's CT scan and care, scheduled for October 9. “I worry about my daughter. I want my daughter to get well soon. I want my daughter to be as healthy as her siblings and I want to send her to school to become an educated person one day,” says Zar Ni’s mother.

Ranny is a woman from Cambodia. She has been married for eight years. She likes to cook, watch TV, and spend time at home. For the past three years, Ranny has had back pain. One of the nerves on her spine is being compressed due to herniation of one of the discs. This causes immense pain. She is unable to walk and move, and thus is unable to work and support her family. Ranny needs to undergo a laminectomy and discectomy procedure to relieve the pressure and pain in her back. Surgery is scheduled for December 4 and will cost $930.