Lay is an energetic 84-year-old. Since her beloved husband passed away 10 years ago, Lay has lived alone in Kampong Cham province, near her sister. For many years, she and her husband tended rice paddies in their province, but she is now retired and spends her days listening to monks chant on the radio or visiting with her sister. One year ago, Lay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. As she finds it difficult to take walks outside, she often stays alone in the house and feels very lonely. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. 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 Lay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On February 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said: "I hope after surgery, I can go outside again and grow vegetables in my garden to eat."

Stella is a 28 year old mother from Uganda. Following some secondary school education, she became a small-scale farmer, while her husband is a taxi driver. Together, they own a 3-bedroom brick house and have one child. Her firstborn child is 6 years old and in primary class one; sadly, her second child died at just one year old due to unknown causes. During her free time, Stella enjoys spending time with her family. Stella is currently expecting her third child. She has had full antenatal care at Rushoroza Hospital. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section because of her high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Stella undergo a C-Section on October 31. This procedure will cost $214, and Stella needs your support. Stella says, “I am praying for a successful surgery. And I will be able to keep farming again soon."

Seng Leng lives in Mondulkiri province and is the youngest of five children. He enjoys playing volleyball and spending time with his brothers. Seng Leng has Neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes skin abnormalities and tumors to grow on nerve tissue. Since he was a young child, Seng Leng has had a mass on his right cheek. In the past couple of years, it has grown in size. He is worried it will continue to grow and cause further discomfort when eating and talking. In November, a small team of maxillofacial surgeons will remove the mass from Seng Leng's cheek. Other surgical residents and medical students will accompany the surgeons to facilitate training of the next generation of surgeons. Removing the tumor will make Seng Leng feel more comfortable and less scared of further growth. Seng Leng shared, "I hope that the doctors can remove the tumor so I can go back home and go back to work without worrying all the time."

Emmanuel is a 32-year-old small-scale farmer. He has been married for four years and works alongside his wife as a farmer. He and his wife hope to one day raise children together. For the past year, Emmanual has experienced swelling and discomfort in a sensitive area that has impacted both his ability to work and his personal life. Due to his condition, Emmanual can't work on the farm and has a difficult time supporting his family. After seeking medical care, Emmanual was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On June 6th, Emmanual will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $230 to fund Emmanuel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Emmanuel says, “I am afraid that this condition might be the one affecting my fertility and I hope for the best results once am operated on with your support. I will also be able to get back to resuming farming.”

Orishaba is a 30-year-old farmer from Uganda. She has three children, two of whom are currently in school, and is currently expecting her fourth child. Her youngest was born in 2021 and is still at home. Orishaba works as a farmer and primarily grows crops for home consumption. She sells any excess to earn a living. Orishaba's husband is a boda boda driver, and they live together in a two-room rental house. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Due to the short period between her current pregnancy and her last pregnancy, Orishaba's Doctor's recommended she deliver via a caesarean section so that doctors can ensure the safety of both her and her child. However, Orishaba is currently unable to fund the procedure herself. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Orishaba. On June 8th, Orishaba will undergo a C-Section at AMH's care center. This procedure will cost $252, and Orishaba needs your support. Orishaba says, "I expect to deliver well once I am given your support because the hospital bill is all I was worried about most."

Agatha is a 21-year-old nursing student from Uganda and the youngest of ten children. Most of her siblings now have families of their own, and one sibling is also in school, like Agatha. Agatha's parents help with her school fees, but their income is limited, so it can be challenging to upkeep the costs. Three years ago, Agatha developed a small swelling on her foot that has progressively increased in size over time. She experiences discomfort when putting on her shoes and walking, and she worries about her long-term health if the mass remains untreated. Fortunately, Agatha was able to travel to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 14th, surgeons will remove the mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $145 to fund this procedure. Agatha said, "I feel uncomfortable when I put on shoes most of the time. I will proceed with my course of study after complete recovery."

Boaz is a farmer who is married with three school-aged kids. His wife joins him in the farm for subsistence farming, where most of his income goes towards meeting the family's daily needs. There is little surplus for funds needed for medical care. Boaz has been experiencing painful swelling on his upper back for the last six months. He is not able to work without pain, especially on strenuous activities which are his day-to-day duties. Boaz traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 24th, surgeons will remove the mass on his back to treat the painful swelling. Boaz needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Boaz says “I will be much better when my health is restored, and I resume to my usual activities, living a better life.”

Saphas is a 10-year-old student from Uganda. He is a tall, brilliant, and smart young boy who lives with his grandmother. Saphas is in primary school class 3. At home, he likes helping with chores like cooking and fetching firewood. His dream is to be a nurse in the future. Since last month, Saphas has experienced a swelling on his private parts. He feels pain when passing urine and his grandmother is worried about the swelling. At Nyakibale hospital, he was diagnosed with a right hydrocele and requires a hydrocelectomy (hydrocele repair surgery). Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo a hydrocelectomy at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $146 to fund Saphas's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Saphas' guardian says “He is the only one we have to take care of us at home, his poor health worries me but with your support, I will be happy to see him well again.”

Lat is a 78-year-old loving grandmother, who lives in Svay Rieng province. She has been a widow since her husband died twenty-six years ago. Sadly, although she bore ten children, five of her children passed away during the Khmer Rouge regime. She has still one son, four daughters, and twenty-three grandchildren to keep her busy! Currently, she lives with a daughter who is a worker at a garment factory. At home, Lat enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and joining ceremonies at the pagoda. About three months ago, Lat developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. It is difficult for her to cook or to do housework. When Lat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On December 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Lat said: "I hope I can see everything after surgery. I would like to help my daughter cook, do housework, and go outside more often again."

Oun is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and his wife works as a tailor. The couple has four sons who are all students at the local public school. When he is at home after a long day outside, Oun enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching boxing on television. One year ago, Oun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him sensitivity to light and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. He is also worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $253 to fund his procedure and care. Oun shared, "I hope after surgery I can see well again. It is important for me to support my family by growing rice on our land and selling it at our local market."

Mpirirwe is a 41-year-old mother of four children, who are all studying in different classes in primary school. She is a soft-spoken and determined lady, who walked six kms. to seek support. Mpirirwe had hoped to be an accountant, but instead earns a living from small-scale farming, along with her husband. They normally grow food for their own needs, because they have limited land to do large-scale farming. They live in a small, semi-permanent house along with her late brother-in-law's two orphaned children. During her free time, Mpirirwe enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting a child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section so doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mpirirwe undergo a C-Section on November 1st. This procedure will cost $252, and Mpirirwe needs your support. Mpririrwe says, “I have always had a hard time with my deliveries and being able to cover the hospital bill. I decided to come to try out my luck to see if I could be supported because, by myself, I won’t be able to raise the money needed for my surgery.”

Som Oeun is a 64-year-old rice farmer, who has one daughter, four sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her disabled husband and her youngest daughter who is a construction worker. At home, she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and playing with her grandchildren. One year ago, Som Oeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 Som Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 17th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery which will break up the cataract with ultrasound, irrigate the eye, and remove the cataract through suction. Then they will implant a new lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Som Oeun said, "I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can help my daughter do housework and I can look after myself and my husband."