Sopheap, a 67-year-old man from Cambodia, developed a cataract in each of his eyes one year ago. "I can't see well or travel very far on my own," the grandfather of five shares with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Due to his cataracts, Sopheap experiences blurred vision and general irritation around his eyes. While cataracts naturally worsen and can ultimately lead to functional blindness, this outcome can be avoided through a brief, widely practiced eye surgery. $225 will cover the cost of Sopheap's cataract operation as well as his three-day hospital stay. "After a phaco surgery and an IOL implant in each eye, Sopheap will be able to see clearly again," CSC tells us. Sopheap, who is married and has four children, is a seller at the market and enjoys watching the news on tv in his free time. "I want to continue my selling at the market after surgery," tells us. His wife adds, "I am happy that my husband will be able to see again and can walk places on his own and go outside easily."

“A hardworking farmer with five out of eight children living at home, Charles and his wife, Jenny, own their own land and grow cassava, ground nuts, and millet,” says our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation (KF). On Sundays, Charles and Jenny enjoy going to church and socializing with people from their village. Charles is a 59-year-old proud father from Uganda. “All of his children at home still attend school, which makes him very happy,” explains KF. However, for some time now Charles has suffered from a hernia and the pain has prevented him from working. A hernia is a bulge of tissue that protrudes out of a weak spot in the muscles of the abdominal wall; in Charles’s case, his hernia is located in the groin area. With $227, surgeons at the Bwindi Community Hospital will repair the hernia by pushing back the extending tissue and closing the opening with sutures. Charles will be able to return to work. “After surgery, Charles is looking forward to planning for 2016, which he has not been able to do because he hasn’t been able to work,” says KF.

"Three years ago, Myint started experiencing a tight pain in her abdomen and a need to pass urine very often," our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), shares about the 47-year-old woman from Burma. "She feels like she is carrying something in her abdomen and it is very heavy and hard." Last year, her condition worsened and Myint sought medical care in Thailand, where doctors diagnosed her with an ovarian cyst. Because of the high cost of the procedure, Myint was unable to receive the care she needs and has continued living with her painful condition. Myint lives with her older siblings and nephew, and "had a problem working because of her need to urinate very frequently," BBP shares. Her brother is a seasonal laborer and her sister sells snacks. Myint's condition has caused her to take multiple hospital trips, further draining her family's ability to afford her proper care that would ensure long-lasting improvements. "I am really worried about my condition since I can’t work and I do not have money to spend," Myint shares. After her most recent hospital visit, one of her brother's friends called to tell her about accessible care provided by BBP’s clinic. $1,500 covers the cost of blood work, her hospital stay, surgery to remove her cyst, and follow-up care to ensure that Myint recovers well. Proper care and treatment for her ovarian cyst will prevent future emergency hospital visits that repeatedly threaten her long term health. "After surgery, Myint should be able to go back to her house and see her family," BBP adds. "She will be able to start her new work by selling snacks with her older sister and make money."

“It is hard to see clearly or read letters,” shares Phalla. “I can’t go outside or work well.” Phalla is a 67-year-old father of four and grandfather of four from Cambodia. One year ago, Phalla developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, irritation, and discomfort with sunlight. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), recommends a SICS (small-incision cataract surgery) and IOL (intraocular lens) implant in his left eye. “This will allow Phalla to see clearly again,” CSC tells us. For $150, we can fund a SICS and IOL implant to restore Phalla's vision. Phalla enjoys watching social news on TV in his free time. After the procedure, Phalla says, “I hope my eye can see everything clearer than now, so I can do my work well and I can go outside to visit places like Angkor Wat at Siem Reap.”

Min is a 66-year-old father of five and grandfather of three living in Cambodia. Three years ago, his right eye developed a cataract, or clouded lens. Min’s resulting blurred vision makes it hard for him to keep up his work as a rice and crop farmer. Currently, “I can’t see anything well,” Min shares. With his compromised sight, even walking alone outside his house can be a challenge. Currently, cataracts are the cause of approximately half of the world’s cases of blindness. If his cataract goes untreated, Min tells us, “I worry about becoming blind.” $150 will cover the cost of a Phacoemulsification procedure and Intraocular lens implant for Min’s eye. This two-step process removes the clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial, fully functioning lens. This funding will also ensure Min can receive the post-operative medications he’ll need to keep his healing eye healthy. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, says that after these procedures, “Min will be able to see much better than before.” In addition to getting back to work, Min looks forward to returning to cherished pastimes he has had to give up due to his weakened vision. These include walking around his farm and watching the news, and even “driving my moto.” These activities will be significantly easier for Min after treatment. Min’s nephew says, "I hope my uncle can regain confidence and see and feel much better after his surgery."

Zar Zar is a shy 14-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, 17-year-old brother, and two younger brothers. Her mother says that Zar Zar is a good student and she studies hard. Zar Zar is in the 9th grade and is looking forward to completing her studies. Her parents and older brother work as rice farmers, but this is typically not enough income to cover their expenses. Zar Zar has been diagnosed with encephalocele, a neural tube defect that causes a mass to grow. “When she was born her parents noticed a small lump on the bridge of her nose,” Zar Zar’s doctor at Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us. “At that time the bump did not cause her any physical discomfort and she was otherwise a healthy, active baby. Her encephalocele now takes up the bridge of her nose and completely obstructs the vision in her left eye. Although it causes her considerable discomfort, she has learned to make do as well as she can. Only having vision in one eye has not stopped her from going to school, nor has the stigma attached to her condition.” “In the future, she said that she would like to be a teacher,” BBP adds. “At the moment, teaching is like a hobby for her, and she helps her younger siblings and her peers with their school work, she added that she enjoys explaining things and helping people learn. In addition, in her free time, she likes running and staying healthy.” Zar Zar’s family cannot afford the surgery needed to remove the growth from Zar Zar’s face, but with $1,500 we can make sure she receives the treatment. “After treatment she will concentrate on her education and hopes to help her family,” BBP explains. "Treatment will improve her confidence and make her more outgoing. Zar Zar’s treatment will also benefit the family as they will no longer have to worry about paying for expensive surgery and can look to the future with happiness."