Meet Julio, a 55-year-old father of three from the Philippines. He's recently been diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, a condition where the thyroid gland swells abnormally. “Julio is having a visible anterior neck mass and experiencing difficulty in swallowing and lying on the right side,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “He cannot carry heavy objects because he observes [the goiter] getting bigger when he does and it causes him to have difficulty breathing.” “His work is hindered because of his condition and he can no longer provide for his family,” continues ICM. “His wife is a housewife and does not have an income, so they are having difficulty providing for their son’s education.” For $1,500, Julio will receive a thyroidectomy surgery to remove the neck mass. ICM expects that after treatment, he should be able to work with ease to provide for his family. “We are so happy and thankful for this opportunity," shares Julio's wife. "We have been praying for the provision and we consider this as an answered prayer."

49-year-old Sim is a mother of four and grandmother of two. She lives with her family in Cambodia. "Sim developed a cataract in each eye one year ago," Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), our medical partner, reports. Cataracts are very common across the world, and occur when the eye lens becomes cloudy. They can cause blindness over time if not treated, a reality for people like Sim who live far from the nearest hospital. Sim traveled with her husband for three hours to reach CSC. Due to her cataracts, Sim experiences blurred vision, irritation, tearing, and is unable to go outside on her own or work. Because of her big family and inability to work, she spends her time caring for the house. Fortunately, there is a common procedure to treat cataracts. $225 will cover the cost of surgery and clear lens implants for both of her eyes. After treatment, Sim will have clear vision once again.

Meet Seng, a 71-year-old woman from Cambodia who was diagnosed with a mature cataract in her left eye. In her free time, she likes watching the news along with Thai, Indian, and Khmer movies. “Seng has eight children and ten grandchildren. Because of her condition, her vision is blurry, and she can’t see faces clearly,” explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. It is also difficult for her to go outside alone. “I am looking forward to being independent again and seeing everyone clearly,” Seng tells us. For only $150, we can ensure that her wish becomes a reality. If left untreated, she is at risk for permanent blindness in that eye. Let’s give Seng her sight back!

This is Lilia, a 30-year-old mother from the Philippines. Lilia required a caesarian section to deliver her first child but, unfortunately, her scar did not heal properly, resulting in a large, painful abdominal hernia. Now pregnant again, Lilia's daily activities are hindered by her hernia, and she needs another caesarian section to ensure a safe delivery. Lilia belongs to an indigenous tribal group in the southern part of the Philippines. She and her husband work as farmers and earn about $10 a month. Due to Lilia's need for treatment, they say, "we have been knocking at doors looking for help and thank you for your compassion." Let's work together to help Lilia raise $1,060 for a hernia repair and caesarian section.

Sisay is a bright boy who should be starting the first grade, but is being held back by a congenital condition that makes it impossible for him to walk. Sisay was born with a serious case of club foot, a deformity that occurs when the tarsal bones in the feet fail to separate, and the ligaments in the feet are too short to allow for normal movement. As a result, Sisay’s feet are twisted inward in such a tight, stiff position that they cannot be placed flat on the ground for walking. Club foot is treatable with surgery, but Sisay’s parents are farmers for whom the $1000 price tag for the procedure is unimaginable. They want their son to go to school, make friends, and have a chance at a normal and productive life, but they are stopped in their tracks by the cost of the medical care required to make that happen for him. Sisay loves playing with his brothers, and doctors at CURE describe him as “a happy child” despite his condition. We hope to cover the cost of his care so he can live a healthy life.