Three months ago, Phon developed cataracts in both of his eyes. Now the 67-year-old man from Cambodia has trouble seeing clearly, doing work, and walking outside alone. “Phon’s cataracts cause him blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and he is afraid of sunshine,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Phon is married with two sons, four daughters, and five grandchildren. He enjoys watching the news on TV and traveling to the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. Phon’s family worries about his vision loss and the impact it has on his quality of life. Phon and his son traveled three hours to CSC. For $225 Phon will receive a surgery where CSC doctors will remove the cloudy lenses in both of his eyes and replace them with synthetic implants. Phon will be able to see clearly again the same day of his surgery. “I hope to see again so I can do work like clean my home, cut the grass, and watch my grandchildren,” says Phon. “When I can see again I will be able to do things by myself.”

About three years ago, Tusiime went to the hospital to address “a long-standing history of umbilical swelling that has been increasing in size associated with abdominal pain," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tells us. She was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia—a condition in which part of the intestine protrudes through the umbilical opening in the abdominal wall. Doctors advised Tusiime to have surgery, and recommended the same after she delivered her first child. However, she could not afford the treatment. “If not treated, Tusiime is at risk of suffering intestinal blockage, incarceration and/or strangulation,” says AMHF. In addition, her pain renders her “unable to lift a hoe to dig and she cannot carry heavy stuff,” AMHF says. Two of her children have dropped out of school due to lack of funds for school fees, and Tusiime’s inability to farm worsens the situation. $220 will cover the cost of surgery to return the herniated tissue to the abdominal cavity and stitch the opening in the abdominal wall closed. The surgery will eliminate Tusiime’s blockage and strangulation risks and enable her to return to farming so she can provide for her family. Tusiime says, “I want to have surgery so that I get relieved of the pain and have a flat belly without swelling. Thank you for thinking about the poor.”