Meet Khun, an 83-year-old man from Cambodia. Khun is married and has two sons, two daughters, and twenty grandchildren. He enjoys listening to monks pray at the pagoda. One year ago, Khun developed mature cataracts in each eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. This causes him blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for him to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside. "I hope I can see more clearly,” shares Khun, “so that I can look after my grandchildren easily and do some work." After learning about CSC, Khun and his daughter traveled two hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Khun's sight. On January 13, Khun will undergo cataract surgery, during which his old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants, allowing him to see again immediately after his operation. CSC is requesting $292 in funding.

Keo Mony is a 37-year-old soldier who is married and has one son and four daughters. He likes to watch TV, read magazines, and go fishing. Keo Mony has been diagnosed with bilateral hip avascular necrosis, which causes his bone tissue to break down. This leads to pain in both hips. For the past three months, it has been difficult for Keo Mony to work and support his family. When Keo Mony learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours to seek treatment. On December 29, surgeons at CSC performed a total hip replacement on Keo Mony's right side. After recovery, he should walk easily again. CSC is requesting $781 to fund this procedure.

Romy is a 15-year-old boy from the Philippines. He is a curious boy who loves to explore. He was born with a cleft lip and palate. His condition has always caused him difficulty eating, speaking, and communicating with others. Despite these obstacles, Romy is very industrious. He helps his father with household chores and was described as a "peacemaker" in the family. Romy's mother passed away when he was young, so he and his two siblings live with their relatives. His father works as a recycled junk collector, and he has difficulty supporting his children. His father always hoped for Romy to receive treatment, but he could not afford healthcare. When the family learned about our medical partner, International Care Ministries, they were very happy. Romy underwent a repair surgery on December 1. Now, the family needs help to pay his $1,464 medical bill. After recovery, Romy will no longer experience difficulty eating and speaking. His confidence will grow and his quality of life will improve. "We are very thankful that after many years, he will finally undergo surgical correction," says Romy's father. "He will grow to have confidence, and he can live a life like a normal teenager. Romy is a fine boy––he is willing to make sacrifices for his siblings, and he is a great help in the household chores." He continues, "I am thankful that you chose him to be sponsored for surgery....We are so blessed that you have come in our community."

Thol is a 57-year-old crop farmer who is married with one son, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. She likes to watch the comedy program on TV and go to the pagoda to join ceremonies and listen to monks pray. Thol developed a cataract in each eye about one year ago, causing her blurred vision, cloudy lenses, and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). It is difficult for her to see things, do any work, and go anywhere outside. Thol heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor in her village. She traveled for three hours with her grandchild to reach CSC for treatment. On October 19, 2016, CSC doctors performed a phacoemulsification surgery to remove the cataract and inserted an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, Thol should be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to pay for this $292 procedure. Thol's grandchild shares, "I hope my grandmother can see everything clearly again so that I don't have to worry about her vision loss anymore."

Magezi is a 48-year-old married man from Uganda. He has four children, who are quadruplets; two boys and two girls. He feels blessed to have quadruplets but also he feels sad because he is unable to take good care of them with the little money he earns. For six years, Magezi had lived with a hernia in his right inguinal (groin) area. A hernia occurs when part of the intestine protrudes through the inner groin area. About three years ago he had a hernia repair. However, two years after surgery he developed another hernia in the same area. He feels a lot of pain, especially when he coughs and or with any straining. If not treated, the hernia could become stuck, leading to damage to the intestine or even the stomach. $249 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Magezi needs. After surgery he hopes to continue farming so that he can continue supporting his family.

Meet Melany, a 20-month-old baby from Guatemala. Melany is the youngest of three children in her family and lives with her parents in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. She enjoys playing with her dolls and her stuffed animals. Her mother works at home, cooks, cleans, and takes care of the children. Her father is a day laborer in the fields, who makes only a couple dollars per day. Due to malnutrition, Melany is below the average height and the average weight for her age. She currently is not consuming enough calories and enough quality foods. As a result her physical growth is stunted, and we worry her mental growth will be stunted as well. As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. $512 will fund the treatment Melany needs to address her nutritional deficit and improve her low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Melany of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for her parents. With these combined efforts, Melany will recoup her weight and height and strengthen her immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.