Phal is a 66-year-old farmer who is married and has one daughter. Phal and her family are rice farmers. She shared with us that she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Phal developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, photophobia, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phal learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On January 4th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Phal said, "After surgery I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself, join ceremonies at the distant pagodas, and help my husband plant rice and vegetables."

Leang is a 66-year-old mother of five sons. She shared with us that her husband passed away two years ago. Leang enjoys taking care of her grandchildren, visiting the local pagoda, and going to the market. She also has diabetes. Around three weeks ago, Leang developed a skin infection on her left foot that never healed. She arrived at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) with pus, discharge, pain, and swelling on her leg, and a fever. On September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and infected tissue from her wound. Now, Leang needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Leang said, "I hope my left leg will heal so I can walk easily again."

Ny is eleven years old and has two older brothers. He enjoys getting together with his friends to play soccer, playing games with his siblings, and watching television. He enjoys studying Khmer literature and English, and hopes to grow up and become a teacher. For the past year, Ny has suffered from nasal obstruction and difficulty sleeping and swallowing. He traveled four hours to our Medical Partner Children's Surgical Centre to receive treatment. Surgery will relieve Ny of his symptoms, allowing him to breathe and sleep better at night, and eat without difficulty again. "I hope that my son's operation will go well and I won't have to worry about him suffering anymore. He will be able to breathe normally again and will feel better." -Ny's Mother

Yon is a 67-year-old marketplace seller from Cambodia. She is the oldest of eight siblings, and spends a lot of time with her siblings. She likes to attend ceremonies at pagodas with her sister and listen to news on the radio. Five years ago, Yon developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yon said, "I hope my eye surgery is successful and I can see everything clearly. I want to recognize my family and and go outside by myself. I don't want to disturb anyone to help me anymore."

Choeun is a 52-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is single and lives with and takes care her mother, who is 85. She spends a lot of time planting rice in the area around their home, but when she has free time, she gets together with her many friends. Two years ago, Choeun developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and severe itchiness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Choeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for June 8th. Choeun said, "I hope that my surgery will be successful and that I will see much better, so I can take care of my mom, do my farm work and plant some vegetables around my house."

Nuwamanya is a 33-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is a married father with two children in school and the youngest is still a baby who breastfeeds. Both of his parents are small scale farmers as is Nuwamanya and his wife. They mostly grow cassava, potatoes, and beans, making a limited income. Since two years ago, Nuwamanya has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Hydrocele causes him weakness and pain and prevents him from working. Fortunately, on March 5th, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $139 to fund Nuwamanya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Nuwamanya says, “I hope my surgery will go on well so that I can continue with cultivation.”

Heab is an 18-year-old chef from Cambodia. She has two sisters and one brother and likes to help with the housework in her free time. Five years ago, Heab had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Heab experiences hearing loss, headaches, itchiness, discharge, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate effectively and hear others clearly. Heab traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Heab said, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to hear clearly and the infection will stop."