Oeung is a 21-year-old farmer with two sisters and two brothers. He likes to watch boxing on TV and read magazines. Oeung was in an accident in March 2016 causing a tibia fracture in his left side. He went to a Khmer traditional healer, but his symptoms did not improve. He also took painkillers, but it did not help to heal his fracture. Oeung felt unstable when walking and was in pain. He has been unable to work since the accident. Oeung heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, from his uncle who had ear surgery at the center before. Oeung traveled for four hours with his father to reach CSC for treatment. Surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre will perform an opening wedge osteotomy on his left tibia to allow Oeung to walk comfortably again. Oeung says, "After the operation, I hope that I can walk normally and without pain."

Thuok is a 27-year-old tuk tuk driver from Cambodia. In 2008, Thuok noticed a foul smelling discharge coming out of both of his ears that caused him pain. He has experienced hearing loss, pain, and recurrent discharge since then. Thuok is married with one daughter. After work he enjoys listening to the radio and playing football with his neighbors. One of Thuok’s friends, also a tuk tuk driver, told him about our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) and urged him to get medical care at CSC's clinic. Thuok was diagnosed with bilateral cholesteatoma - small growths in Thuok’s middle ear that are causing his discharge and pain. $809 will fund surgery to remove the growths in Thuok’s ears to stop the discharge and pain, and permanently treat his condition. “I hope that my husband will stop having ear discharge and have no more pain after his operation,” says Thuok’s wife, who accompanied him to the clinic. “I am very worried about his disease and I am happy that he can get surgery done at CSC."

Helena is an 18-year-old girl from Tanzania who lives with her mother and four siblings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares: “Helena’s parents are livestock keepers and have many extended family members depending on their support.” When Helena was a baby, she unintentionally stuck her left hand into an open fireplace and burned it severely. She was was treated afterwards with traditional medicines and although the wound healed, the burn resulted in a contracture: a hardening of muscles that can lead to deformed joints. The contracture has left Helena unable to use her hand. But because of her family's limited income, “coming up with enough cash to cover the cost of operation has been difficult,” explains AMHF. $550 will fund a single contracture release for Helena, during which the scarred tissue will be removed from her fingers and hands, and her tendons will be loosened. Because her injury occurred at such a young age, Helena was never sent to school. However, after the operation, functionality will return to Helena’s hand and an education will become possible for her. "I wish I could also go to school like my friends," says Helena.

Kyarisima is a 47-year-old woman living in Uganda with her husband and their five children. She and her husband both work as peasant farmers. “In July 2013, Kyarisima got severe abdominal pain radiating across her back,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “As the pain increased, Kyarisima started bleeding irregularly and decided to go to a health center. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus, but could not afford to have the recommended surgery.” “Kyarisima had lost hope of every getting well until she heard about a gynecologist at Nyakibale Hospital, a non-profit community hospital, who could help her,” AMHF continues. $165 will fund Kyarisima’s total abdominal hysterectomy, which will relieve her from the pain and bleeding. She will be able to farm and take care of her family. “I hope to be well again and live happily with my husband,” Kyarisima says.

For 15 years, Tusiimomwe has lived with a painful hernia. She is a wife and mother of two who lives in Uganda, and recently came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment. “Tusiimomwe developed a swelling on her lower abdomen that had on and off pain,” AMHF tells us. “When Tusiimomwe would work, she would feel something swelling on her abdomen, and it would later disappear. She did not get medical treatment because she could not afford it.” A hernia is a protrusion of the intestines through a weak point in the abdominal muscles. The protrusion presents as a painful bulge in the abdomen, and the pain increases with bending at the waist or lifting heavy objects. “If not treated,” explains AMHF, “Tusiimomwe may have intestinal obstruction.” “Currently the pain is so much that sometimes Tusiimomwe cannot even sleep. She is also unable to dig in the family’s farm." Doctors have told Tusiimomwe that she needs surgery—a herniorrhaphy—to repair the hernia. During the procedure, a surgeon pushes the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sews together the weakened muscle with a synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue grows into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. For $120, Tusiimomwe will undergo surgery and receive two days of hospital care. “The surgery shall alleviate the pain,” says AMHF. “Tusiimomwe will recover fully, and she will be able to return to work.” “I will be very happy when this pain is gone,” shares Tusiimomwe.

Meet Manuela, a 9-month-old baby girl from Guatemala. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Manuela is a generally happy and calm child. She is curious too and always trying to explore the world around her.” Manuela is acutely malnourished. WK explains, “Manuela is far below the average weight for her age and the average height for her age. She is constantly sick with a cough and/or diarrhea and although she is a generally curious child, recently she has not had much energy.” Nutrition is essential for healthy childhood growth. WK states, “If intervention does not occur Manuela will be at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition. Her immune system will continue to weaken and her physical and mental development will be compromised.” Due to food insecurity, indigenous Guatemalan communities, like Manuela’s, have exceptionally high rates of malnutrition. Often times, the condition is linked with limited education. For $535, Manuela will undergo a two-part treatment for her acute malnutrition. Over a 90-day period, she will receive nutrient-rich food supplements, gradually introducing essential nutrients to her diet. In addition, Manuela’s mother will be enrolled in an intensive nutrition education, providing her with the necessary skills and information to prevent malnutrition in the future. Combined, this treatment will give Manuela a long-term health solution. “Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Manuela the chance to live a healthy productive life,” shares WK. Manuela’s mother adds, “My wish for my girl is that she will be able to complete the sixth grade. That would be amazing for me.”

Hout is a 64-year-old man living in Cambodia with his wife, one son, three daughters, and eight grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys reading the Bible. Hout has cataracts in both his eyes, which causes blurred vision, discharge, and tearing. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us Hout and his sister traveled two hours to reach CSC for care. "It is hard to do my work well or recognize people's faces. I can't go outside anywhere on my own," explains Hout. For $225, Hout’s cataract can be surgically corrected, giving him the chance to see clearly again. Hout says, "I hope my eyes can see everything clearer after treatment. [I'd like] to help my daughter do work at home. I hope I can clearly read letters too."

Sang is 66 years old and lives with her husband in Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us that "one year ago Sang developed a cataract in each eye." As a result she has blurred vision, tearing, and is unable to be in the sunlight. Sang says, "It is hard to see everything clearly and take care of my work and business. I can't go outside anywhere that far because of my vision." Sang used to sell vegetables at the local market for work, visit the local pagoda, and listen to news radio in her free time. However, can no longer do everything she enjoys because of her impaired vision. Sang traveled three hours to CSC for treatment but cannot afford the surgery she needs. Her daughter says, "I hope my mother can see everything clearly again like when she was young. She will be able to do any work easily once her vision is improved. I won't have to worry about her becoming blind anymore." For $225 Sang will receive a surgery in which her cataracts will be removed and replaced with clear, artificial lenses. CSC shares that after treatment, “Sang will be able to see everything clearly again.
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Meet Soeung, a 68-year-old woman from Cambodia. "Soeung is married with two sons, two daughters, and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda and listening to the monks praying," says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Two years ago Soeung developed a cataract in each eye. This causes her blurred vision, tearing, and irritation," shares CSC. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy from age or trauma. If left untreated Soeung’s cataract could lead to decreased vision and even blindness. Soeung tells CSC, "My vision is cloudy. I can't walk very well or recognize the faces of people clearly. My work is hard to do." $225 will fund surgery to remove both of Soeung’s cataracts. CSC reports after the procedure, "Soeung will be able to see clearly again." Cataract surgery has high impact for improving visual acuity and improving quality of life. Soeung shares, "I hope my eyes will be able to see everything clearly again and I can help my family do some house work and work on the farm. I want to take care of my grandchild at home too."

Meet Oeun, a 63-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Oeun is married with two sons, five daughters, and ten grandchildren. She spends her free time planting bananas around her home and caring for her yard.” Two years ago, Oeun developed mature cataracts in both eyes. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. This condition can cause extreme discomfort, vision loss, or even functional blindness. According to CSC, because of her cataracts, Oeun’s eyes burn, tear up, and are irritated by bright lights. “It is hard to see anything clearly, and I cannot go outside on my own,” shares Oeun, “I can't even recognize the faces of my relatives." After learning about CSC from a neighbor, Oeun and her niece traveled five hours to visit their clinic; they learned that, after a simple and highly-effective surgical procedure, Oeun may regain her sight. With $225, Oeun will undergo cataract surgery, during which her old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants--allowing Oeun to regain sight immediately after her operation. Oeun’s niece shares, "I hope my aunt will be able to see everything clearer so she can easily do her work and go anywhere by herself."

Sok Ly is a 68-year-old wife and grandmother who lives in Cambodia. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the praying monks, and watching Khmer dramas and social news channels on television. "Two months ago Sok Ly developed a cataract in each eye," explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). "This causes her blurred vision, pain, and tearing." A cataract is a thickened, cloudy lens. Over time, the altered lens loses its ability to focus light properly, resulting in blurry or dull vision and difficulty seeing far away objects. Cataracts account for 50 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide, and formation typically occurs in both eyes, as Sok Ly is experiencing. "It is hard to see everything and everyone's faces clearly, and do my work and walk outside" says Sok Ly. $225 will cover the cost of surgery to remove the cloudy lenses from both of Sok Ly’s eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. Funding for Sok Ly’s treatment also includes post-operative follow-up care. After surgery, "Sok Ly will be able to see everything much better," CSC tells us. Sok Ly shares: "I hope my eyes can see everything clearly again so I'm not worried about my eye losing any more vision. After treatment I hope I can sell groceries at the market to earn money to support my family. I hope I will be able to easily go anywhere outside by myself." Her husband adds, "I hope I don't have to worry about her eyes having problems in the future."

Meet Sokkoeun, a 56-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Sokkoeun is married with one son and three daughters,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “She sells sweet fruits to support her family, and enjoys watching the news on TV.” Sokkoeun recently fell down from a tree and dislocated her left elbow. "I can't bend my elbow or carry anything without feeling pain and numbness in my left arm,” shares Sokkoeun. “Sokkoeun travelled three hours with her son to reach CSC for treatment,” says CSC. “She received Khmer traditional medicine treatment for two months but her arm did not improve.” With $405 in funding, Sokkoeun will undergo open reduction and internal fixation surgery to realign her bone correctly and allow her elbow to heal. After the procedure, CSC expects her arm will regain mobility. "After treatment, I will go back to work to support my family,” shares Sokkoeun. “I hope my hand will function well and I can do anything for myself."