“Fifteen-month-old Nahimia was born with a congenital anomaly, where his bladder is outside his body and leaks urine directly to his abdomen,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Nahimia’s bladder is exposed to dirt, which will cause infections and direct injury. He suffers pain from the irritation, infection and bad smell from the continued urinary leakage.” Nahimia lives in Ethiopia with his two siblings and parents. His father began working as a farmer when he was in grade seven, shortly after the death of both his parents. Due to a lack of funds, Nahimia’s parents have been unable to get their son medical treatment. $1,500 funds a bladder extrophy repair for Nahimia, which will surgically reconstruct his bladder, allowing him to pass urine normally. “The risk of infections and irritation will be eliminated and his urine will be contained,” says AMHF. “I wouldn’t have sought medical care if not for an NGO that has brought us this far,” shares Nahimia’s father. “This is because I have no money for transportation, let alone medical bills." Nahimia’s father has a strong desire to see all of his children attend school. Let’s help make it happen!

Seng Ky is an 80-year-old grandmother from Cambodia with one son and two grandchildren. She spends her time meditating and cleaning around the pagoda, shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Two years ago Seng Ky developed a cataract in each eye. This causes her to be partially blind and experience tearing, irritation, and she is afraid of the sunshine,” explains CSC. Seng Ky describes her condition: “It is hard for me to see clearly and recognize faces, do any work well, or go outside.” Cataracts occur as proteins develop in the lens of the eye, causing cloudiness. Without treatment, the cloudiness increases over time and results in slowly deteriorating vision. They can ultimately result in total blindness, and are especially common in regions near the equator due to high UV exposure. In Cambodia, 90% of blindness could be avoided through proper treatment. Surgical services are often hard to access and cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery such as cost, shortage of human resources, limited awareness, and poor infrastructure remain. $225 covers the cost of a treatment to repair Seng Ky’s cataracts. In each of her eyes, doctors will make a small incision to surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial lens. In her own words, “I hope my eyes can see everything clearly now so I can work at the pagoda and go walking anywhere by myself.” Her sister adds, “I hope my sister can see everything clearly now so she can easily do work and go outside by herself.”