Kim Sorn is a 23-year-old barber. He has three brothers and three sisters, all older. Kim Sorn lives with his parents who are farmers. In his free time Kim Sorn likes to play volleyball. Two months ago, Kim Sorn developed a chalazion in both eyes, causing him itchiness and irritation. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. It is difficult for him to see clearly and work. Kim Sorn traveled for two hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On March 11th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Kim Sorn's symptoms should improve. He needs help raising $187 to fund this procedure. Kim Sorn says, "I really hope my eyes improve so I can do my job well again!"

Tem is a 73-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Tem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her irritation, pain, and vision loss. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Tem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 27th, doctors will perform a small incision 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. "I hope that I will be able to go out on my own again and help to take care of my grandchildren," Tem said.

Pharet is a 2-year-old boy from Cambodia. He has two sisters and one brother. He enjoys watching cartoons on TV and playing with his toy cars. Three weeks ago, Pharet developed an injury in his right eye, causing him vision loss. When playing he hit his eye with a pen on accident causing a traumatic cataract. He cannot see well out of his right eye. On April 28th, doctors will perform a lensectomy and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I really worry about my son's eye problem. I hope that the doctor will perform the surgery well so my son will see everything clearly again," his mother said.

Akatwijuka is a young student from Uganda. He is the top of his class and likes to study. Akatwijuka has one sibling. His mother is a small-scale farmer. For one years, Akatwijuka has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. He often cries due to pain and discomfort caused by the hydrocele. If not treated, this may affect this performance in school. Fortunately, on May 11, 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 Akatwijuka's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Akatwijuka’s mother says, “I hope my son will get better quality of life after surgery and I continue with cultivation to earn a living."

Luis is young boy from Guatemala. Luis has a genetic syndrome called cri-du-chat, which causes cognitive and motor delays, among other symptoms. Luis is beloved by his entire family—he loves to play and sing with his older brother, and his mother works incessantly to care for Luis provide the best for him so that he can live happily. Luis needs to undergo surgery to treat cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism—or undescended testicles—is a condition commonly found in young boys who were born prematurely, as Luis was. In order to treat this condition, he will undergo a simple surgery that relocates the undescended testicle into its proper position. If left untreated, Luis could be at risk for a variety of reproductive illnesses in the future, including inguinal hernia, infertility, and testicular cancer. On October 5, Luis will undergo a procedure called an orchidopexy, which is surgery to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum and permanently fix it there. $1,500 will pay for his laboratory testing, medication, travel, and accompaniment. This treatment will lessen Luis's chances of developing complications later in life. Luis's mother says, "Thank you so much for this support. I will fight with everything I have for my son to have a better life."

Paw is a 30-year-old day laborer who lives in Burma and works to provide for his mother, wife, and two sons. About five years ago, Paw began to experience stomachaches, a constant headache on one side of his head, pain on his side, burning pain when passing urine, and dizziness. He tried to alleviate his discomfort through painkillers and traditional medicine, however nothing ultimately relieved Paw of his symptoms. In early June of this year, Paw's symptoms intensified to the point where his pain made breathing difficult. By this point Paw had lost weight and was completely unable to work. He finally borrowed money from his neighbors and made a trip to Mae Tao Clinic, where he was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot Hospital, for further treatment. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a kidney stone removal surgery for Paw. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 24 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Paw to return to his former, pain-free lifestyle. "I dream of the future in which I can be an entrepreneur, perhaps selling petrol or clothing," says Paw.

Meet Chhoeun, a 72-year-old man from Cambodia. “Chhoeun is married with two sons and four daughters, and 11 grandchildren. He enjoys watching sports and news on TV. He also enjoys listening to the radio," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). One year ago, Chhoeun 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," CSC explains. "I hope my eye can see everything clearly again,” shares Chhoeun, “Then, I can go anywhere outside." After learning about CSC, Chhoeun and his wife traveled three hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Chhoeun's sight. With $292, Chhoeun 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.

Amanyire is a 39-year-old gardener from Uganda. He is married and the father of two girls, the oldest is 15 years old and the youngest is 11 years old. In 2008, Amanyire had a right inguinal hernia repair. Then in 2013, he started feeling pain and swelling in the same area. Due to the pain, he is unable to walk fast or lift heavy items. Amanyire visited a government hospital and was diagnosed with a hernia, which is a condition where part of the intestine is protruding through the groin. He was advised to have surgery, but he could not afford the treatment. If left untreated, Amanyire may suffer many complications. For $249, Amanyire will undergo the hernia repair surgery he needs. After surgery, he hopes to be able to continue working in his gardens and plans to start trading in fresh foods.