Meet Roeun, a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, "Roeun is married with six sons, two daughters, and 18 grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray." CSC informs us that, "For the past 10 months, Roeun has had a pterygium in each eye. This causes her blurred vision, redness, pain. Also, Roeun does not like the way she looks." A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth in the conjunctiva, the mucous membrane that lines the inner eyelid and cornea. For $150 Roeun will receive a surgery in which the pterygium will be removed. CSC tells us, "Roeun's eye pain will decrease and her vision will improve." CSC adds, "Roeun hopes that after treatment she can easily see something clearly like before, and that it will be easier for her to visit the pagoda and join in any ceremony. Roeun also wants to be able to journey to visit her daughter who lives far away."

Abdirahim is a 15-year-old boy who lives in Tanzania with his aunt and father. A few years ago, Abdirahim was diagnosed with meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain. Abdirahim also acquired hydrocephalus, a condition in which high amounts of cerebrospinal fluid build up in cavities of the brain. The fluid buildup makes him agitated and aggressive, explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Although Abdirahim initially had a shunt placed to drain the fluid, the shunt has stopped working properly. "Abdirahim is unable to walk without support and his vision is becoming blurry. The chance of him losing his vision and become completely dependent is very high if not treated." AMHF recommends that Abdirahim's shunt be replaced. With the replacement, he will “get better, and have a good chance of regaining his vision and balance.” The cost to replace his shunt is $775. This cost covers all surgical fees, antibiotics, and a hospital and rehabilitation stay. ”He’s had so many operations. I hope this will be the last one for him," his aunt shares. "All we need is for him to get well, regain his ability to walk without support, and just be able to socialize with other kids."