Sreng is an 80-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married with one son, one daughter, and four grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. She traveled two hours with her sister to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Sreng developed a cataract in each eye two years ago. This causes her blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and cloudy lenses. Sreng's doctors told her she was in need of a phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal lenses and restore her vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $292. Sreng's family needs financial assistance to complete payment. Sreng will have her vision cleared after full recovery from her surgery, and will be able to visit the pagoda again.

Reth is a 52-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has three sons and two daughters. He enjoys staying at home, watching TV, and going to his rice field. For five months, Reth has had a chronic wound that will not heal in his right foot. Foreign material has caused inflammation in the tissue, and his foot will not heal until it is removed. Reth is in pain and it is difficult for him to work. Before visiting Children's Surgical Centre, Reth went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but it was ineffective. For $224, Reth will undergo a procedure on his right foot to remove the foreign material and allow him to continue his work in his rice fields again. Reth says, "After the operation, I hope that I can walk normally again and without pain."

Mugenyi was born in Uganda, where his father noticed his son's scrotal swelling as an infant. Although Mugenyi's father observed the condition, known as congenital hydrocele, he shares that his son "was not taken to hospital because of lack of money." Mugenyi is now a fourth year student in primary school near his home. He tells our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), "my best subject is mathematics and I want to be a nurse." AMHF adds,"Mugenyi likes eating cassava and enjoys playing hide and seek." He used to love playing football, but had to stop because of his condition. For $215, Mugenyi will have an operation to repair the hydrocele in his scrotum and remove the painful swelling. With treatment, Mugenyi will no longer be at risk of infection and can enjoy a more active lifestyle. “After surgery, Mugenyi hopes to get well soon so that he can continue playing football with his friends at school and in his home village,” AMHF shares. His father, a small-scale farmer, adds, "I am worried about this condition my son has. Thank you very much.”

“I have to get well for the sake of my children. They have no one else to look up to,” says Catherine, a 41-year-old single mother of two, living in Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us both of her children and still in school, and she works several jobs -- such as cleaning and cooking -- to provide for them. Catherine was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids -- growths from the muscles inside the uterus. The fibroids have been causing her severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding for the past year, making it difficult for her to work. “If not treated, Catherine will continue to be in pain and the bleeding may lead to anemia. The fibroids will continue to grow, affecting surrounding body organs,” shares AMHF. Catherine needs a hysterectomy to remove her uterus, and therefore remove the painful fibroids. The surgery will cost $790, which includes surgical and medical expenses, medication, and a five day hospital stay with food. Catherine cannot afford treatment on her own, as she is her family’s sole source of income. After the surgery “Catherine will be able to resume her job and take care of her young family," AMHF adds.

“I pray for a successful treatment so that my daughter can walk like other children,” said Muokolewa’s mother. Meet Muokolewa, a three-month-old baby girl from Tanzania who was born with bilateral clubfoot. “Muokolewa will not be able to walk [normally] when she starts walking and she will also have an increased risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the small bones if not treated,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Muokolewa is a happy, healthy baby. As the fourth born child in her family, her mother shares with us that “she is very comfortable being carried by anyone!” Muokolewa’s mother is a small scale farmer, but at the moment caring for Muokolewa is her full time job. Unable to afford treatment, she sought out African Mission Healthcare Foundation in order to help Muokolewa receive the care she needs. In order to correct Muokolewa’s gait, she will need x-rays, casts, clubfoot surgery, and recovery treatment. $1,160 will cover the cost of Muokolewa’s treatment, ensuring she will grow up strong, walking normally, and enjoying activities like all of the other children in her town!