Srey Pov is a 28-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter, and enjoys watching television in her free time. When she was fourteen years old, Srey Pov had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Srey Pov experiences discharge, pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly with others and she often experiences discomfort. Srey Pov traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 19, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that after surgery, my wife will be able to hear clearly again and I will not have to worry about her ears being infected." -Srey Pov's Husband

Meet Keng, a 60-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us: “Keng is married with two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She works as a rice and crop farmer and in her spare time, Keng does housework and visits the pagoda.” Six years ago, Keng developed a cataract in both eyes. A cataract occurs when a lens becomes cloudy, resulting in impaired vision. Keng has a white lens and blurred vision, which makes it difficult to see clearly. “It is hard for me to do work on the farm and go anywhere outside by myself,” says Keng. “I can't see the faces of people clearly.” For $225, Keng can receive cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens in her eye and replace it with a clear implant. CSC tells us that with this surgery, “Keng will be able to see clearly again and independently travel anywhere.” Keng shares, “I want to see everything clearly again so I can do my work on the farm well and visit the pagoda by myself. I want to join in ceremonies at the pagoda without help from my family." Let’s make this happen for Keng!

Meet 12-year-old Jose from Guatemala! Jose, who, described by loved ones as a “delightful child,” always has a smile on his face. Over the last eight years, Jose has been experiencing progressive muscle weakness. Currently he is unable to walk and cannot sit without assistance. Several weeks ago Jose and his family learned that he has muscular dystrophy, a degenerative condition affecting the strength of his muscles. Jose needs physical therapy to prevent his muscles from tightening further, since he is currently bedridden. Thankfully, a donated wheelchair will allow Jose to stay mobile. Jose will need instructions on how to transfer in and out of the wheelchair safely and his parents, who are having a difficult time moving him as he continues to grow, need important instructions on how to properly care for Jose with his condition. Although Jose and his family live in a remote area, our partners at Wuqu’ Kawoq are eager to provide home-visit physical therapy and important care instructions. For $720 we can help improve Jose’s quality of life by providing four months of physical therapy and covering transportation costs for the medical team. Although his condition is incurable, Jose remains in high-spirits. Let’s help Jose realize a more hopeful future!

Bira is a master mason living in Nepal with his son and five grandchildren! Recently, Bira was unable to pass stool, and in the days after, he started vomiting more often and felt severe abdominal pain. His daughter-in-law works as a community health volunteer, and after Bira saw a doctor, he was told that he has a small bowel obstruction. Doctors told him that it could be fatal if left untreated. For $1,170, we can fund Bira’s treatment so he can regain his health again and look after his children! Let's help Bira get back up to speed!

Mu Lar is fourteen-years-old and lives with her family in Burma. She is a very happy girl who always wants to play with other kids. She loves school and hopes to be a teacher someday. Because of her heart condition, she has had very little energy and her fingers and toes show signs of clubbing. It is hard to play with other kids because she gets exhausted easily, and walking to school tires her. Her heart condition also causes her to eat very little and has stunted her growth, so she looks much younger than she actually is. For $1500, Mu Lar can receive an artery shunt that will correct her congenital heart condition. This will alleviate her constant feeling of exhaustion. Mu Lar looks forward to being able to walk to school and helping out around the house. Let’s get Mu Lar back to being a normal girl and playing with her friends!

Gorakh is an amiable 52-year-old married man who suffers from an intestinal obstruction. He works hard on his farm to support his wife and two sons. In his spare time Gorakh is active locally in “various social transformation activities like campaigns against caste/gender based discrimination.” The obstruction causes debilitating abdominal pain. If left untreated Gorakh could suffer from an intestinal perforation or even death. Gorakh hopes that with this procedure he will be able to live a long life and provide an opportunity for his sons "to become good and lovable human beings." For $915, we can fund Gorakh’s surgery and help him raise a loving family.

Meet Bernie, a 40-year-old man from the Phillipines. Bernie is a husband, father of three, and a Christian minister. In April of 2011 he dislocated his knee in a motorbike accident. For over two years, Bernie has been in constant pain, making him dependent on his family to help him with daily activities. Bernie is described as a “comedian” who loves basketball and playing the guitar. Needless to say, he is excited to get better, “It means so much to me because I am very dependent on my family. I am looking forward to being able to be in ministry again.” For $955 Bernie can receive an internal reduction and external fixation of his knee. Let's help Bernie get back on his feet and on the basketball court!

Padam is a warm and cheerful husband and father. He lives with his wife, two sons, and daughter in Nepal. He regularly travels to India for work to provide for his family and give his children a great education. Since Padam was 15 (he is now 42) he has had an inguinal hernia in his bowels. This typically isn't serious if treated right away, but he has been living with the condition for nearly 30 years. It has now become life-threatening. Padam needs surgery to remove the hernia, which is causing pain, discomfort, and a risk of bowl strangulation and death. For $1,390, he will receive surgery to remove the hernia. This will allow him to continue providing for his family while living a happy and fulfilling life!

Lakshmi lives up to her name, which means Goddess. She tirelessly takes care of her son, four daughters, and small farm while her husband works in India to support the family. In August, Lakshmi cut her little finger on a thorn. The wound is now seriously infected, making it nearly impossible for her to work. Her finger needs to be amputated to prevent an even more severe infection from spreading. The farm Lakshmi lives on only keeps her family afloat for three months at a time. Despite the supplemental income her husband earns in India, she can't pay for the treatment she needs. Your help raising $1,465 will guarantee that Lakshmi gets proper treatment. The cost covers her diagnostics, travel, treatment and a community health worker to help with recovery. Let's make sure this simple accident doesn't turn into a serious medical problem for this hardworking mom!