Seu is a 59-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has one daughter, two sons, and two grandchildren. She lives with her youngest son and her husband, who is a farmer. During her free time, Seu enjoys listening to the news and to monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Seu developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience eye tearing, itchiness, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Seu learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On July 18th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Seu says, "After surgery, I hope my eye will feel comfortable enough that I can go outside and help my daughter care for her children."

Neema is a three-month-old girl from Tanzania. She was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. She underwent a shunt insertion to drain the fluid from her brain. Unfortunately, Neema's shunt has been malfunctioning. On November 15, she underwent a revision surgery to replace the old shunt with a new one. "We really hope that the doctors can help Neema get better," says her mother. Neema is the youngest of six children. Her parents are subsistence farmers. They were referred to our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House, by the parents of another child who also received treatment for hydrocephalus. Neema's parents cannot afford healthcare. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $775 to fund this procedure.

Meet Mugume, a 17-year-old student from Uganda, with aspirations to become a Catholic priest or a doctor. Mugume has 11 siblings and attends school, where he enjoys mathematics and playing football, but has been less active recently due to a painful hernia. "Sometimes I fail to concentrate in class because of the pain," Mugume said. Three years ago, Mugume began experiencing pain in his left leg and developed a fever. His father took him to the hospital last September where he was diagnosed with a hernia, or a condition in which a tissue or organ comes through an abnormal opening. “Mugume was advised to have surgery," AMHF continues, "but his father did not have the money. His father does not make much money, and is saving most of it for the education of his children.” Mugume’s father grows and sells vegetables to bring in money for the family that depends on the seasonality of his crops. $220 will cover the cost of the hernia repair surgery he needs. Mugume has difficulty walking straight or lifting heavy items due to his pain but remains hopeful about the surgery. AMHF shares, “The treatment will eliminate the risk of intestinal obstruction.” “After the surgery,” AMHF says, “Mugume hopes to get well quickly so that he can concentrate on his studies and help his mother with work at home.”