Ratana is a 32-year-old grocery seller from Cambodia. She has two sons and enjoys listening to Khmer classical music. Five years ago, Ratana developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her tearing and irritation. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Ratana learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six hours seeking treatment. Ratana needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for March 1. Her brother says, "I hope my sister will be able to see better and the irritation will stop because she is always pain."

Ren is a 55-year-old cement worker from Cambodia. She has seven children and six grandchildren, and enjoys watching Thai TV dramas in her free time. One year ago, Ren developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry and cloudy vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ren learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that after surgery, I am able to continue my work and see clearly."

Salha is a young student from Tanzania. She is the second in a family of three children. For one year, Salha has been experiencing difficulty breathing and sleeping. Frequent illness causes her to miss school Salha was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Salha, which is scheduled to take place on October 19. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Salha of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Salha’s father says, “Please help us. We want to help our daughter but the cost of the surgery is too high for us to afford."

Solomon is a 34-year-old man from Kenya. He and his wife have one child. Solomon works as a small scale farmer with his wife. They plant maize in a small farm that they were given by Solomon's father. One year ago, Solomon started to feel pain in his scrotum. He did not go to the doctor because he felt ashamed to explain his condition to doctors. However, a few months ago, Solomon observed a swelling in his scrotum and decided that he needed to visit the hospital. The doctors performed a testicular ultrasound and then diagnosed Solomon with a bilateral hydrocele that requires hydrocelectomy surgery. On August 25, doctors will perform hydorcelecotmy surgery on Solomon. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund the full cost of Solomon's treatment, which includes labs, medications, supplies, and physician time. Despite their hard work, Solomon’s family was not able to raise the full amount needed to fund Solomon's surgery. They were able to raise $104 for the surgery, and they are requesting assistance to fund the remaining $384. Solomon is eager to return to his farm after surgery to relieve his wife of the additional responsibilities she has had to take on during Solomon's illness.