Teng is a 67-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother from Cambodia. When she is not helping her daughter make noodles to sell, she enjoys visiting the pagoda to hear the monks pray and participate in ceremonies. “Two months ago, Teng's right eyelid began to turn inward so that her eyelashes scrape the surface of her eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “She has been diagnosed with entropion of the right eyelid.” Entropion typically affects only the lower eyelid. The condition occurs most often in older adults due to age-related relaxation of muscles under the eyes or infection of the eyelid. If not treated, entropion can cause damage to the cornea, eye infections, and even vision loss. For $290, a surgeon will remove a small part of Teng's eyelid to tighten the muscles and tendons and correct the entropion. Funding also covers the costs of three days of hospital care, eye drops and ointments, medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection, and pre- and post-operative consultations. “After a lid correction surgery,” says CSC, “Teng's right eye will be relieved of pain and irritation.” Teng looks forward to a successful surgery and relief from discomfort. “I hope my eye is easy to open, so I can help my daughter do some work at home, and I can easily go anywhere outside," she shares.

"Seab is married with one son and two daughters. She has eight grandchildren," says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). The 79-year-old woman lives with her family in Cambodia. "Five months ago, Seab's lower eyelid began turning inward because of a condition called entropion," CSC tells us. Due to this, Seab's eyelashes often scratch the surface of her eye, causing irritation. "I am teary all the time, it is hard to see, and I can feel my eyelashes on my eye," Seab explains. Seab was diagnosed during a CSC outreach program aimed at widening health care to even remote regions of Cambodia. After learning that she could receive surgery for her condition, Seab and her daughter travelled to CSC’s clinic on the program’s outreach bus. For $290, Seab can undergo an entropion repair operation. The surgery will have a marked improvement on Seab’s everyday life, alleviating the irritation, improving her vision, and restoring her overall independence. “Seab enjoys visiting the pagoda in her free time and listening to the monks pray,” CSC says. Excited to regain her independence, Seab shares, “After my surgery I hope I can go to the pagoda and join in ceremonies and take care of myself without help."

Sopheap, a 67-year-old man from Cambodia, developed a cataract in each of his eyes one year ago. "I can't see well or travel very far on my own," the grandfather of five shares with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Due to his cataracts, Sopheap experiences blurred vision and general irritation around his eyes. While cataracts naturally worsen and can ultimately lead to functional blindness, this outcome can be avoided through a brief, widely practiced eye surgery. $225 will cover the cost of Sopheap's cataract operation as well as his three-day hospital stay. "After a phaco surgery and an IOL implant in each eye, Sopheap will be able to see clearly again," CSC tells us. Sopheap, who is married and has four children, is a seller at the market and enjoys watching the news on tv in his free time. "I want to continue my selling at the market after surgery," tells us. His wife adds, "I am happy that my husband will be able to see again and can walk places on his own and go outside easily."

Meet Eliru, a 24-year-old man living in Uganda. He is a third year university student and the son of a single mother. “Eliru has one parent who is a peasant and struggles to pay his school fees,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Six months ago, Eliru developed a painful swelling in his right shoulder that he later learned was a lipoma, a benign tumor composed of fat tissue. Eliru’s lipoma is adversely affecting his day-to-day life: “he feels pain during lectures and this affects his studies,” says AMHF. The pain is also making it harder for Eliru to help his mother. “He cannot carry anything heavy,” AMHF states, “and this affects his ability to help his mother with domestic work at home.” AMHF explains, "Eliru cannot afford his treatment and wishes to be helped so that he can be well.” If the lipoma is not removed, it is likely that his lipoma will continue to grow and his pain will increase. For $120, Eliru will receive a surgery in which his lipoma will be removed. AMHF expects that after the surgery, the swelling will go down and Eliru will no longer be in pain. “I hope to be fine and well after the surgery,” shares Eliru, “and to be able to finish my studies.”

Meet Rajendra, a 45-year-old man from Nepal. "Rajendra lives with his wife and three young daughters," shares our medical partner, Possible. "Rajendra was walking up to his village when he tripped on the way and fractured his right leg," Possible tells us. There is some deformity in his leg from the fracture, and it has been tender for days. As a cattle rearer and farmer, Rajendra serves as the sole provider for his family. His nephew adds, "Rajendra's work on the farm requires him to actively move around." Thus, it is especially important that he receives surgery as soon as possible. $579 will cover an operation to correctly align the fractured bones in Rajendra's leg, securing them with pins. He will also receive a cast to ensure that the bones do not move for a month of recovery. The surgery will allow Rajendra to return to tending his farm, caring for his cattle, and providing for his family.