Srun is a 71-year-old mother from Cambodia. She has one son, and enjoys spending time at the pagoda and listening to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Srun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Srun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 12th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to return to my meditation and help clean at the pagoda," she shared.

"Magdaline is a vibrant woman who loves teaching," our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HWA), shares with us. The 43-year-old woman lives in Nigeria with her husband, where she works as a teacher. Recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids, "Magdaline experiences heavy bleeding, painful menstrual cramps, prolonged flow, and has an enlarged abdomen," HWA reports. Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that form in the walls of the uterus, and can often lead to other conditions, like anemia, if left untreated. Because of the pain she experiences, Magdaline often has to miss some days of work. "She loves teaching and imparting her knowledge to the students," HWA shares. After receiving treatment, she will be able to work without missing days. In order to cure the uterine fibroids, Magdaline will undergo surgery. She will stay in the hospital for seven days for follow-up care. $1,500 will cover the cost of surgery along with the hospital stay. After surgery, "Magdaline looks forward to having the full time with her students as she won't need to be excused from her duties due to her condition," HWA shares with us.

Yohana has been experiencing pain for the past 12 years due to a ventral hernia, a condition that causes a bulge of tissues through the abdominal wall. Yohana is a 48-year-old man from Uganda. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, shares that “the pain has become more intense in the last year.” Yohana and his wife are subsistence farmers who grow cassava and maize. Last year, Yohana began to experience severe pain that kept him from farming. He has tried herbal treatments but the pain continues. $227 will fund Yohana’s hernia surgery. “The surgery will save him from the long-term pain he has suffered,” the Kellermann Foundation explains. “After treatment and recovery, Yohana hopes to get back to his home and practice farming as a source of food and income for his household.” “When I am relieved of this pain, I will farm, take care of my goat, and support my family” Yohana shares. “May God bless everyone who is going to support my treatment.”

Timoteo is a delightful 15-year-old from a Guatemalan community with which our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawok, has been partnered for a long time. In fact, his older sister is on the counsel of leaders, which coordinates Wuqu' Kawok's nutrition program in the community! Lately Timoteo is experiencing progressive hoarseness and pain when talking, which unfortunately hasn't responded to general medical therapy. This suggests that he probably has a lesion on his vocal cords. Fortunately, throat cancer can likely be ruled out considering his young age. Timoteo is very embarrassed by this condition, but he is positive despite it. He doesn’t even complain of the pain, but he says that he is looking forward to having this behind him. Timeteo is a great kid who could really use our help. Wuqu' Kawok is seeking $800 to fund Timoteo's treatment and correct his condition. Let’s do what we can to help out young Timoteo, an extended member of the Watsi family!