Sreng is a 66-year-old widow from Kampong Cham province. She has lived alone since her husband passed away ten years ago due to hypertension. Her nephew lives nearby and supports her. She spends her days keeping her house clean and visiting the local pagoda, which brings her peace of mind. Several years ago, Sreng developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. 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 Sreng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 16th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sreng said, "I hope after surgery I can see better, do housework, and plant vegetables around my house for my meals."

Herman is a baby boy from Bolivia. He lives in the eastern part of Bolivia with his mom, a homemaker, his dad, who works in the fields, and his four older siblings. He was hospitalized immediately from birth as he had difficulty breastfeeding, and he was on an incubator for 28 days. Doctors informed his mother he had a congenital heart defect, and he needed urgent surgery. Herman has a cardiac condition called total anomalous pulmonary vein return. The pulmonary veins are connected to an abnormal location in the heart, and as a result, oxygen-poor blood is circulated through the body instead of being passed to the lungs. On April 30th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will reattach the vessels to the heart at the normal location, so that blood can flow normally through the heart and body. Herman's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, the International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the costs of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications. Herman's mother says, "We traveled from so far away, and finally, my boy can receive a lifesaving surgery. I pray for a successful surgery so my baby can be healthy."

Hoky is a retired sidewalk donut seller from Phnom Penh. She is a 67-year-old widow, as her husband passed away ten years ago. She has two daughters, three sons and six grandchildren. Hoky lives with her youngest daughter who works as a security guard. At home, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. About two years ago, Hoky developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. She often stays indoors for several days at a time because she cannot tolerate bright sunlight or see in low light. She is no longer able to work due to her deteriorating vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. Hoky learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On January 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Hoky and her family can contribute $50 but need your help to raise $203 more to fund this procedure. Hoky is looking forward to this surgery and said: "I hope after this operation I can see better. I want to recognize my family and walk outside by myself."

Leang is an 80-year-old widow living in Phnom Penh. Her husband tragically passed away in a car accident about 30 years ago, leaving her to navigate life as both a mother and a provider. She raised a beautiful family—one son and three daughters. Leang has five wonderful grandchildren who bring joy to her life. She lives with her youngest daughter, who works as a seamstress in a local clothing factory. Leang used to be a grocery seller, a job that kept her active and connected to her community. Though she no longer works due to her poor eyesight, she helps her daughter around the house or visits the local pagoda to pray. About eight months ago, Leang developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision. Vision loss can make it difficult for older adults to engage in social activities or even recognize faces. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. Leang visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On December 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Leang's family can contribute $100 to her care but needs your help to raise $153 more. Leang shared: "I hope to see my loved ones' faces again, easily recognize my relatives, and walk to the pagoda without assistance."

Thol is 50 years old and has spent many years planting and growing rice outside. He and his wife have a close-knit family that includes one son, one daughter, and two grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who works in a garment factory, and their daughter, who is also employed in the same factory. In his free time, Thol enjoys listening to the news and the prayers of monks on the radio, which brings him peace. About a year ago, Thol developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, itchiness, and photophobia. His home is a traditional Khmer stilt house with steps, and he now requires assistance to navigate the steps. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Thol learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Thol's family can contribute $100 but needs your help to raise $153 more to fund his procedure and care. Thol said: "I am hopeful that after my operation, I can recognize faces, go outside, and grow rice for my family."

Alejandro is a tech-savvy 11-year-old boy from western Bolivia who just finished fifth grade. He loves everything related to computers and video games. He lives with his parents, who are both schoolteachers, and his two younger brothers. Alejandro was born with a ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him feeling weak and short of breath. Fortunately, Alejandro is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 27th with the support of our long-standing medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance, which is now growing and expanding into Bolivia. Surgeons will close the hole with a patch, allowing blood to properly flow through his body and improving his quality of life. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $2,500 to pay for a portion of Alejandro's procedure costs. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining costs, which cover surgical expenses, cardiac exams, medications, and travel fees so Alejandro and his family can travel to receive his life-changing cardiac procedure in La Paz. Alejandro shares, "I am excited to be allowed to play soccer once I have recovered from my surgery!"

Vantha is a 77-year-old widow from Cambodia. She currently lives with her daughter, who is a farmer. Vantha helps with the cooking and cleaning around their home. During her free time, she enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. Ten years ago, Vantha developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her to experience eye tearing, itchiness, redness, and blurry vision. 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. Vantha has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Vantha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, Vantha will undergo 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 $225, which covers treatment, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Vantha says, "I hope that after surgery I will see better. I want to recognize people's faces and go to the pagoda by myself."

Meet Glenda, a 20-month-old baby who lives in Guatemala with her parents and six older siblings. Her favorite toy is a doll that was given to her by her siblings and her favorite fruit is an orange. Glenda has acute malnutrition. “Her mother and father knew she was malnourished because the community health center told them when they weighed her,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, explains. “Glenda is far below the average height and weight for her age. Without intervention, Glenda’s weight and height will continue to fall away from the curve and she will be at risk for the long-term effects of malnutrition.” “Her physical and mental development and growth will be stunted, preventing her from reaching her full potential,” Wuqu’ Kawoq continues. “Her immune system will continue to weaken and her parents will likely have to spend money (that they do not have) on medication and medical consultation.” $535 covers the full treatment cost to get Glenda back on a normal growth curve. “This treatment will supply Glenda with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication needed to increase her overall caloric intake,” Wuqu’ Kawoq says. “Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education, thus building her confidence and ability to care for Glenda throughout her childhood. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Glenda the chance to live a healthy and productive life.” “This work is good,” shares Glenda’s mother. “With this support, we can improve the quality of food for our child. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to enter in this program.”

"It has been difficult for my wife to support our family alone over the past year,” says Julius, a 37-year-old man who lives with his wife and two young children in Kenya. “Julius first began having back problems in 2009,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “His limbs often become numb, and he cannot bend or lift anything. If not treated, Julius could suffer permanent nerve damage, and this might render him disabled.” Julius has a condition known as spinal disc prolapse, commonly known as a slipped disc or herniated disc. Spinal discs sit between adjacent bones (vertebrae) of the spine. When the fibrous outer covering of the disc weakens, the gel-like core expands and contacts a nerve from the spinal cord, causing pain, weakness, numbness, and tingling in the legs. Julius has not been able to work as a driver since last year because of his condition. To support the family, his wife farms arrowroot to sell and use at home and also works on other farms for additional income. Doctors recommend surgery—laminectomy, discectomy, and spinal fusion—to cut away a portion of the vertebrae and the prolapsed disc and join the adjacent vertebrae. With $1,500, Julius can undergo back surgery and receive 10 days of hospital care and physiotherapy. “We expect that after treatment and recovery,” says AMHF, “Julius will no longer be in pain or suffer numbness. He will be able work again.” “I hope to get well soon so that I can work again and provide for my family," says Julius.

Meet Hugo, a 16-month-old boy from Guatemala. His favorite food is hard boiled eggs and he enjoys playing with toy cars. Hugo is the only child to his mother, a blouse weaver, and father, a plantation worker. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), reports that Hugo has acute malnutrition. His symptoms include a below average height and weight. "Most children in the village where Hugo lives are malnourished, and as a result it is more difficult for the mothers to identify that their children are suffering, as there are limited examples of how healthy children grow/develop," WK states. If left untreated, Hugo's malnutrition could lead to a weakened immune system, decline in energy, and delays in developmental milestones such as walking and talking. WK shares that as a result of a continued decline in Hugo's health, his family may face tough financial challenges. $535 will fund care for Hugo's acute malnutrition. "This treatment will supply Hugo with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for him to recoup some of the weight and height he has lost and prevent any sort of parasitic infection," states WK. “This is a great help… this will help our son grow well. We can’t afford what he needs to grow well at this time, but the education and supplementation will help us learn what we can do,” says Hugo's mother.

Meet Bwanakei, a three-month-old baby boy from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Bwanakei has an abnormal head size due to accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid in the brain.” Bwanakei’s swelling is caused by a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an excess of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up, creating heavily pressurized areas in the brain. As Bwanakei grows and develops throughout his childhood, this condition could pose serious health complications, including vision loss and limited physical mobility. AMHF tells us, if Bwanakei “is not treated, the accumulation of cerebral spinal fluid may cause brain damage.” Bwanakei’s Parents are subsistence farmers who not only provide for their eight children, but also for Bwanakei’s grandparents. AMHF explains that, Bwanakei’s parents have a hard time “harvesting crops from their small piece of land because there are wild animals nearby that destroy their crops.” AMHF adds, “They are therefore not able to raise funds for Bwanakei’s treatment.” With $980 in funding Bwanakei will receive a surgery where a stunt will be put in his head to reroute the cerebral spinal fluid to the abdomen, where it can be more easily absorbed. AMHF believes this surgery will prevent brain damage. Bwanakei’s father shares, “I came here in faith with nothing but bus fare for my wife and child. I am hopeful that Bwanakei will get treated.”

Meet Chan, a 21-year-old student from Cambodia! Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Chan enjoys reading the newspaper and listening to Khmer pop and traditional music in his free time.” Due to a broken arm sustained from an accident, however, Chan is currently unable to attend school. CSC explains, “Chan was in a traffic accident about three months ago and broke his left forearm in a couple of places.” Upon visiting a local hospital, “The doctors put him in a hard cast for six weeks without resetting the bone first.” As a result of this improper procedure, “Chan’s arm is now deformed,” reports CSC. The uncorrected injury limits the functionality of Chan’s arm and he experiences issues with “bending his elbow and carrying things.” With $405 in funding, Chan will receive an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) operation. This two-part surgery will first reset the broken bones in his left arm. Afterwards, metal rods and plates will be used as internal fixatives to provide structure for the bone’s regrowth. In addition to surgery, Chan will receive five days of hospitalized care and all of the necessary examinations for a successful procedure. CSC fully expects this operation to positively impact Chan’s life as “Chan will have a corrected arm and will be able to fully use it.” After his recovery, Chan will be able to return to school and resume his studies.