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 Sung, a 73-year-old man from Cambodia. He is married with two sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren. He enjoys visiting the pagoda and listening to monks pray. Two years ago, Sung developed mature cataracts in each eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. This causes him blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for him to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside. "I hope my eye can see everything clearly again,” shares Sung, “Then, I can go anywhere outside." After learning about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Sung and his son traveled three hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Sung's sight. On October 21, Sung underwent cataract surgery, during which his old lenses were removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants. Now, he needs help to fund this $292 procedure.

Neymar is a ten-month-old boy from Guatemala. He has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. This means he has little energy to grow, and his immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. He is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, Neymar began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Neymar loves to play with his toy cars. His favorite foods are cauliflower and broccoli. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. His father works as a day laborer on a local plantation. He cannot afford his son's $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Neymar recover. He will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Neymar a chance to grow healthy and strong. "This program is going to help me be able to give my son the foods he needs," says Neymar's mother, "so he can grow and develop better."

Chhunly is a 76-year-old woman with five sons, three daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She likes to watch Khmer and Thai dramas on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. Two months ago, Chhunly developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and itching. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going anywhere on her own. When Chhunly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On November 25, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Chhunly will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope to be able to see everything clearly, so that I can watch TV and do some work around the home," she says. "I also want to walk to the pagoda by myself."

70-year-old Placidia lives in the hills of Uganda. She is a subsistence farmer who grows nuts, potatoes, yams, and eggplants. She feeds her family and sells the remaining food to support herself and her three children, whom she adopted when they were orphans. Placidia enjoys going to the market to sell her produce and buy clothes for her children. About 30 years ago, Placidia developed a uterine prolapse, an uncomfortable gynecological condition. Last year, she began to experience severe pain and discomfort, and she could no longer farm. On October 27, Placidia underwent a hysterectomy procedure. She needs help to pay for this $321 surgery. After recovery, she hopes to return home and send her three children to school. Placidia wishes the thank the people who will support her treatment. "May God bless you," she says.