Chheang is a 50-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has three sons and four daughters. He likes to fish in the river, go to his garden, and listen to the radio in his free time. At the end of January, Chheang tripped over a pig and fell onto his right arm, dislocating his elbow. He went to a traditional Khmer healer for 20 days, but his symptoms did not improve. It is difficult for him to use his right arm, and he is in great pain. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $411 to cover the cost of a fracture repair operation. He is scheduled to receive treatment on March 23 at our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After surgery he will be pain-free and able to return to work.

Alicia is a 48-year-old mother of five. She lives with her husband, who works as a farm laborer, and with her two grandchildren. Her husband is the sole earner for the family. For one year, Alicia had been experiencing irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain, lightheadedness, weakness, and shortness of breath. These symptoms all hinder her ability to perform daily household activities. Alicia is a member of a community sponsored by our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). She was able to undergo laboratory tests and was cleared to have surgery. Alicia will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus on February 2. However, her family cannot afford the surgery, so ICM is requesting $187. After this procedure, she will be free of pain and able to get back to her daily life. "I am so thankful for this opportunity. I am hoping that I will be well and no longer experience excessive bleeding. I am excited to have the surgery," says Alicia.

Sok is a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She likes to watch Thai and Khmer dramas on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. Sok developed a cataract in each eye about three years ago, which led to blurred vision, itchy eyes, and photophobia, or extreme sensitivity to light. As a result, it is difficult for her to clearly see things, do any kind of work, or go anywhere outside by herself. Sok first heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, from a person in her village who had surgery there before. She traveled for four hours with her sister-in-law to receive treatment. On January 23, at the Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, Oeu will undergo a phacoemulsification procedure, through which her cataracts will be broken up with ultrasound and removed. She will also have a new intraocular lens implanted in each eye. After this treatment, Oeu will be able to see clearly again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $292 for Oeu's treatment, which will pay for her surgery, medications, and four nights in the hospital. Sok says, "I hope my eyes can see everything more clearly than now, so that I can recognize the faces of everyone, watch TV, and go anywhere by myself."

Zin is a twelve-year-old girl with chronic osteomyelitis in her hip joint. She lives with her parents, four brothers, and two sisters. Zin is currently in seventh grade at school. Zin’s parents own and work a rice field and garlic farms. Her two older siblings also work as day laborers on other farms. Still, the family has to borrow money to pay for fertilizer and to rent tractors and other farm equipment. In February of 2014, Zin began to experience discomfort in her hip. She visited a general hospital and underwent an X-ray. The doctor diagnosed her with tuberculosis and attributed her hip pain to untreated tuberculosis. She was prescribed anti-tuberculosis medication. On a recent visit to the hospital, Zin learned that she needed surgery to treat her hip pain. She had osteomyelitis, an infection in her bone. She could not walk properly, sit for long periods of time, or sleep on her side. On December 15, she underwent a hip replacement surgery. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. “I want to finish school and become an educated person," says Zin. "I want to be a medical doctor or a nurse, because I know how it feels to be a patient.”

77-year-old Srang is married with two sons, seven daughters, and twenty grandchildren. He likes to go to the pagoda in his Cambodian village to listen to monks pray and join ceremonies. About two months ago, Srang developed a cataract in each eye, which has caused him blurred vision and tearing. It is difficult for him to see things clearly, do any work, and go anywhere on his own. Srang heard about Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a person in his village who had surgery there before. He traveled for three hours with his daughter to reach CSC for treatment. On October 28, Srang underwent a cataract surgery and lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly again. This surgery costs $292 and includes all medical expenses and the pre-op and post-op consultations. "I hope I can see things more clearly so that I can easily go to the pagoda or anywhere else outside," Srang shares. "I won't have to disturb another person to take care of me anymore."

Baluku is a 46 years old married man from Uganda. He had two children but, unfortunately, both of them passed on due to malaria. Baluku is a fisherman, but usually doesn’t catch enough fish to sell because the lake is small and the fishermen are many. He would like to be a farmer, but he doesn’t have a piece of land. Baluku developed a painful swelling that is on and off in his inguinal (groin) area three months ago. He feels pain in that area, which sometimes spreads to his back as well. Due to the pain, he is unable to lift heavy objects. This worries him because his work involves lifting items. Baluku had never reported his condition to any hospital because of lack of money. If not treated, the inguinal hernia (part of the intestine protrudes the inner groin) could become stuck, leading to damage to the intestine or even the stomach. $249 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Baluku needs. After surgery he hopes to look for a job or at least work as a casual laborer so that he can get money to support himself and his wife.