Maria is an elderly small-scale farmer and mother to five children, sadly, two of whom have passed away. Among her children, she has two sons: one is a teacher, and the other is a builder. Her daughter is pursuing a career as a nurse. She lost her husband twelve years ago, but through her dedication to farming, she has been able to proudly provide education for all her children until they became self-reliant. Although Maria completed primary school, she was unable to pursue her own further studies. Currently, Maria resides with her granddaughter, born to one of her late sons who served in the army. For three years now, Maria has had a left reducible inguinal hernia, a type of painful hernia where soft tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Maria sought medical care after experiencing swelling, fatigue, and movement-triggered pain that greatly impacted her ability to work and perform everyday activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help Maria. On June 6th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $230 to fund Maria's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Maria says, “I hope to get well and I will continue living in better health."

Roeun, who is 65 years old, is a retired rice farmer living in Kampong Cham province. She has five sons and 17 grandchildren. She shared that her husband abandoned the family several years ago, leaving Roeun to parent alone. All of her sons work far from home, so she lives with her sister, and receives financial support from her children. She helps care for her grandchildren, and in her free time, she likes to listen to monks chanting on the radio. One year ago Roeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, and is reluctant to do things on her own, due to her vision. When Roeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment. On April 4th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, Roeun will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Roeun said: "I hope I can see everything and recognize faces after surgery."

Un is a 61-year-old grandmother who dotes on her seven active grandchildren. She and her husband are rice farmers and have three sons and four daughters. One daughter lives with them and helps with housework and cooking. About one year ago, Un developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She is afraid to use her stove because she cannot see numbers or dials, and is afraid she might injure herself or her daughter. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Un learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Un said, "My eye feels cloudy and I can't go outside to help with the rice crops. I hope after surgery I can see more easily and go outside by myself."

Roeun is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province. She is a widow with one son, one daughter, and six grandchildren. She lives with her daughter who supports them by working in a garment factory. She enjoys going to the pagoda to pray, growing vegetables, and gardening around her house. Five years ago, Roeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus she is unable to travel on her own. When Roeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Roeun needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "I hope after this surgery I can take care of my grandchildren and help with the housework more."

Lin is a 74-year-old widow. Sadly, her husband passed away many years ago, and she has one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who farms rice on their ancestral land. Lin cooks and cares for her grandchildren and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio in the evenings. Two years ago, Lin developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. 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. She feels like she has lost her independence. When Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 14th, 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. Now, she needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure and care. Lin shared, "I hope after surgery my eyesight will be better so I can recognize my family and visit the local pagoda to join in ceremonies."

Tablut is playful a eight-year-old boy from Burma. In his free time, he enjoys playing football with his friends and hunting with a slingshot in the jungle. He lives with his parents and four sisters in a village near the border in Karen State, Burma. During the day, Tablut and his sisters go to school in the village, while his parents work as agricultural day laborers. They also grow rice for their family to eat, as well as raise chickens and pigs. Together they earn 5,000 baht (approx. 166 USD) per month. The income they earn is just enough to cover their monthly expenses and they cannot afford to pay for other costs that come up including basic health care. On April 26th, Tablut and his friends climbed up a mango tree to pick mangoes, however, Tablut slipped and fell out of the tree, fracturing his right leg. Right away his thigh looked deformed, and he experienced a lot of pain. His friends ran to get his mother who carried him on her back to a nearby clinic where he was admitted for four days. There the medic wrapped his right thigh in a bandage and gave him medication for his pain. While admitted, his pain lessened but his thigh became swollen and he began to develop a fever which caused him extensive pain and an inability to sleep. His mother was told by the medic that they would arrange transportation to take him to a hospital. On April 31st, Tablut and his mother were brought to our medical partner's care center Maharaja Nikon Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH). There, he received an x-ray confirming that his right thigh was fractured. In early May he underwent surgery to place an external fixation device onto his right thigh. Initially, after surgery his pain lessened, however as time has gone on the pain and swelling have returned and he's once again began to develop fevers at night, as well as blisters on his leg where the external fixation device is attached. Currently, he cannot shower by himself, and cannot move his right leg or walk anywhere without the help of his mother. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Tablut will undergo surgery on June 17th to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. After surgery, Tablut's pain will finally subside and he will be able to walk, play, and go back to school to be with his sisters and friends. Our medical partner is asking for $1,500 to fund Tablut's surgery and medical care. His mother said, “Now I am miserable. I want my child to receive surgery quickly so that we can go home. I worry for him and I also worry about my other children who were left behind [at home]. There is flooding in my village, and I am worried that they will go to the river to swim. Thinking about both Tablut and my other children, I can’t sleep at night nor eat. The school will reopen soon, but I have not saved any money for my children’s school fees yet. I want him to go to school when he recovers.”

Sambath is a loving 78-year-old grandmother. She has two daughters and six beautiful grandchildren. Sambath's husband has unfortunately passed away, so she now lives with her youngest daughter, who is a garment worker. Sambath spends much of her time cooking for her family, caring for her grandchildren, and listening to monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Sambath developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience light sensitivity, blurry vision, and eye tearing. 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 she learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 9th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sambath says,"After surgery, I hope my eye can see everything clearly so I can take care of myself, go to the ceremonies at the pagoda, and help to take care of my grandchildren."

Sarom is a 77-year-old Buddhist nun living in Cambodia. She has two daughters, five sons, and 13 grandchildren. She lives alone in the pagoda, as her husband passed away many years ago. She enjoys reading religious texts, meditating, and mentoring the younger nuns. Two years ago, Sarom developed a cataract in her right eye. Because of the tearing and blurry vision caused by the cataract, she can no longer read her beloved texts, the activity that used to fill her days in the pagoda. And, because she cannot see clearly, she is reluctant to go out on her own. After learning about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Sarom made the trip to see their doctors, in order to be evaluated. As a result of her visit, she is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery - and the implantation of an intraocular lens - on October 3rd, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After she has recovered from the surgery, Sarom should be able to return to her reading, which is so important to her. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Sarom said: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can travel to visit my family."

Va is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer who is married and has two daughters, four sons, and 12 grandchildren. He currently lives with his wife, and their home is located near their children. He enjoys spending his time visiting the pagoda to listen to monks pray. Two years ago, Va developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience eye tearing, blurry vision, and light sensitivity. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Va learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Va shares, "I hope I can see clearly again so I am able to go outside easily, see things clearly, and travel on my own."

Ly is a 62-year-old widow from Cambodia who has seven children and eight grandchildren. She currently lives with her youngest son. Some of her favorite activities include joining ceremonies at her local pagoda and cooking for her grandchildren. Five years ago, Ly developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience blurry vision, light sensitivity, eye irritation, and tearing. 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 Ly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On August 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place 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. Ly says, "I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself. I want to be able to help care for my grandchildren and walk to the pagoda by myself."

James is a hardworking man coming from the outskirts of Nairobi and is a father of two daughters, one in college and the other having completed high school recently. He is separated from his wife and takes up casual labour to make ends meet. He is a jovial man. In August, James was involved in an accident when a motorcycle hit him as he walked on a footpath. The motorcycle driver escaped leaving him in pain. He was taken to a local hospital for first aid and then to a district hospital. He had an x-ray done but was only given pain medication and advised to wait for the bone to heal on its own. However, James' mother decided to bring him to Nazareth hospital. His leg is painful and swollen and he is not able to walk at all. James was recommended to undergo an ORIF surgery to repair the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 30th, James will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will allow the fractured bone to heal with ease allowing him to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. James says, “I am glad there is hope for my leg to be treated so that I can go back to my normal life.”

Koem Heak is a 71-year-old farmer who is married and has three sons, five daughters, and many grandchildren. Koem Heak lives with her husband and their youngest daughter who is also a farmer. She enjoys taking care of her grandchildren and listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Koem Heak developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Koem Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On August 19th, 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 $229 procedure. Koem Heak shared, "I hope after surgery my eye will see clearly. I will be happy to see the faces of my grandchildren and be able to visit the pagoda by myself."