Choeun is a 41 year-old rice farmer. He lives in Prey Veng province with his wife and two daughters. His wife also works in the rice fields, and his oldest daughter recently got a job in a clothing factory. His youngest daughter is in 9th grade. When Choeun has downtime, he earns extra income by working as a motorbike taxi driver. At home, he likes spending time with his family and watching the nightly news. About 6 months ago, Choeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, 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. When Choeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 4th, 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. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope after surgery my left eye can see more clearly so I it will be easier for me to drive and work in the rice fields."

Phorn is a 42-year-old vegetable vendor. She is married with three sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is also a vegetable vendor and onion farmer. At home, she helps to care for her grandchildren and watches the news on her phone. Five years ago, Phorn developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Phorn needs 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. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 13th. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye stops tearing and burning. I want to do housework, not be ashamed of my eye, and go back to selling vegetables."

Maria is a 59-year-old lady from Kenya. She is married and has six children; all grown up and working manual jobs to support themselves. Maria and her husband depend on their small farm. For over 5 years Maria has had abdominal pains, especially in the epigastric region. She has been treated many times in different hospitals. This year the pain became much worse and a scan showed a she has cholelithiasis. She came to Nazareth Hospital and our partner surgeon advised her to have a laparotomy. Unfortunately, due to hereconomic status, Maria and her family cannot manage to raise the $788 cost for this treatment. If not treated, Maria will continue to have the pain and may have more complications like pancreatitis or gall bladder obstruction. “I have stayed in pain for many years and even my children are tired of taking me to the hospital every time. I am kindly hoping to have this sponsorship so that I can be treated once and for all so that my life can be normal again. My family lives a life of struggle, we cannot make it to pay for this surgery, so I will appreciate and thank God if helped,” said Maria quietly.

Guy is an 8-year-old student from Haiti. Her lives with his parents and younger brother and sister in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. He likes going to school and dressing up for church. Guy has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without properly circulating through his body, leaving him sickly and weak. Guy will fly to nearby Dominican Republic to receive treatment as the care he needs is not currently available in Haiti. On February 28th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $8000 to help pay for his surgery. Guy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and his check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Guy's family overseas. His mom is relieved that his surgery is finally happening and shared: "I am looking forward to seeing my son gaining weight and strength after his surgery!"

Emmanuel is a student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and younger sister in a small village in the mountains of southwest Haiti. He enjoys going to school and would like to be an engineer. Emmanuel has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is damaged due to an infection he suffered earlier in childhood; as a result, it cannot circulate blood through his body effectively. Emmanuel will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 28, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Emmanuel's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Emmanuel's family overseas. He says, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can start school again!"

Musiimenta is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with six children. Two years ago, Musiimenta has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and backache. She has been diagnosed with cervical fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Musiimenta's surgery. On March 26, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Musiimenta will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Musiimenta says, “I hope to live a better life after surgery and continue with cultivation for the support to my family.”

Catherine is a housewife from Kenya. She is a mother of four children. Catherine has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Catherine. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 26. After treatment, Catherine will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Catherine says, “My prayer is to be treated, to go back and raise my family and fight off the cancer.”

Aida is a mother of four from Malawi. As a self-made entrepreneur, she sorts through discarded clothing and washes it for resale. She enjoys singing Gospel music in her free time. Since August, Aida has been experiencing stomach pain radiating to her back and arms, along with full body numbness. She has been diagnosed with fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Aida's surgery. On November 8, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She is looking forward to being free of pain after surgery. She says, "I am very happy that you have considered to help me through this program. God should bless you!"

Tukwasibwe is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with three children and all are in school studying. Two years ago, Tukwasibwe developed a swelling on her right wrist joint. This has caused her discomfort and disfigurement. Tukwasibwe traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 13, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Tukwasibwe needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Tukwasibwe says, “I hope to get better after surgery and continue to farm and provide for my family.”

Turyahabwe is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is married with six children. For eight years, Turyahabwe has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort and if not treated, it may result in hernia blocking and twisting. Fortunately, on November 13, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Turyahabwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Turyahabwe says, “I am hopeful for restoration of my hope after the surgery and I continue with farming.”

Somaly is a 27-year-old woman from Cambodia. She works at a bank. She has two brothers and four sisters. In her free time, she enjoys tailoring clothes. One year ago, she was in a motorcycle accident and injured her foot. Ever since the accident, she has had difficulty walking and is in chronic pain. In October of last year, she had a procedure done to fix her leg and foot trauma. Now, she is still having difficulty moving and needs another procedure to improve her mobility. Somaly is scheduled to undergo surgery on March 7. Now, she needs help raising $497 to fund the procedure. After her surgery, she looks forward to going home and spending time with her friends and siblings. She says, "After the surgery, I hope I can walk easily and return to work soon."

Namara is a 32-year-old woman from Uganda. She is married and a mother of two girls, who are in school. Her husband works as a driver. Namara used to work in a hotel but has stopped working recently due to her pregnancy. Both of Namara's daughters were born through C-section. Because of her previous scars, her doctor has suggested that she undergo a third C-section to deliver this baby. Now, Namara is scheduled to undergo a C-section on March 15. She needs help raising $280 to pay for the procedure, which should keep both mother and child healthy and safe through delivery. She says, "After surgery I will go for a thanksgiving mass in church and continue taking care of my family."