This is Sreng, a 70-year-old woman from Cambodia. Sreng has a hypermature cataract in her left eye. This means that the lens of her eye has become very clouded, obstructing her vision. "Sreng's cataracts in her eye worry her greatly because she has no children to help take care of her and her vision is very bad. She can't go to the pagoda or anywhere and she feels very bored and lonely," says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Cataracts are treated in a simple procedure. Doctors surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with an artificial lens that is clear and will allow the patient to see clearly. The entire process takes only 45 minutes to on hour to complete, and patients typically only need 1-2 days to heal after the surgery before they experience clear vision again. For $150, Sreng will receive surgery to restore her eyesight. Funds will cover surgical costs, medicine, and her two-day hospital stay. Sreng is looking forward to having the surgery completed so that she can have her independence back and once again do things she enjoys, like going to the pagoda.

"Helen, a 43-year old mother, is pregnant with her eighth child," International Care Ministries (ICM) tells us about this lovely woman from the Philippines. "Helen is a happy person and loves to spend time with her family." Because Helen is a little older and has had a number of pregnancies before, ICM has recommended that she have her baby in a birthing center in the event of complication. “After her delivery, she will be using contraceptives and help in earning for the needs of the family," ICM writes. $70 will ensure that Helen is able to welcome her baby into this world safely. "The mother's life and the baby will be saved from any complications during the delivery if it will be done at a safe venue," ICM says.

Dorcus is a five-year-old who lives in Tanzania. Dorcus has Hirschsprung's disease, a condition that affects the large intestine and makes it difficult for Dorcus to pass stool normally. Dorcus does not spend time with other children because she is self-conscious of her condition. Dorcus is an orphan who was taken in by a loving family in her community. Her guardians share that Dorcus “was doing well in school and liked to play with other children, but now she isolates herself.” Her adoptive parents have three children of their own, and although they pay for her school fees, they cannot afford the cost of Dorcus’ medical bills. For $1,200, we can fund Dorcus' colostomy. This procedure will allow Dorcus to rejoin her classmates at school and lead a productive life. Let's give her the healthy life she deserves!

Grace is a gifted beautician who cares for her grandmother. Early last year, Grace’s grandmother contracted tuberculosis. Doctors were able to treat her in time, but they missed the fact that Grace was living with her. Grace was exposed to tuberculosis, and it went undetected for months. Now, Grace’s situation is serious. The tuberculosis has spread to her spine, and she can no longer feel her lower limbs. Grace uses a wheelchair to get around and is unable to work because of constant, excruciating pain. Grace's relatives are doing their best to support her. Together, they saved $1,000 to contribute to the cost of her care, an anterior compression with instrumented fusion that is expected to give her a 70-80% chance of walking again. Africa Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting the remaining $1,500 needed to prevent Grace's permanent paralysis and give her a chance at a normal life. Grace “longs to go back to work and make a living," and this is the first step toward getting her back to the salon she loves!

Clementina is a 58-year-old woman who lost much of her mobility when she had a stroke. Without a fully functioning left arm and leg, Clementina has trouble caring for her family and living a normal life. Fortunately, doctors at Wuqu’ Kawoq are confident that physical therapy can help restore Clementina’s ability to function normally. They tell us physical therapy will “maximize her recovery and get her back to as near-normal a life as possible.” Clementina is from an indigenous rural area of Guatemala where nearly 75% of people live in poverty. She lives with her husband and two small children. Clementina's doctors tell us her whole family hopes she can get the therapy she needs to get back on her feet.