Nim is a 58-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province in Cambodia. She divorced and has one daughter and three grandchildren. Nim lives with her daughter who is a rice farmer. She likes to listen to the monks pray at the pagoda. About three years ago,, Nim 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, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Nim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Nim needs a surgical procedure to remove the affected conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Nim is contributing towards the cost of her treatment, but needs help raising $286 more to fund the surgery, that is scheduled for June 9th. Nim says: "I hope that after surgery my eye will stop tearing and the irritation will disappear. I look forward to going back to helping my daughter in taking care my grandchildren, and also visit places."

Kemert is a three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and brother. Her father works as a teacher, and her mother is a homemaker. Shortly after Kemert was born, she began experiencing recurrent tonsillitis. During these episodes, her throat becomes swollen and painful, she develops a fever, and she struggles to breathe, eat, and sleep. These periods of illness are emotionally difficult for Kemert and her family, who say the hardest part is watching her fight to breathe. Although tonsillitis can sometimes resolve on its own, doctors are recommending surgery because Kemert’s condition is severe and keeps returning. Currently, Kemert is experiencing symptoms and has been for about three months. Without treatment, her symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kemert, which is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Kemert of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Kemert’s family hopes for a future where she can feel peaceful during the day and sleep quietly through the night. Instead of being easily annoyed, tired all the time, and feeling sick, they want her to feel healthy and rested.

Gutema is a 23-year-old man from Ethiopia, married with one daughter. He works as a day laborer, a physically demanding job that requires him to use his full strength and mobility every day, typically at construction sites. Recently, Gutema was diagnosed with a severe infection in his thighbone that causes painful swelling. This condition has left him unable to perform the physical tasks his work demands. Because his income depends entirely on his ability to work each day, his family is now in a challenging situation. Without his mobility, his livelihood and his family’s stability is now at serious risk. The bone infection also causes him intense pain. Following Gutema's review at our medical partner's care center Saglan Wajee General Hospital, doctors have recommended that he undergoes a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on June 4th, Gutema will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund Gutema's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. "My family cannot afford to lose my ability to work, as I am responsible for everything in our home. The pain and the stress of not being able to provide for them is overwhelming. This surgery is the key to saving my livelihood," said Gutema.