Ken is a retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. She is a strong 70-year-old widow who lost her husband to tuberculosis eight years ago. She has one daughter, three sons, and five grandchildren whom she loves dearly. After her husband passed away, she moved in with her youngest daughter, who now runs their rice farm. She enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and finds comfort in visiting the pagoda regularly. About one year ago, Ken developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She often stays indoors for days at a time because she cannot tolerate the bright sun or see in low light. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Ken learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 2nd, 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. Ken is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment, and needs help raising $153 more to fund the procedure. Ken says: "I hope that following the surgery, I will have good enough vision to grow some vegetables around my daughter's home. I look forward to being able to care for myself, and to help my daughter around the home."

Lucia is a baby from southern Bolivia. Her mother stays home with her, and her father is a delivery driver. Lucia was born with a heart condition called coarctation of the aorta. A major blood vessel leading to the heart is too small, which leaves Lucia weak and unable to properly grow. Additionally, she has turner syndrome. Lucia needs surgery to open the aorta to its full size. This will allow blood to flow more easily so she can grow up healthy. Lucia's mother states: "Our family is so happy to know that our daughter can finally have this surgery; we have been hoping for this opportunity since she was born."

Theare is a 15-year-old student from Cambodia. He has two older brothers and they live with their grandmother and cousins in Battambang province. His parents are divorced and his mother works in a clothing factory in another province to support her children. In school, he is in grade five and enjoys classes about Khmer history. He would like to be a teacher when he is older. At home, he enjoys soccer, but cannot play due to his condition. Two years ago, he was riding with his brother on a motorbike and fell, suffering a severe injury to his left tibia or shin. His leg became red, swollen, and painful. His grandmother took him to a local hospital, where he had several different surgeries. Unfortunately, none of the surgeries repaired his leg and has since been diagnosed with a delayed union fracture or a fracture that will not heal without intervention. The local surgeons told his grandmother they could not do any more surgery to fix his leg as Theare needed a more complicated procedure that would entail internal fixation and bone grafting. His current condition hinders his mobility, forcing him to rely on crutches and endure constant pain, impeding his ability to keep up with school and indulge in his love for soccer. When Theare learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a joint arthrodesis procedure to fuse his left tibia and to correct the non-union. This will help him walk unaided and help relieve the pain. Now, Theare needs help to fund this $600 procedure. Theare said, "I hope to walk with no pain and continue my schooling."