Phoeun is a 70-year-old rice farmer who is married, and has three sons, four daughters and six grandchildren. Both Phoeun and his wife work in rice fields in Prey Veng province. He is a traditional musician and has played at many weddings in his province. He also enjoys watching Cambodian news and growing fruits near his home. About one year ago, Phoeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. When Phoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On February 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Phoeun is seeking help to fund this $253 procedure. Phoeun shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can go back to plant rice well, and I want to go to play more music again."

Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’

Visal is a 16-month-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and brother in Kep province. His father works as a construction worker, while his mother works as a grocery seller and cares for the children at home. At home, Visal enjoys playing with his older brother and taking naps. In September 2023, Visal suffered a burn injury from hot water on his right finger. Now, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the 2nd and 3rd fingers of his right hand. It is difficult for him to grab objects, and limits the function of his hand. When Visal's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand easily again. Visal's family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $395 more to fund this procedure. Visal's father shared, "I hope my son will be able to use his hand easily again and have no problems in the future."