Song is a 79-year-old father of five from Cambodia. He has one son, four daughters, and many grandchildren. Song used to work as a sugarcane seller, but now he stays at home to look after his grandchildren. Sadly, Song's wife died during the Khmer Rouge regime and now he lives with his eldest daughter, who is a server at a local restaurant. Six years ago, Song developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him sensitivity to light, itchiness, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Song learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for an hour and a half seeking treatment. On July 5th, 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 $229 procedure. Song shared, "I hope I can see well enough to visit the pagoda on my own and see all my relatives and family again."

Lakati is a 12-year-old boy and the fifth born out of six children. Lakati comes from a big extended family. Lakati got a chance to go to school but since he finished his primary school education he has been helping look after his father's cattle. His parents are nomadic pastoralists who settle in very remote regions, so getting to a hospital is not easy. They depend mainly on milk and meat from their cattle and once in a while, they are able to sell the cattle. Lakati was diagnosed with right genu valgus. His right knee bows inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Lakati experiences pain when walking for a long distance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lakati. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 8th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lakati's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lakati says “We have to walk long distances each day in search of pasture for our father’s cattle and as days go by it keeps being hard for me because of my right leg which hurts badly especially in the evening when we return home.”

Yon is a mother of three from Cambodia. Her husband had died during the Khmer Rouge regime, so she now lives with her eldest daughter who is a rice farmer. Yon enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and visiting the pagoda. Four years ago, Yon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On June 17th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yon shares, "After surgery I hope I am comfortable and can see clearly so I can go places on my own and take care of my grandchildren."