Saveoeun is a retired rice farmer from Prey Veng province. She is a 66-year-old woman and has four sons, one daughter, and 13 grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her oldest daughter, who is a farmer. During her free time, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Saveoeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 she is not able to go places on her own. When Saveoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 11th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. She can contribute $50, but needs help raising $213 more to fund her procedure and care. Saveoeun said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better so I can easily go out and recognize people. I feel happy, and I want to grow vegetables around my home for selling."

Talia is a sweet and soft-spoken 11-year-old student from Kenya. Her father is a construction worker, and her mother is a homemaker. Despite health challenges, Talia is a determined girl who works hard in school and dreams of becoming a pilot one day. When Talia was very young, her parents noticed delays in her development. She needed therapy to learn how to walk and did not begin speaking until she was three years old. Around that time, she was diagnosed with hearing loss, but her parents could not afford hearing aids. Without them, school has been difficult for Talia, and she has begun to fall behind her classmates. This has made her dream of becoming a pilot feel increasingly out of reach. Her hearing loss also affects her speech, making her hesitant to express herself for fear that others might laugh at her. About three months ago, Talia and her family visited our partner’s medical care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where doctors recommend hearing aids for Talia. Our partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,171 to fund Talia’s hearing aids, which will be fitted on April 28th. This amount will cover the purchase, programming, and fitting of the hearing aids. With these hearing aids, Talia will finally be able to hear, to learn, and to thrive. Now, Talia's family needs your support to have a fair chance at a brighter future. Talia shared, “When I try to speak, and the words don’t come out right, other children laugh at me. It makes me feel very sad.”

Chea is a grandfather of nine from Kandal province in Cambodia. He is 76 years old and a retired farmer who used to grow vegetables and crops to support his family. He has three sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. Since he stopped farming, his children have been supporting Chea and his wife. In his free time, Chea enjoys visiting the pagoda and participating in religious ceremonies. About two weeks ago, Chea developed a chalazion in his left eye, causing him eyelid swelling, pain, and itching. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. It is difficult for him to see clearly, which causes him discomfort. Chea traveled for two hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 27th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Chea's symptoms should improve. Chea can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Chea said, " I hope that the swelling in my eye will completely stop so that I no longer have to worry about it. I will be very happy if I can return to growing vegetables around my house and continue living a peaceful and active life."