Samon is a retired grandmother. She is 67 years old and has two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest daughter, with both of them caring for Samon's aging husband. Now retired, Samon used to make and sell bottles of fish sauce in the local market. In her free time, she likes watching movies and going to the pagoda to pray. Around three years ago, Samon 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, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Samon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On March 7th, 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. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Samon shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, and I can drive my motorbike to bring my grandchildren to school."

Merge is a 3 year-old child from Ethiopia. She is a beautiful young girl who loves to play with toys and her brothers. She loves to wear new clothes and shoes - her dad shared that she is always asking for new clothes and shoes. Merge loves being around people. Her dad is a farmer with a large family, his older children out of the house and living their own lives. Seven children are still with their parents. Her mom spends her day taking care of her child, collecting firewood from the woods, and pouring water from a long distance from a manual well. She carries the water jar and the sticks on her back. They harvest once a year. Their income is limited to sustain the needs of their household. Merge was born with anorectal malformation and she was referred to Addis Ababa referral hospital and underwent two surgeries. But now she developed an incisional hernia. Fortunately, on February 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $512 to fund Merge's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently as she grows. Merge's dad said, “I hope she will heal. That will make me happy. I will send her to school and I want her to become a doctor.”

Samoeun is a widow and retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. Currently, she lives with her only son and his family, who now manage the family farm. She likes cleaning the house, taking care of her grandchildren, and listening to the monks pray on the radio. For approximately 30 years, Samoeun has had a lesion on her skull. About five years ago, she had a lesion on her back that was removed, but no biopsy was done. Her current lesion is circular, approximately a 4 cm. x 4 cm. lesion. Because it is on her skull, she can only feel it and does not know for sure if it has grown recently. It does not cause her pain, but it is itchy and she is concerned. Fortunately, a relative told her about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and the good care given for Cambodians. Samoeun traveled three hours with her son for a diagnosis and surgical excision. On February 13th, surgeons will perform a complex excision of the skull lesion. With concerns looming over the possibility of basal cell carcinoma, they plan to remove as much as feasible, ensuring Samoeun's well-being and peace of mind. The cost of this procedure is $726, which will cover surgical care, recovery in the hospital, medications, and histology analysis of the lesion. Samoeun shared: "I am worried about the results, but hope I have no pain or infection and can take care of myself well, and enjoy my retirement with my family."