Chom is a loving grandmother: a mother of three sons, four daughters, and has 13 grandchildren. She has lived in Svay Rieng province in Cambodia with her youngest daughter, a rice farmer, since her husband's passing. At home, she enjoys going to the pagoda with other villagers on holy days. Six years ago, Chom developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her vision to blur. She has difficulty seeing clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. Thus, she is unable to travel places on her own anymore. When Chom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she came four and a half hours from her province seeking treatment. On January 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Chom needs help to raise $253 to fund her procedure and care. She said: "I hope after surgery I can see well again. I can walk and eat by myself and feel useful to my family."

Benedister is a 45-year-old single mother and small-scale farmer from Kenya. She plants maize and millet for her family's consumption and for sale. Benedister has seven children between 11 and 23 years old. When she is done with her farm work, Benedister always looks for casual jobs in order to earn extra wages. She is very hardworking, as she is her family’s sole breadwinner. One day, while walking around her compound, Benedister fell and injured her right lower limb. She was unable to walk, so she was carried by some of her relatives to the hospital. Her pain was so intense that she was given some pain medication, then sent for an x-ray. The x-ray revealed that she had a bimalleolar fracture with a joint dislocation, which means that in addition to a bone being broken, the ligaments on the inside of her ankle were injured as well. She was treated, and then her ankle was immobilized with a bulky jones splint. She is not able to walk on her own and is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 7th, Benedister will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Afterward, she will be able to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Benedister says, “It’s really sad that I cannot walk without support. My children look up to me for all their needs and here I am now with a broken leg and cannot offer any help to them. Please help me get my bones fixed so that I will be able to work and live normally as before.”

Mao is a 52-year-old grandmother from Kompong Chhnang province in Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. She earns a living by selling packaged food in her local market and her husband is a police officer. In her free time, she likes to watch the news and check her Facebook. Three years ago, Mao developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. on February 9th, Mao will undergo treatment to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. Mao needs help raising the $225 to fund her medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Mao said, "I hope after surgery I can feel better and take care of my grandchildren."