Ay is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has one daughter, two sons, and six grandchildren. He lives with his wife, who is also a farmer. In his free time, Ay likes to listen to the news and the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Ay developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him sensitivity to light, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Ay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $253 to fund his procedure and care. Ay shared, "I would be very happy to go outside by myself and see all the faces of my grandchildren again."

Mark is a primary school student in a special need school in Nairobi. Mark wears a broad smile and is feeling proud to take his photo and share his story. Mark is the firstborn in a family of two children. Mark's parents are both hawkers at a local market in Githurai. His father sells second-hand shoes famously known as Mitumba and his mother sells t-shirts at the same market. This work results in inconsistent income for their family. Mark has a fracture and dislocation of the shoulder joint and the upper part of the bone of the arm (humerus). As a result of his disability, Mark is unable to communicate the cause of the injury, but his mother suspects he fell a couple weeks ago and injured himself. Mark is unable to use his arm and hand as a result of the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On October 5th, Mark will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and he will be able to use his arm and hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mark's family raise $1,500 to fund this procedure. Mark's mother shared, “Mark is struggling to use his hand. He is in constant pain and it is written all over his face. Normally, he is a jovial kid but the pain is making him frown constantly.”

Or is a 40-year-old woman from Cambodia. She and her husband have three sons, all of whom are in school studying. Or recently had to leave a better-paying job in Thailand to return home for medical treatment. She now works in a local factory, and her husband works as a farmer. At home, Or enjoys baking desserts and sells them to supplement the family's income. Since Or was very young, she has had an ear infection. This infection caused her left ear's tympanic membrane, or eardrum, to perforate. Medication has not helped relieve her symptoms. As a result of this condition, Or experiences pain and chronic tinnitus, a ringing in her ear that prevents her from hearing people when they speak to her. Fortunately, Or traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On December 15th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear to close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund this procedure, which covers all medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Or's family was able to gather $100 to contribute to her care. Or said, "I heard about CSC from relatives and that I can get treatment for my ear. I hope my ears can be fixed so I feel better and can work again to support my family."