Teresu is a 14-year-old boy from Tanzania. Growing up in a farming community, Teresu spends much of his time helping with crop cultivation, an important source of livelihood for his family. He has never attended school but actively contributes to family work in the fields. Teresu has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, is a condition where the knees angle inward and touch while the ankles remain apart. His right leg is however more severely affected than the left. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. The condition has caused Teresu discomfort during long hours of standing and walking, limiting his ability to work and participate in daily activities. Despite the challenges, he remains hardworking and hopeful. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $777 to fund treatment for Teresu. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 6th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Teresu's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Teresu says, “I want to walk and work without pain, so I can help my family better.”

Phoeun is a 56-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia who lives in Siem Reap Province with her husband. They have three children, all married, who live nearby and visit occasionally. She enjoys planting vegetables around her home. Two months ago, Phoeun slipped and fell in her backyard, resulting in a fracture of her left humerus. She is experiencing pain and is unable to lift her left arm, which limits her daily activities and work on the farm. Fortunately, on April 8th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Phoeun will undergo a fracture repair procedure that will relieve her pain and help her regain movement in her left arm, allowing her to return to her normal daily life and farming activities. She can contribute $50, but needs help raising $550 more to fund her procedure and care. Phoeun said, “I’ve been in pain for two months and can’t lift my left arm. I’m hoping this surgery will finally relieve my pain and help me regain movement so I can return to my normal daily life.”

Thet is a 65-year-old vegetable seller from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is single and has four siblings, two sisters and two brothers. She lives alone. In her free time, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and join the ceremony. About one year ago, Thet 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 Thet learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 20th, 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 $35, but needs help raising $228 more for her procedure and care. Thet said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly and I can go back to selling potatoes and I don’t worry about my eye anymore."