Frank is a small-scale farmer from Bwanda Rwego Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. He is married and has five children. He grows crops to feed his family. He also does causal labor work in other people’s gardens. For five years, Frank has had a right inguinal hernia. This causes him pain that worsens when coughing, laughing, and lifting heavy loads. Fortunately, on September 3rd, he will undergo surgery and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund the procedure. Upon completion, this will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Frank says, “My children are still in school and I am the only hope they have to provide for the family. In such ill health, I can’t work so I am unable to provide but I believe with your support, I will undergo surgery and will get well.”

Sok Heng is a 13-year-old boy who lives in Takeo province with his parents. His older siblings live with a relative and attend high school in the capital city, Phnom Penh. His parents make and sell different kinds of ice cream outside their home. Sok Heng's favorite subject is Khmer history and culture. When he grows up, he wants to be an ice cream maker like his parents. In his free time, Sok Heng likes playing games on his dad's phone. When Sok Heng was just 5 years old, he accidentally injured his right hand and arm by placing his hand into a running ice machine. His mother immediately took him to a hospital in Phnom Penh, where doctors had to amputate his right arm above the elbow. In the last several months, the stump has become painful and there is overgrowth of the bone in the affected area. Sok Heng now needs another amputation on his right arm to address the issues with the current amputation site. On June 17th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a right upper arm amputation to remove the unhealthy tissue and relieve Sok Heng from his pain. Sok Heng's family is able to contribute $100 towards his medical costs but needs help raising the remaining $379 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Sok Heng hopes he will no longer experience any pain, and can return to playing with his friends as soon as possible.

Bi is a 62-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. She is married with one son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband and their third daughter, both of whom also work as rice farmers. At home, Bi enjoys cooking for her grandchildren and listening to the Buddhist radio station. About six months ago, Bi 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. Bi 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 Bi learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, Bi will be able to see clearly. Bi and her family are able to contribute $100 towards the cost of her treatment and need help raising $153 more to fund the procedure. Bi says, "I hope to see more clearly so that I can take my grandchildren to school and walk to the pagoda on my own."