Him is a 71-year-old clay potter from Cambodia. He has two sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. He lives with his youngest daughter and his wife who is also a potter. They take their pots to the market to sell to support their family. In his free time, Him likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. Five months ago, Him developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and sometimes tearing. It is hard for him to make pots or travel to the market. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Him learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for an hour and a half with his wife seeking treatment. On March 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Him shared, "I hope after surgery I can see clearly so I can make more pots, go to the market to sell my products, and support my living well."

Biryomumeisho is a 51-year-old small scale farmer and has proudly raised four children. Her oldest child is 34 years old, while her youngest is 20 years old. A few years ago, their family had to pay for significant treatment for her husband's leg fracture, and they were forced to sell a piece of land to pay for his care. He's currently at home and unable to work. Since his accident, Biryomumeisho and her family have often needed to depend on financial support to pay for the children's school fees and meet other daily needs. Six years ago, Biryomumeisho herself starting feeling lower abdominal and back pains, especially whenever she bent or sat down. She also has a severe headache due to these pains, and as a result has completely stopped farming. At Rushoroza Hospital, doctors have diagnosed her with multiple leiyomyomas, or fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. If not treated, she will continue to suffer chronic pelvic pain, and her fibroids could undergo degenerative changes. However, Biryomumeisho and her family cannot afford the care that she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $228 to fund Biryomumeisho's surgery. On May 8th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Biryomumeisho will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Biryomumeisho shared, “My family cannot afford the surgery charges. I'll resume farming as soon as possible once given treatment and be able to support my family like I used to before.”

“I will be happy to see my health restored so that I can continue tending to my family and farm," Bampata told us as he shared his story. He is a married 71-year-old man and a father to 13 children. He practices small scale farming on his banana and coffee plantation and also raises cows for the family's daily needs. For three years, Bampata has had left inguinal swelling, but the pain has worsened over the past month. Due to the pain, he no longer tends to the farm and experiences pain when bending down or attempting to lift heavy loads. When Bampata visited our medical partner's care center, he was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia and hernia repair surgery was recommended. Without treatment, Bampata will continue experiencing pain and there is a chance that the hernia could become strangulated. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $230 to fund Bampata's surgery. On April 20th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Once complete, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently.