Ireen is a 24-year-old single mother from Malawi. To support her family, Ireen grows maize. While fetching firewood, Ireen fell and fractured her elbow. Because of the pain, she is unable to perform daily tasks and work on the farm. If left untreated, it may result in the non-union of the fractured bone. She is scheduled for surgery on March 12th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $525 for her surgery and care. Treatment will relieve Ireen of the pain and help her resume working on her farm again. Ireen says, “I hope to receive treatment so that I can take care of my child.”

Tha is a 72-year-old military retiree from Cambodia who lives alone in rural Kampong Chhang province. His wife passed away twenty years ago, and he has been living alone. He helps care for his eight grandchildren who live nearby. All five of Tha's children help support him financially through their work in farming and construction. In his free time, Tha enjoys going to the pagoda to pray and watching the evening news. About two years ago, Tha developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Tha learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 19th, 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. Tha and his family are able to contribute $25 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $228 more to fully fund the operation. Tha shared, "For two years, I am feeling scared to drive my motorbike because I cannot see clearly. I would like to be able to drive to see my grandchildren or to the far away pagoda on my own."

Sok Noeun is a 22-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. She lives at home with her mother and four siblings in Kampong Speu province. She has one older sister and three younger brothers; her father is not in her life. Only she and her older sister have jobs, her other brothers aren't currently working. At home, she and her older sister help their mother with house cleaning and cooking. In November 2022, during a heavy rainstorm, Sok Noeun experienced an unfortunate incident when she lost control of her motorbike on her way home from work, resulting in a fractured right tibia. Her sister took her to a local clinic where she had surgery to secure the bone with metal plates and support healing. Now, the bone is united and she needs the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 5th, Sok Noeun will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will remove the ache she still has in her leg. Sok Noeun believes that metal in the body can interfere with the flow of energy and cause health problems such as fatigue or joint pain. Sok Noeun said: "I hope after surgery I will have no pain or infection and my leg will be strong again."