Pinit is a 24-year-old soldier from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, his grandparents, and two younger brothers in Kampong Speu province. When not working, he likes to play football and go fishing. Pinit fractured his left clavicle a little over a year ago when playing football with his friends. He had an open reduction internal fixation at a government hospital in Pnom Penh. His fracture has healed, but he still feels a chronic ache in his shoulder and neck. He is not able to perform some of the required activities for soldiers. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 13th, Pinit will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. The chronic ache will disappear along with his risk of infection and he can return to full activity in his day-to-day life. Pinit shared: "I would like to get back to my full strength, and I hope taking out the metal will help me to get strong again."

Saray is a 55-year-old mother of four and grandmother of two. She manages a small mobile coffee shop and lives with her husband who is a construction laborer and their youngest daughter who is a garment worker in Kampong Speu province. At home, Saray likes to listen to the news and comedy shows. Two years ago, Saray developed a cataract in her right eye, leading her to develop blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. She has trouble steering her mobile coffee shop and is afraid to drive it on busy roads. When Saray learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Saray needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure. Saray shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better, go outside, and drive my motorbike to continue my work as a coffee seller."

Patience is a primary school teacher from Uganda. Her husband also works as a teacher, and they have four children. Their oldest child is sixteen and in secondary class four, while their youngest is four and in the baby junior class at school. Patience shared that their combined income covers their children’s school fees but is limited in providing for their family’s needs. In addition to teaching, during her time off from the school year, Patience prepares and sells local sorghum porridge. Two years ago, Patience began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling on her neck. While the swelling was initially painless, she started feeling neck pains as time went on. Currently, she experiences airway obstruction when she sleeps or raises her arms, and she can no longer carry heavy loads. Fortunately, Patience had a friend undergo thyroidectomy surgery at our medical partner’s care center, and they referred her for treatment. Patience’s condition was diagnosed as a non-toxic multinodular goiter. She needs to undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Patience receive treatment. On January 3rd, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $333 to fund this surgery. Patience shared: “I hope to get well and look normal again through surgery. I will resume teaching as soon as possible after complete recovery.”