Sary is A 61-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is a widow and lives with her oldest son. She and her son sell bread to support their family. In her free time, she enjoys watching the news and listening to monks' sermons. About seven years ago, Sary developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. Sary learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On March 5th, she will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $298. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Sary said, "I hope that after surgery, my eye will stop tearing and feeling irritated, so I will not worry about my eye anymore. I also hope to return to selling bread comfortably and continue my daily work."

Josephy is a 76-year-old farmer from Malawi. He has spent most of his life working the land and continues to tend to his crops through small-scale irrigation farming. With his nine children all grown and living on their own, he spends his quieter days with his wife and grandchildren. For the past two months, Josephy has been living with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. The hernia has grown and begun to cause severe pain that spreads through his pelvis and down his right leg, slowing him down and keeping him from the farming work he loves. Fortunately, on May 7th, Josephy will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Josephy is contributing to his treatment, but needs help in raising $500 more to fund the surgery. He says, “I am used to working with my hands and taking care of my home. This pain has made me feel weak and unable to do what I love. If I can have this surgery, I believe I will be able to go back to my life again. I am asking for support so I can be well.”

Tamiru is a 67-year-old farmer and father of seven from Ethiopia. After a lifetime of working the land to provide for his five sons and two daughters, he has become the resilient heart of a bustling household. Tamiru loves his work, but in recent years, medical issues have begun to get in the way. About five years ago, Tamiru noticed some swelling in his right elbow. The mass has grown over time, becoming increasingly painful and restrictive. It prevents him from grasping objects properly and severely limits the natural movement of his hand. Tamiru also feels a sharp tightness and deep discomfort every time he reaches, lifts, or swings a tool—movements that are essential for tilling the soil and harvesting his crops. For Tamiru, this struggle has been deeply frustrating. For him, his hands aren't just tools; they represent his livelihood, his independence, and the legacy he hopes to pass on to his children. Thankfully, Tamiru traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 14th, surgeons will perform an excisional biopsy to remove the mass. Now, Tamiru needs help to raise $750 to fund this procedure. Tamiru shared, "I'm excited to get back to my full strength so I can lead my family with the same energy I’ve had for decades. I can't wait to work my fields again without that tight pressure in my arm. I want the freedom to do the heavy work I love without holding back."