Leap is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and five daughters, and she enjoys playing and taking care of her ten grandchildren. One year ago, Leap developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Leap learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 10th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Leap said, "I hope that I can see better and recognize things and will be able to go outside and plant rice again."

Nuwamanya is a 33-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is a married father with two children in school and the youngest is still a baby who breastfeeds. Both of his parents are small scale farmers as is Nuwamanya and his wife. They mostly grow cassava, potatoes, and beans, making a limited income. Since two years ago, Nuwamanya has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Hydrocele causes him weakness and pain and prevents him from working. Fortunately, on March 5th, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $139 to fund Nuwamanya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Nuwamanya says, “I hope my surgery will go on well so that I can continue with cultivation.”

Ren is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two children, one son and a daughter, and enjoys playing volleyball when he has free time. Five years ago, Ren developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him irritation and burning. 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 and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Ren learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. Ren needs 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 his procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for December 12th. "I hope that my son's eye irritation and tearing will go away and he will be able to return to his work at the rice fields and can continue supporting his family," shared Ren's mother.