Sot is a retired rice farmer from Kompong Thom province in Cambodia. She is 79 years old with four children and twenty grandchildren. She is widowed and never remarried following the death of her husband during the Khmer Rouge. She lives with one of her daughters, who works for a local construction company. Sot spends most of her time looking after the house and her grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to visit the village pagoda but has been scared to cross the road since her vision has deteriorated. About six months ago, Sot developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. She feels a loss of independence and experiences difficulty going up and down the stairs in her traditional raised home. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sot learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 18th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. Sot is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $153 to fund this procedure. Sot shared, "I would like to be able to see clearly and do things on my own. I also want to look after my grandchildren."

Sokkry is a 22-year-old rice farmer who lives with his mother and younger sister. Sadly, his father passed away a few years ago. Since then, he and his mother support the family by working in the nearby rice fields. In his free time, he likes to play soccer with his friends in the village. Two years ago, Sokkry fell off a wall while he was training for the army and fractured his right femur. He was immediately transferred to a nearby military hospital where doctors used nails and screws to align the bone and heal the fracture. Now that the fracture is healed, the hardware is causing problems. It is difficult for him to walk, and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 21st, Sokkry will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him walk easily again and stop the risk of infection. After surgery, he hopes he is no longer in pain and will be able to walk normally and play soccer again.

Rosario is a cleaning lady from the Philippines. She has three children who have their own families. Her partner works as a part-time employee in a government agency and their combined income is barely enough for their family's needs. During her days off, she would spend her time singing karaoke with her children. Three years ago, she felt something in her throat. She had difficulty breathing and was easily tired. She was diagnosed with Multiple Colloid Adenomatous Goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Rosario receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 24th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of her treatment and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Rosario's procedure and care. Rosario says, "I am extremely grateful for those who will help me get my surgery done. I am speechless. I went here with high hopes and God did not fail me. Thank you very much."