Hangatu is a 60-year-old mother of four from Ethiopia. For many years, she and her husband worked on their farm, until her husband died about a year ago. Following this, Hangatu's son, his wife and their children moved in with her. Presently, the whole household lives and works together, depending on the farm for food and income. Over the past four years, a cataract has slowly clouded Hangatu's right eye. At first, her vision was only a little blurry, but it kept getting worse. Now the eye is completely clouded, and she can barely see out of it. She struggles to see clearly, judge distances, and move around safely, especially in bright sunlight or at dusk. Simple tasks like cooking, cleaning, and walking independently have become hard. Farm work, which needs good eyesight and steady hands, is now difficult and sometimes unsafe. She worries about falling or hurting herself while working. Hangatu, who has always been hardworking and independent, is now unable to contribute the way she used to, and relies on her son and his family for help. Fortunately, Hangatu is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Hangatu needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. She says, "I am worried about living in darkness. If I get an opportunity to see again, I will work beside my son, help my family, and take care of myself like before."

Yadesa is an 80-year-old man from Ethiopia. He is a retired merchant who spent his life working hard and building an independent life. Since the deeply sad loss of his beloved wife, he has found comfort and support by moving in with one of his two brothers. One year ago, Yadesa developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and burning sensation. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. For a man who spent his whole life actively connecting with the world through buying and selling, this slow darkening of his sight is truly heartbreaking. It has made it incredibly hard for him to talk and spend time with his loved ones, enjoy the world around him, and hold onto the dignity and independence that have always defined who he is. Fortunately, Yadesa is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Yadesa shared, "I hope to regain the independence I so deeply miss, allowing me to navigate my home and enjoy the company of my brother with newfound ease and confidence."

Chim is an 80-year-old man from Kompong Cham Province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who stays at home and manages household tasks. Together, they have five children, all of whom are married and live in nearby villages. During the Khmer New Year on April 13th, Chim fell from a motorbike while riding on a slippery road. He immediately developed severe right hip pain. An X-ray performed at a private clinic confirmed a fracture of the right hip. Since the accident, he has only been taking painkillers for symptom relief, but continues to experience persistent pain and difficulty walking. This condition has significantly affected Chim's mobility and independence, making it difficult for him to perform daily activities or move around comfortably. He is currently unable to return to his normal routine due to ongoing pain and limited function. Chim presented to the Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for further evaluation and appropriate management. He is scheduled for a partial hip replacement on April 21st to repair the hip fracture, to reduce pain, restore mobility, and improve his quality of life. Chim can contribute $100, but needs help raising an additional $612 to fund his procedure and care. Chim said, “I feel constant pain in my hip, and it makes it very difficult for me to walk or work. I hope I can receive proper treatment so I can recover and return to my normal life.”