San is a 63-year-old widow and a retired rice farmer. She lives with her younger daughter in Kandal province in Cambodia. San has one other daughter, one son, and three grandchildren. She stays at home most days caring for her grandchildren, or listening to the radio. During the banana season, she fries tropical bananas to sell on the roadside, to earn some money for her daughter, who works in a local clothing factory. One year ago, San developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, and the inability to see well in bright or low sunlight. As a result of her impaired vision, San is reluctant to go out on her own. When San learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 8th, doctors will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, San will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. San said, "I hope after my operation that I will be able to see well so I can cook Khmer cakes and fried bananas to sell. I want to help support my daughter's family."

Kan is a retired rice farmer from Kandal province. He is the proud father of two daughters and three sons, and his family now includes ten grandchildren. Unfortunately, he experienced the heart-wrenching loss of his wife to stomach cancer several years ago. Presently, he resides with his youngest daughter and her family, finding comfort in their company. Since retirement, he has nurtured his spiritual side by frequenting the local pagoda. Over the years, he has become a wise mentor to young monks who seek his guidance. Six years ago, Kan developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him difficulty with his vision. He says he feels like something is always in his eye. It now covers his pupil and he cannot recognize friends and family. 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. When Kan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. Kan 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 $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Kan shared: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and stop irritation and I can read books and go to the pagoda by myself."

Sandi is a young monk from Burma. He lives alongside his fellow novices and monks in a monastery. As a novice, Sandi does not have a personal income, but his family support him and the monastery provides him with food and shelter. In his free time, Sandi enjoys listening to the Dhamma. In February 2022, Sandi began experiencing blurred vision in both eyes. A CT scan revealed a cystic lesion in his brain, indicating a fluid-filled tumor, craniopharyngioma. Sandi experiences significant blurred vision in both eyes, occasional headaches and dizziness, and pain at the nape of his neck. Due to his poor vision, he cannot read books and cannot walk without assistance. Sandi sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on January 10th. Our partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Sandi said, "I want to express my gratitude to BCMF and donors for helping me. I would love to request continued assistance throughout my entire treatment. My desire is to fully recover my vision. Once I recover, I aspire to dedicate myself to studying and trying to become a monk."