Chom Hean is a 42-year-old woman who is a rice farmer along with her husband. Together they have three children, who are all students. In her free time, Chom Hean likes to visit her relatives in their village and listen to the news on the radio at home. Five years ago, Chom Hean developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her irritation, pain, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, which is a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. These growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Chom Hean has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Chom Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled a long eight and a half hours across the country to receive treatment. On May 2nd, she will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $225 to fund this procedure, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Chom Hean shared, "After surgery, I hope my eye can see better and the irritation will stop. I want to be able to plant crops with my husband."

Deborah is a nine-year-old student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, several siblings, and her grandparents. She enjoys singing and listening to music in her free time. Deborah has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, where a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without properly circulating through her body, leaving her feeling sick and weak. To receive treatment, Deborah will fly to Dominican Republic. On March 2nd, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in her heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is also contributing $8,000 to pay for her surgery. Deborah's family needs help raising money to fund the costs of her surgery prep. The $1,500 prep bill covers labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner who will accompany Deborah's family overseas for her surgery. Deborah's father shared, "our family has been praying for years for this surgery to happen, and would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping!"

Saphat is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer. She lives with her sister, who is a farmer. Saphat enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. In 2012, Saphat developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her burning, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, the mucous layer that lubricates the eye. These growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil as a result. Because of this condition, Saphat has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Saphat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 4th, she will undergo a procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $216 to fund the total cost of her procedure, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Saphat shared, "I hope the tearing and burning stop after surgery. I want to see well, do my housework, and be independent.'