Hem is a 57-year-old rice farmer from Pailin Province in Cambodia. She is married and lives with her 64-year-old husband. They have four children. Her first and second children are rice farmers, her third child works for an organization, and her youngest child is a teacher. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks praying and keeping up with the news. Hem has a herniated disc at the L4-L5 level of her lower spine, a condition in which a spinal disc presses on nearby nerves. She has experienced intermittent lower back pain for approximately three years, but about one month ago, the pain began radiating down the back of her left leg. She also experiences intermittent numbness in her left leg and weakness when extending her left toe. These symptoms have made walking and carrying out her daily activities as a farmer more difficult. Hem was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), by a relative. She traveled approximately seven hours from Pailin to seek specialized care. After evaluation, doctors recommended surgery to relieve the pressure on the affected nerves. Hem is scheduled to undergo laminectomy and decompression of the L4-L5 spine on August 17th. She has contributed $100 towards her treatment but needs an additional $1,400 in support to cover the cost of surgery and related care. The surgery aims to relieve pressure on the nerves and help reduce her back and leg symptoms, allowing her to walk more comfortably and return to farming and her normal daily activities. Hem said, “I hope that this surgery will relieve my back and leg pain, improve the numbness and weakness in my left leg, and help me walk more comfortably again. I wish to return to farming, and continue my normal daily activities.”

Savoeun is a 64-year-old woman from Cambodia. She previously worked as a rice farmer and is now retired. She is married and has three sons, three daughters, and fifteen grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a retired farmer, and they are supported financially by their children. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the radio and listening to monks' prayers. For the past two years, Savoeun has been living with age-related cataracts. She developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 she is not able to go places on her own. When Savoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 8th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Savoeun said, "I hope that after cataract surgery, my vision will improve so that I can recognize my relatives more easily and go outside with greater confidence and independence."

Dorica is a 47-year-old woman from Malawi. She is married and has four children. She and her husband depend on small-scale farming as their primary source of livelihood. For three years, Dorica has been experiencing uncomfortable gynaecological symptoms that have affected her health, leading to severe anaemia requiring a blood transfusion. Due to her condition, she is currently unable to carry out her usual household responsibilities or participate in farming activities. Her husband has become her primary caregiver and has remained by her side throughout her illness. Dorica was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Dorica's surgery. On October 30th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. This treatment will address her symptoms and prevent other complications. Dorica shared, "My energy is completely drained due to my overwhelming symptoms that have brought more stress to my life; your support will bring comfort and revamp my life."