Sarith is a 64-year-old construction worker from Kampong Thom province. He is married and has three sons and two daughters. In his free time, he likes to watch the news on this phone. About one year ago, Sarith developed a cataract in his right eye, causing his 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on her own. When Sarith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 2nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $15, but needs help raising $248 more to fund his procedure and care. Sarith said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see clearly, I can go back to working, and I can recognize and go far well, and I won’t worry about my eyes anymore."

Elile is a three-year-old girl from Ethiopia. This bright young girl lives in a home dedicated to helping others, with a physician for a father and a teacher for a mother. Despite their medical and educational expertise, the family faces a tiring cycle of hospital visits that places a heavy logistical burden on parents working as dedicated government staff members. For one year now, Ellie has been experiencing chronic tonsillitis, causing fever and difficulty eating. This drains her energy and makes it difficult for her to obtain the necessary nutrition to thrive. If not treated, it will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Elile, which is scheduled to take place on April 25th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Elile of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Ellie's parents said, "We hope to leave the constant anxiety of illness behind. We look forward to a time when we can focus on work, while Ellie can simply focus on being a healthy and active child."

Josephy is a 76-year-old farmer from Malawi. He has spent most of his life working the land and continues to tend to his crops through small-scale irrigation farming. With his nine children all grown and living on their own, he spends his quieter days with his wife and grandchildren. For the past two months, Josephy has been living with an inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. The hernia has grown and begun to cause severe pain that spreads through his pelvis and down his right leg, slowing him down and keeping him from the farming work he loves. Fortunately, on May 7th, Josephy will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Josephy is contributing to his treatment, but needs help in raising $500 more to fund the surgery. He says, “I am used to working with my hands and taking care of my home. This pain has made me feel weak and unable to do what I love. If I can have this surgery, I believe I will be able to go back to my life again. I am asking for support so I can be well.”