Sarom is a 55-year-old man from Cambodia. He works as a cleaner in a hotel. He and his wife have one daughter. In his free time, he enjoys running for exercise and sometimes participates in marathons. Sarom developed a cataract in both eyes, causing him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. Sarom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On March 5th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $293 procedure. Sarom said, "I hope that after surgery, my eyesight will improve so I can see clearly, continue working comfortably, and no longer worry about my eye condition."

Yong is an 85-year-old woman from Kampong Thom province. She is a retired rice farmer who has three sons, three daughters, and eleven grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is retired, and her eldest daughter, who is also a retired farmer. Her favorite hobbies are attending ceremonies and visiting the pagoda. About one year ago, Yong 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 is not able to go places on her own. When Yong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 6th, doctors will perform a small incision 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. Yong said, "I hope that after my surgery, my vision will improve so that I can easily recognize my relatives and go out independently. I also hope I will no longer have to worry about my eyesight."

Yonatan is a lively six-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He lives in a close-knit family of four. Yonatan is growing up alongside his brother in a home filled with love, supported by his hardworking father, who drives a taxi, and his caring mother, who stays home to look after the boys. While Yonatan's father spends long, tiring hours on the road to provide for everyone, the boy’s happy childhood has been interrupted by a difficult health battle. Because of chronic tonsillitis, he is stuck in a stressful loop of recurring pain and constant trips to the hospital, which keep him away from the fun and games he loves. Two years ago, Yonatan had been experiencing fever, recurring sore throats, and difficulty swallowing. Because his high fevers and sharp throat pain kept coming back, even the simplest parts of his day have become incredibly hard. Sitting down for a family dinner is no longer fun. Instead, every bite of food is a painful struggle that leaves Yonatan exhausted. Even at night, when he should be resting, the discomfort keeps him awake and tossing and turning. This constant battle leaves Yonatan feeling so weak and drained that he just can’t find the strength to run, jump, or keep up with his brother like he used to. Yonatan was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Fortunately, our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is able to help. They are requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Yonatan, which is scheduled to take place on March 4th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Yonatan of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. "In our home, we are all counting down the days until Yonatan feels like himself again. What we are most excited about is seeing him enjoy his favorite snacks without that sharp, burning pain every time he tries to swallow. We miss seeing Yonatan full of life, and we can’t wait for him to finally have the strength to run around and keep up with his brother during playtime. For our family, seeing him healthy and active again will be the greatest gift of all," said Yonatan's parents.