Yadesa is an 80-year-old man from Ethiopia. He is a retired merchant who spent his life working hard and building an independent life. Since the deeply sad loss of his beloved wife, he has found comfort and support by moving in with one of his two brothers. One year ago, Yadesa developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and burning sensation. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. For a man who spent his whole life actively connecting with the world through buying and selling, this slow darkening of his sight is truly heartbreaking. It has made it incredibly hard for him to talk and spend time with his loved ones, enjoy the world around him, and hold onto the dignity and independence that have always defined who he is. Fortunately, Yadesa is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Yadesa shared, "I hope to regain the independence I so deeply miss, allowing me to navigate my home and enjoy the company of my brother with newfound ease and confidence."

Suong is a 54-year-old woman from Cambodia. She works as a rice farmer and also does labor work planting crops. She is married and has four sons, one daughter, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is a farmer, and her youngest daughter, who is a student. In her free time, she enjoys watching the news on her phone. For three years now, Suong has had age-related cataract in her right eye. This causes 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 Suong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On September 2nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Suong shared, "I hope that after the surgery, my vision will improve so that I can see more clearly and easily. I would like to return to growing rice and working in the fields without difficulty. After surgery, I know I will feel happy and no longer worry about my eyesight."

Hai is a 73-year-old man from Cambodia. He works in a rice mill. He is divorced and has two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. He lives with his daughter, who works in a garment factory. During his free time, he likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Hai developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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 his own. When Hai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Hai said, "When I can see better again, I want to go to the pagoda, walk around my home, and take care of myself."