Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

65-year-old Masitala is has spent most of his life working the land in Dedza District in Malawi. A husband and father of seven children, six of whom now have families of their own, he has always relied on farming maize and soya beans to provide for his household. Eight months ago, the simple life he values began to change. Masitala started experiencing difficulty passing urine. As the condition worsened, he found himself making repeated visits to health facilities, where he received medication and catheterisation to manage the symptoms. While these measures brought temporary relief, they did not solve the underlying problem. Month after month, he continued living with discomfort, uncertainty, and the inconvenience of relying on a catheter. The condition made it harder for him to focus on farming and the daily responsibilities that help sustain his family. After several hospital visits, clinicians advised him to seek treatment at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he could access surgical care. Determined to find a lasting solution, Masitala made the journey despite having very little money. Unable to afford transportation, he walked for nearly three hours to reach the hospital. At Nkhoma Hospital, doctors diagnosed him with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and advised that he requires an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function and improve his quality of life. For Masitala, the diagnosis brought hope but also worry. The surgery he needs is beyond what he can afford. Like many small-scale farmers, his income depends on the harvest, and the resources available to him are barely enough to meet his family's basic needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund the procedure for Masitala. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on June 3rd and, once completed, it will hopefully improve his quality of life. Masitala hopes that surgery will free him from months of discomfort and allow him to return to the fields, care for his family, and enjoy life without the burden of illness. He says, “I have endured this condition for many months because I had no other choice. I walked all the way to the hospital because I believed there would be help for me here. My wish is to get treated, and return to my family healthy and able to work again.”

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."