Nhem is a 77-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province. She is has been a widow for 40 years since her husband was killed by the Khmer Rouge. She lives with her daughter, who is also a farmer, and her three grandchildren. At home, she enjoys listening to the radio, especially when the monks pray, and she likes to visit the pagoda. For the last five months, Nhem's vision has been getting worse. She developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. In addition to being unable to travel to her favorite pagoda alone, she feels badly that she requires more assistance with daily tasks such as cooking and cleaning. When Nhem learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Nhem needs help raising $253 to fully fund this procedure. She said, "I hope that after the surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to see better. I want to help my daughter with the children and the housework, and I want to join the ceremonies and go to the pagoda without any trouble."

Dane is a studious fourth-grader. She and her family live in Banteay Meanchey province, where her parents sell spices at the local market. She has a 7-year-old sister in second grade. At school, she likes Khmer history, mathematics and likes reading books. She hopes to continue her education and be a teacher some day. Three years ago, Dane and her younger sister's hands and legs were burned from a gas explosion. Despite receiving burn care at a local pediatric hospital, numerous burn scars persist on her hands and her legs, especially on Dane's right fingers. This condition significantly hampers her overall hand function. She is unable to grasp objects and has one affected finger that is nonfunctional. The visible effects of her hand condition contribute to her feelings of embarrassment. She has difficulty writing and is shy in school. When Dane's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 30th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her fingers and hand more efficiently. Now, her family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Dane said: "I hope I can use my fingers after this operation, and can hold things better in school."

Sovan is a 73-year-old widow. She has two sons, four daughters, and 13 grandchildren. She lives in Phnom Penh province with her oldest daughter and her family. When she was younger, she wove and sold Khmer-designed cloth, but now she has retired and spends her days inside, helping with cooking or visiting her local pagoda to pray. A year ago, Sovan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing, blurry vision, and difficulty recognizing the faces of her family. She is most afraid that she will fall when crossing the dirt road near the house or taking the steps up to the pagoda. 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, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sovan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, doctors will perform 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 $253 procedure. Sovan shared, "I hope after surgery I can see and go outside to join ceremonies at the pagoda, do housework, and take care of myself."