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."

Loel is a father of two from the Philippines. He worked as a construction worker and did minor house repairs. However, due to his condition, he had to stop working. He depends on his wife's income as a house helper for their daily needs. Nine years ago, Loel began to experience troubling symptoms causing pain, discomfort, and bleeding. He was diagnosed with mixed hemorrhoids. As his condition was left untreated, it worsened. Loel requires surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Loel receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on April 27th. During this procedure, surgeons will remove his hemorrhoids. A portion of the cost of his treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,285 to cover the cost of Loel's procedure and care. Loel shared, "Thank you very much for your help. Considering my income, I will never be able to afford the surgery that I need so I am very grateful that there are people and organizations who are willing to help people like us."

Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’