Yet is a retired rice farmer from Kandal province, Cambodia. She is an 87-year-old widow; her husband, two sons, and one daughter died in the Khmer Rouge’s region. Now, she lives with her niece and her sister. Yet likes to listen to the monk pray on the radio. About one year ago, Yet 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 she is not able to go places on her own. When Yet learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 4th, 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. Yet said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can easily recognize relatives and go around, and I want to help my sister sell bananas."

Meseret is a brave 24-year-old woman from Ethiopia who is independent and works hard in the flower industry to make a living. Since she was two years old, she has lived with the effects of a serious burn accident. Because her family could only provide basic care at home when it happened, her scars have become very tight over the years. This tightness has pulled her skin so much that she can no longer move her arm or hand freely, making her daily manual labor much more difficult. Twenty-two years ago, as a young child, Meseret suffered a traumatic burn after falling into a fire. Due to a lack of immediate medical access at the time, the injury was managed exclusively with traditional home remedies rather than clinical hospital care. Working in the flower industry is physically demanding for Meseret. It requires constant reaching, careful sorting, and a steady hand needed to pluck petals or apply protective chemicals. For this young woman, the tightness in her skin is a major daily hurdle that affects her speed and physical comfort. Even though Meseret has struggled to move easily for a long time, she is incredibly determined. She consistently pushes herself to do extra work, hoping to show her supervisors that she is a hardworking staff member and to ensure her job is secure every single day. When Meseret learned about our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, she traveled for many hours to seek treatment. Fortunately, Meseret will receive treatment on March 19th. The surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore a natural range of motion, which will be a life-changing milestone, marking the first time since she was a toddler that her limb has moved without restriction. This change will allow Meseret to fulfill her duties in the flower field without the persistent physical strain caused by the contractures. For her, this surgery is the key to finally working with comfort and moving her body the way it was meant to move. Now, our medical partner is requesting $500 to fund this procedure. "I have lived so long with these struggles that I forgot what it feels like to be whole. I am so excited to finally do the things that used to be impossible for me. I want to work in the fields and move my arm freely, leaving behind the pain and the limits that have defined my life since I was a child," said Meseret.

Jeffrey is a single parent from the Philippines who supports his two children financially as they live with their mother. After being unemployed for three months, Jeffrey recently returned to work as a call center agent. As the main provider, his health condition has added to his family's struggles. Jeffrey was also diagnosed with high cholesterol, which he believes contributed to the growth of a lump, and has since been following his doctor's advice to change his diet. Jeffrey used to wind down during his free time by playing games online to relieve stress; however, he now works a night shift and must rest during the day. Jeffrey needs to undergo a surgical procedure called a parotidectomy to treat a mass. He will undergo this surgery on May 22nd through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines. To support his health and financial stability, Jeffrey is requesting assistance raising $635 to cover the remaining cost of his treatment. Jeffrey shared that this will allow his family to focus their limited resources on their daily needs. Jeffrey said, "This free surgery means so much to me and my family. It saves us from debt, lets us focus on our daily needs, and inspires me to one day give back and help others, just like how WATSI has helped me."