Yoeun is a 69-year-old rice farmer. She has two younger sisters and is not married. Yoeun lives alone, but a niece lives close to her and supports her. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio or visiting family members. One year ago, Yoeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. 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 Yoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 18th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help raising $253 to fund her procedure and care. Yoeun shared, "I hope after surgery I will see better and be more independent, so I can take care of myself and not rely on others."

Sun is a 60-year-old grandmother from Phnom Penh. She is married with one daughter, two sons, and eight grandchildren. Sun and her husband have recently moved to Phnom Penh to live with one of their sons, who works in a nearby garment factory. Before moving to the city, Sun and her husband were farmers living in a rural area. Her hobbies are cooking and listening to monks chanting on the local radio station. About eight years ago, Sun developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The abnormal growth of cells over the pupil causes Sun to have difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for an hour seeking treatment. Sun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva growth from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 30th. She said, "I hope after surgery my eye stops hurting, and I can take care of my grandchildren."

Emmanuel, who is 19 years old, is the third born in a family of five children. He lives in Kansau village in Kenya. While Emmanuel was healthy at birth, when he was four or five years old, he began to experience convulsions. His parents brought him to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was diagnosed with hemiplegic CP, a condition where the brain has been impacted and results in the paralysis of one side of the body. In addition, Emmanuel has clubfoot of his left foot, which makes it difficult for him to wear shoes and to walk easily. Fortunately, Emmanuel traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Emmanuel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk more easily, and to resume his vocational studies classes at Machakos School, which he so enjoys. Emmanuel said: “I would love to see my foot corrected so that I can continue with my studies and start my business in the future.”