Hab is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. She has four sons, three daughters and ten grandchildren. She lives with her retired husband and her youngest daughter, who is a tailor. At home, she enjoys visiting her local pagoda and cooking for her grandchildren. About two years ago, Hab developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, a cloudy lens, and light sensitivity. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Hab learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On December 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Had said: "I hope my vision improves and I can get around easily by myself. I want to be able help my daughter to do house work, and to cook for her and my grandchildren."

Kheng is a 59-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. Her husband passed away many years ago. She has two sons, five daughters, and many grandchildren. At home, Kheng enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and playing with her grandchildren. A year ago, Kheng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Kheng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 15th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Kheng shared: "After surgery, I hope I can see well, go outside, and recognize the faces of my grandchildren."

Kaptuya is a widow and a happy mother of three sons and a daughter from the semi-arid area of Baringo County in Kenya. Her husband passed away some years back after a short illness. Kaptuya and her children live in a semi-permanent three room house on her late husband's piece of land in an area well known for insecurity and cattle rustling. During the rainy season, they plant maize and millet that sometimes yields enough for both her school-aged children, and for her to sell. Currently, the area is faced with drought and famine, so they depend on relief food from the government and from well-wishers due to the lack of rain experienced this year. Six months ago, Kaptuya applied for a job as a housekeeper at a nearby health center. She was happy knowing that she would earn some money, and that the facility would pay for her medical coverage, but unfortunately that did not happen. The salary was also inconsistent and, thus, unreliable. In 2013, when Kaptuya was expecting her last born, she developed a growth at her neck which gradually increased in size. Kaptuya began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling, which is most visible on the right side. She currently experiences shortness of breath, especially at night, and she sleeps with difficulty. She also has a fast heart rate, and easily gets tired, which affects her daily duties. She was diagnosed with non-toxic goiter, or an irregular growth of the thyroid. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Kaptuya receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 22nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $936, and she and her family need help raising money. Kaptuya says, “I am the only hope for my dear children. I live because of them, and my well-being keeps them going. I would like to get well so that I may continue working in order to support them to pursue their dreams. Please assist me.”