Phai is a 60-year-old rice farmer who lives in Kampong Cham with his wife. Their five children and grandchildren live nearby and visit often. In his free time, Phai likes spending time with his grandchildren, studying Buddhism, and watching the local news. Around three months ago, Phai developed a cataract in his right eye, which caused him discomfort, blurred vision, and watery eyes. He has been unable to work for long periods due to vision loss. A cataract clouded the eye's lens, like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places alone. When Phai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 6th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He said, "I want to go places alone and not feel afraid. When my vision improves, I can work more and help care for my family."

Chit is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. Her family moved to Thailand when her village was burned down. She lives with her mother, her twin sister, and her brother. Chit's mother works at home and looks after the children. Her brother runs a barber shop and her father is a monk who lives in the monastery in the village. Chit's brother's income supports their family. When Chit turned two years old, her mother noticed that whenever she tried to look at something, like pictures, she stared at them very closely. Last year, Chit had a check-up at a clinic and was told that her both eyes have cataracts so even when wearing eyeglasses, she is unable to see clearly. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Chit. On April 4th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Chit's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Chit said, “I am sad when I don’t see clearly because I can’t go to school without help from my family, I cannot study and play with my friends.” Chit's brother added, “I worry for her how she will live with her current condition when I don’t stay near her, but now when I know that she has donors to support her treatment at Chiang Mai, I am relieved.”

Theam is a 52-year-old mother of two from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal province with her husband, who works in construction, and her two daughters, one of whom is married, and the other who is at school in Grade 11. Theam sells noodles near the local market and also raises chickens so she can sell eggs at the markets. Eleven years ago, Theam was in a motorbike accident and lost consciousness. Since that time, she has suffered from ear infections from a perforated ear drum, and she has regular discharge from her left ear. As a result, Theam experiences ear pain, ringing in the ears, and headaches, including chronic drainage from her ear. It is difficult for her to sleep, and her hearing suffers. Theam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 15th, she will undergo a procedure to repair the hole in her left ear. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Theam's husband said: "We really hope for this treatment so Theam will have a healthy ear, stop ear discharge or infection, and can improve hearing as well."