Vanny is a 62-year-old woman from Cambodia. She doesn't have any children and is a widow; her husband passed away about 20 years ago from meningitis. She previously sold Khmer desserts on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Now, Vanny enjoys going to the pagoda in her free time. About two years ago, due to her age, Vanny developed a cataract in her right eye. This has been causing her sensitivity to light, 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. Vanny is worried about falling when walking, and she is not able to go places on her own. When Vanny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour to seek treatment. Fortunately, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye on March 9th. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, our medical partner is requesting $263 to help fund Vanny's procedure. Vanny said, "I hope that after surgery my vision will improve so I can return to making and selling Khmer desserts, travel to farther places, and recognize my relatives more clearly."

Hong is an 18-year-old truck driver from Prey Veng Province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, and has one older brother who works as a truck driver. He enjoys playing volleyball with his friends in his free time, and is active in his village community. In May 2024, Hong was involved in a traffic accident that caused a fracture in his lower right leg. Doctors performed open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure and implanted a plate and screws in his leg. Since the surgery, he has experienced occasional pain and discomfort in his right leg, especially when walking or doing daily activities. This has affected his comfort and mobility, particularly during work and movement. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 18th, Hong will undergo a hardware removal procedure to help reduce pain and discomfort, improve mobility, and allow him to walk more comfortably and return to his normal daily and working activities. Hong is contributing to his treatment, but needs to raise $328 more for his procedure. He says: “I hope that removing the plate and screws will help reduce my pain, make walking easier, and allow me to move more comfortably in my daily life.”

Boxter is a farmer from Malawi. He is a husband and father of three from Dzungu village in Dowa District. He grows maize, tomatoes, and other crops to support his family. Three years ago, Boxter started experiencing urinary retention. It is a condition he chose to keep to himself, not sharing it even with those closest to him. Despite the discomfort, he continued working and providing for his family, doing his best to manage the situation quietly. Recently, he came to Nkhoma Hospital and waited in the surgical clinic to be seen. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doctors explained that he needs a surgery, known as TURP, to relieve his condition and restore normal function. While this gave him a clear solution, it also brought worry. Boxter began making phone calls to family members, hoping they could help him raise the money for surgery. In the end, they were only able to gather a little, which is not enough to cover the full cost. He was advised to return home and wait until more funds could be found. Still in need and uncertain of what to do next, Boxter was referred to the SAFE Program for consideration. This has given him a chance to be heard and a renewed sense of hope. He now looks forward to the possibility of receiving treatment and returning to his normal life without the burden he has carried in silence for so long. Physicians at Nkhoma Hospital determined that Boxter should undergo a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on April 29th. Once completed, it will hopefully improve Boxter's quality of life. Boxter said, “I have stayed with this problem for a long time without telling anyone. I was afraid and did not know how I would manage it. Now that I have a chance to be treated, I am hoping for support. I want to be well again and live without this condition.”