John is a 73-year-old farmer from Malawi. He and his wife have six children. They live with their four grandchildren. In May 2023, John started experiencing frequent urination and acute urinary retention. John was catheterized, which helped alleviate his symptoms. However, in March 2024, his illness resurfaced with worse symptoms. John was catheterized again, but the pain caused him sleepless nights. John was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and was recommended for a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure that will take place on August 29th. Once completed, it will relive him of discomfort and pain, and improve his quality of life. John says, “The surgery will enable me to regain my strength so I can continue farming.”

Mich is a grandmother from Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. She is 63 years old, and she and her husband have two daughters, two sons, and one grandchild. Her husband was a rice farmer, but he can no longer work in the fields, so their children support them financially. Mich occasionally makes Khmer cakes to sell from a mobile cart in their village for supplemental income. At home, she enjoys listening to Buddhist monks pray on the radio. About three years ago, Mich developed a cataract in her right 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. Mich often spends time alone at home because she is unable to go outside in the bright sun. 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 Mich learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On August 9th, 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 and regain her independence. Mich's family is able to contribute $100 for her medical care but needs help to raise $153 more for the procedure. Mich said: "After surgery, I hope to see better, go outside, and cook for my grandchild."

Bae is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and son in a refugee camp. His wife is retired while his son is unemployed. Bae works as a vendor selling boiled corn in the refugee camp. He also grows vegetables in their garden for their own consumption. Bae enjoys reading in his free time. One year ago, Bae was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, causing him severe pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on May 3rd, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sariang Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,486 to fund Bae's surgery. The procedure will, hopefully, allow him to live more comfortably. Bae said, “I hope that the operation will go well, that I can be discharged in a few days and go back to the refugee camp, returning to my life as usual.”