Kan is a retired rice farmer from Kandal province. He is the proud father of two daughters and three sons, and his family now includes ten grandchildren. Unfortunately, he experienced the heart-wrenching loss of his wife to stomach cancer several years ago. Presently, he resides with his youngest daughter and her family, finding comfort in their company. Since retirement, he has nurtured his spiritual side by frequenting the local pagoda. Over the years, he has become a wise mentor to young monks who seek his guidance. Six years ago, Kan developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him difficulty with his vision. He says he feels like something is always in his eye. It now covers his pupil and he cannot recognize friends and family. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Kan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. Kan needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 2nd. Kan shared: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and stop irritation and I can read books and go to the pagoda by myself."

Wellen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of nine children: five boys and four girls. She is married and is the second born in a family of 12 children, but two of her siblings have passed on. Wellen studied up to elementary school, but she was unable to complete her schooling due to finances. She does small-scale farming together with her husband to care for their family. She carried nine previous healthy pregnancies up to term. The last two deliveries were done by C-section due to difficulties with labor. All her children are doing well, and some are in school. She is carrying her tenth pregnancy and attending antenatal care at our facility. She appeals for support as she does not have the finances to pay for the C-section. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Wellen undergo a C-Section on March 5th. This procedure will cost $241, and Wellen needs your support. Wellen says, "After the delivery, I hope to return to farming and with the capital from my yields, I'll be able to start a retail shop in the future."

Mike is a 29-year-old farmer from Malawi. He has one child, who is currently in nursery school. Mike sustained a lower leg fracture. He was rushed to Nkhoma Hospital, where after an assessment, he was scheduled for open reduction surgery. However, Mike cannot afford the cost of the surgery, which is the only remedy for repairing the fracture and alleviating Mike of the pain that prevents him from working and taking care of his family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $636 to fund his surgery, which is scheduled for February 27th, at Nkhoma Hospital. Mike said: “I hope to get treatment so that I can go back home to my family free of this condition.”