Vuthy is a 55-year-old construction worker from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and three sons, who all earn their living working in local construction projects. About one year ago, Vuthy's right eye was injured when a piece of cement flew into it. Additionally, he developed a cataract in the same eye, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Vuthy has been experiencing hypersensitivity to light, tearing and discomfort. Because his vision is impaired, he is no longer able to work. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Vuthy receive treatment. On April 2nd, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in Vuthy's right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly, enabling him to return to work, and engage in his day-to-day activities. Now, Vuthy needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Vuthy says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to see more clearly and go back to work. I am worried that I cannot support my family if I am unable to work."

Linn is a 29-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his siblings and works at a store with his younger brother. In his leisure time, Linn enjoys expanding his knowledge through internet-based learning. Linn has been experiencing persistent back and chest pain, affecting his ability to perform daily tasks. After an ultrasound and x-ray, doctors diagnosed him with large renal stones and recommended the need for surgery. For the doctors to formulate an appropriate treatment plan, they want Linn to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which X-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. Our medical partner, Burma Children's Medical Fund (BCMF), requests $469 to cover the cost of Linn's CT scan and care, scheduled for March 4th. Lin said, "I am grateful for the opportunity to receive support from BCMF. Without their assistance and the generosity of donors, I would be unable to afford the necessary treatment."

Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’