Som Oeun is a 56-year-old man from Cambodia. He sells coffee in front of a factory in Phnom Penh. He is married and has three sons and one grandchild. He lives with his wife, who sells groceries, and with his youngest son, who is a student. He likes to listen to the news on his small radio. About three years ago, Som Oeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. Som Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought treatment. On August 25th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Som Oeun shared, "I hope that after surgery, my eye can see better so I can go back to selling and I can drive the motorbike to go far places well and I don’t worry about my eyes anymore."

Paong is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a widow and has three daughters and three grandchildren. Now, she lives with her second daughter, who plants potatoes. She likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. About five months ago, Paong 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. 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 Paong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 28th, 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. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Paong said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I want to be able to walk around, recognize my relatives, and go to the pagoda."

Sophai is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampot Province with his parents, whom he helps care for and support. He divorced his wife five months ago and has one young son, who currently lives with his mother. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home. In March 2023, Sophai was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his right shin bone. After the accident, he went to a private clinic in Kampot Province, where doctors performed surgery to repair his right tibia fracture and implanted a metal plate and screws to stabilize the bone during healing. Although the fracture has healed, the metal plate and screws still cause occasional pain and discomfort in his right leg, especially when he performs heavy physical work such as farming. The discomfort affects his ability to work comfortably and complete daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On August 4th, Sophai will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will remove the metal plate and screws from his healed right tibia, helping relieve discomfort and allowing him to move and work more comfortably. His family can contribute $25, but needs help to raise $353 more to fund his procedure and care. Sophai said, “I hope removing the metal plate and screws will relieve the discomfort in my leg so I can return to farming and carry out my daily work more comfortably.”