Yuon is a retired rice farmer and loving grandmother from Kandal province, Cambodia. Recently widowed, she moved in with her daughter and helps care for her grandchild. Her daughter and son-in-law work as rice farmers. Yuon and her daughter dream of purchasing a street cart to start making and selling traditional Cambodian cakes. In her free time, she likes cooking and praying at the nearby pagoda. About two years ago, Yuon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision and fear of walking up and down steps in her traditional raised village house. 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 is not able to go places on her own. When Yuon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 3rd, 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 $253 procedure. Yuon shared, "After I have surgery, I dream of a better vision. With renewed sight, I would feel safer walking around and crossing the road. I would like to take better care of my grandchild and open a business with my daughter for extra money."

Allen is a 25-year-old mother from Uganda. Allen enjoys cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her family. She farms for a living but due to limited land, most of her crop is used to feed the family. If there is a surplus, she can sell them to generate income for the family. Allen came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), complaining of a swelling on her left thigh. For two years, Allen has found it uncomfortable to walk and the swollen area is painful upon touch. She experiences paralysis whenever she sits or stands for long. At AMH, Allen was examined and diagnosed with a neurofibroma, a type of peripheral nerve tumor. It was recommended that the neurofibroma be excised. On March 12th, surgeons will remove the mass and Allen needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Allen says, “I’ve been in pain for the past two years but am hopeful that with your support, I will be operated on and will get better.”

Edina, a 41-year-old mother of seven, works as a vegetable seller, earning about $2.97 per day for her family's upkeep. She finds joy interacting with her customers and has a fondness for chicken and nsima, a Malawian staple porridge made from maize flour. Four years ago, Edina discovered a small, painless swelling on the right side of her neck. After seeking medical advice at a nearby hospital, she was diagnosed with goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She was instructed to wait for an opportunity for surgery, but her condition has worsened, causing breathlessness, neck pain, and difficulty lifting heavy objects. This has affected her work capacity and resulted in a decrease in income. Inspired by a fellow community member's journey to seek help, Edina visited our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Centre, where a surgeon reconfirmed the need for a thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Faced with financial hardships, Edina is seeking support for her surgery treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edina receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to relieve her symptoms and help her resume her vegetable business at full capacity. Now, Edina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Edina says, “I feel so fortunate to get the opportunity for support. Thank you so much, I believe surgery will help me get back to normal life."