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."

Youen is an 80-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a widow, as her husband died during the Khmer Rouge. She has two sons, two daughters, and 15 grandchildren. She lives with her second daughter, who is a rice farmer. Yoeun likes to listen to monks' spiritual education over the radio. About one year ago, Youen developed a cataract in her left 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 Youen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 14th, doctors will perform a small-incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Her family can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to help fund her procedure and care. Youen said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I hope to easily recognize people and move more comfortably."

Garoma is a farmer from Ethiopia. This 70-year-old farmer has worked the land all his life alongside his wife, who farms with him. Together they raised eight children, four sons and four daughters. He lives in a rural area with two of his children and his grandchildren, and he still farms to feed the family and pay his grandchildren's school fees. For more than thirteen years he has lived with an enlarged prostate, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Three years ago his symptoms became much worse. He went to the nearest health centre, but there was no surgeon there who could operate, so he was sent home to cope as best he could. His condition has now grown serious. He travelled to the city, where his eldest daughter lives, to find proper care. Doctors there confirmed the diagnosis and told him he needs surgery, but his family cannot afford it. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $900 to fund the procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 29th and, once completed, will improve Garoma's quality of life. Garoma shared, "I just want to live without this pain and discomfort, and without the shame I carry every day."