Hean is 67 years old and a rice farmer from Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. She is married and has five sons and four grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a farmer, and her youngest son. Three of her sons are farmers, while the other two work as steelworkers. In her free time, she enjoys listening to monks’ sermons and joining religious ceremonies. About one year ago, Hean 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 Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 2nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. She can contribute $10, but needs help raising $253 more to fund her procedure and care. Hean said, "I hope that after my eye surgery, my vision will improve so I can see more clearly, recognize my relatives easily, travel to distant places, and return to my rice farming without difficulty."

Eyu is a calm and sociable eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He is very talented in football and dreams of one day becoming a priest. He lives with his parents and his older brother in a rental house. His mother works as a teacher, while his father is currently unemployed. About six years ago, Eyu was unwell and when he was taken to hospital, he was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. His parents were advised that he needed surgery, but he needed to be a bit older. Recently, his parents once again took him to hospital and were placed on a waiting list for surgery. Shortly after, they received a referral call to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM). Eyu is receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 19th, and AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. If the condition is left untreated, Eyu has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Eyu's father says, "I thank God for the support we are getting for our son's surgery. I am also so happy to feel welcome at BKMCM. Please continue providing such high-quality care, you are truly the face of Christ in your service. Thank you, and God bless you all.”

Mariat is a two-year-old girl from Ethiopia. In a home filled with quiet worry, this young girl battles recurring tonsillitis, finding comfort only in the arms of the older brother she loves so dearly. Her mother is a homemaker, while her father is a nurse. Nine months ago, Mariat started to experience burning fevers and painful swallowing. The recurring illness has caused a painful cycle of fatigue, poor sleep, and a loss of appetite. Her loud snoring and restless nights leave the whole family drained. Managing her health has become a source of deep worry for her parents, who find it nearly impossible to cover the costs of her treatment on a single, limited salary. Mariat was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Mariat, which is scheduled to take place on January 24th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Mariat of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Mariat's parents shared, "Our family hopes this surgery will bring the lasting relief she deserves. We look forward to seeing her healthy and happy at last."