Reaksa is a hardworking barber from Takeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his parents and his sister, who works in a garment factory. His father is a truck driver, and his mother also works in a garment factory. In his free time, Reaksa enjoys listening to music and helping his parents with daily tasks around the home. In 2016, Reaksa fell down the stairs at his home, injuring his hip. Since then, he has suffered from ankylosis of the hip with severe flexion deformity, which makes it difficult for him to walk, sit, and maintain a normal posture. He also experiences back pain when sitting for long periods. After the accident, he was treated at a government hospital with medication, but his condition did not improve. He was referred to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), where doctors treated him with a cast. It initially relieved his pain and allowed him to walk without support. However, over time, his posture gradually worsened, and the hip deformity became more noticeable. On March 16th, Reaksa will undergo an uncemented hip replacement procedure on his left hip. Reaksa can contribute $100 for his treatment, and needs help to raise an additional $1,400 to cover surgery, a special prosthesis, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Reaksa shared, “My hip still makes it hard to sit and walk properly, and I worry about my posture getting worse. I hope the treatment at CSC will help me move more comfortably and live without pain.”

Jovitah is a 24-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. When she was three years old, Jovitah and her sister lost their father, leaving them under the care of their mother. Their mother worked tirelessly to ensure they grew up cared for, but sadly, she also passed away in 2008. Jovitah and her sister then went to live with their grandmother. Though Jovitah's grandmother raised them as best as she could, she was unable to support them to reach their desired level of education due to financial constraints. After leaving school, Jovitah got married at the age of 17. Presently, she and her husband engage in farming, mainly growing beans, maize, and potatoes for home consumption, and selling the surplus to generate some income for the family. The couple have one child enrolled in Primary 1. Jovitah got pregnant a second time, but unfortunately she and her husband lost their baby a few days after the birth. Jovitah is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jovitah undergo a C-Section on February 5th. This procedure will cost $252, and Jovitah needs your support. Jovitah says, “With your support, I look forward to a successful delivery with results of a healthy baby, hoping to continue with farming to sustain my family after a full recovery.”

Sah is a 76-year-old rice farmer from Kampong Chhnang province, Cambodia. She is a widow. She lives with her son and her two grandchildren. When she can, she likes to go to the mosque. About two years ago, Sah 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 clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling while walking, so she is unable to go places on her own. When Sah learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On March 3rd, 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. She can contribute $50, but needs help raising $213 more to fund her procedure and care. Sah said, "I hope that after the surgery, my vision will improve so I can see clearly, recognize people, and travel to distant places more easily."