Savoeun is a loving 68-year-old grandmother who lives in Kandal province. She is a widow; sadly her husband passed away many years back during the Khmer Rouge regime. She has two sons, four daughters, and seven grandchildren who keep her busy. Currently, she lives with her oldest daughter who is a vegetable seller. At home, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and joining ceremonies at the pagoda. Two years ago, Savoeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She shared that it feels like she has a milky film in her eye all the time. 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 Savoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On December 1st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Savoeun says, "I am really hoping that I will see better and can help my daughter to sell vegetables in front of our house."

Chantha is a bright 9-year-old student. He is currently in grade two in a public school and has two brothers and two sisters. His parents are both construction workers. At home, he likes to read and play football with his friends. Eight months ago, Chantha had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Chantha experiences serosanguinous discharge and pain in his left ear. His hearing has deteriorated, which makes it difficult for him to stay involved in conversations. Chantha's parents bought eardrops from the pharmacy, but could not afford to take him to a clinic. He cannot communicate clearly with others and doesn't want to attend school because he feels ashamed he doesn't understand the teacher. Chantha's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 19th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chantha's mother said: "I hope that my son's hearing will improve after the operation and he will not suffer from more ear infections."

Budensiano is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She has six children who are all grown up with families of their own. Budensiano shared that her husband passed away twenty years ago and left her with their home, which is near our medical partner’s hospital. Currently, Budensiano cannot continue her work as a farmer due to aging and her medical condition. Over thirty years ago, Budensiano began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. Although the swelling was initially small and painless, it increased over time. Recently, Budensiano began experiencing worrisome challenges, such as airway obstruction and difficulty eating. She can no longer work or easily climb the hill nearby. She visited our medical partner’s hospital, where the doctors conducted some tests. Upon review, Budensiano’s condition was diagnosed as a non-toxic nodular goiter. If left untreated, there is a risk it will become cancerous or completely inhibit her ability to eat. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Budensiano receive treatment. On October 15th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, in which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $333 to fund this procedure. Budensiano shared, “I have hope again that I can live the remaining part of my life in a normal condition through surgery. I pray for a successful surgery so that I can once more be able to take good care of myself.”