Mai is a 27-year-old farmer from Cambodia who works with his wife in the fields during the rainy season. During the dry season, they move to the city for other work, where Mai installs billboards while his wife works in a factory. They have been married for five years and have one daughter. Their daughter stays behind in the province, where her grandparents take care of her. When he is not working, Mai likes cooking and watching movies. Earlier this month, Mai was injured in an accident that caused an electric burn on his head. He went to a provincial hospital to receive treatment, but the wound became infected. He now experiences pain, swelling, and pus discharge from the wound. When Mai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for seven hours to seek treatment. On July 13th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, CSC is requesting $273 to fund his procedure. Mai shares, "I hope that my head can heal quickly, and that the pain can go away so that I can work in comfort."

Duncan is a 28 year old man who is currently single and unable to work due to his condition. Duncan experienced trauma in early 2010 after a road traffic accident that caused spine injury and hearing loss. At the time of the accident, Duncan had a loss of consciousness, memory loss, and was even paraplegic at one point. He also had tinnitus in his right ear but with earlier support from Watsi donors, he got a hearing aid fitted and can now communicate well. Duncan now walks on a crutch, however, his pain worsens with movement, and radiates to his lower limbs. Because of his condition, Duncan has been in and out of hospitals. He is supposed to visit the hospital regularly. For convenience, he currently lives with his relatives nearby in Nairobi. His parents are elderly farmers in his ancestral home in Kisii in rural Kenya. Duncan is currently struggling to walk. An MRI exam identified canal stenosis and bone degeneration, so doctors have recommended surgery. He is scheduled for L4/5, L5/S1 Decompression, and Spine Fusion to avert chances of being immobile for the rest of his life. The hospital is requesting $1,500 to perform his surgery and his health insurance coverage will not cover this care. He currently relies on well-wishers to pay for his medical bills. Duncan told us, “I cannot walk well without support. I am also in pain and very uncomfortable. I hope to get better soon.”

Thoeun is a 59-year-old farmer who together with her husband has two daughters, three sons, and many grandchildren. All of her children work as farmers. Due to her vision, she does not work in the rice fields anymore. At home, she likes to listen to the news and the monks praying on the radio. One year ago, Thoeun developed a cataract in her right eye causing her difficulty seeing in bright or low lighting and occasional tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Thoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 16th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification 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 $229 procedure. Thoeun shared, "I hope I can see clearly again, I want to go back to helping my husband in the field and planting vegetables to sell."