Vuthy is a 55-year-old construction worker from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and three sons, who all earn their living working in local construction projects. About one year ago, Vuthy's right eye was injured when a piece of cement flew into it. Additionally, he developed a cataract in the same eye, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Vuthy has been experiencing hypersensitivity to light, tearing and discomfort. Because his vision is impaired, he is no longer able to work. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Vuthy receive treatment. On April 2nd, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in Vuthy's right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly, enabling him to return to work, and engage in his day-to-day activities. Now, Vuthy needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Vuthy says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to see more clearly and go back to work. I am worried that I cannot support my family if I am unable to work."

Samon is a retired grandmother. She is 67 years old and has two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest daughter, with both of them caring for Samon's aging husband. Now retired, Samon used to make and sell bottles of fish sauce in the local market. In her free time, she likes watching movies and going to the pagoda to pray. Around three years ago, Samon 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, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Samon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On March 7th, 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. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Samon shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, and I can drive my motorbike to bring my grandchildren to school."

Wishes is a 5-year-old who hails from a village in Lilongwe District. She is the last born in a family of 3 children and is a bright young student in primary school. Wishes’ parents depend on small-scale farming where they grow maize and groundnuts for their family to eat and for commercial purposes to support the family. Since she was born, Wishes has been experiencing a painful abdomen, vomiting, frequent diarrhea, and feeling weak. Her mother has been taking her to Nkhoma Hospital where she was advised to come back to meet a surgeon for assessment. Wishes was diagnosed with a periumbilical hernia, and she was scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital. However, her parents cannot afford the surgery although they hope to have their daughter undergo surgery. This condition has had a negative impact on Wishes’s life as she feels abdominal pain and cannot go to school when this happens, therefore, affecting her school performance. If the condition is left untreated, it may lead to strangulation which can be life-threatening. Wishes is scheduled for hernia repair surgery on February 13th. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $421 to fund surgery. After surgery, Wishes will be relived of pain and she will be able to attend school without any hindrances from the condition. Wishes’ mother says, “Thank you for this opportunity that has brought new hope to my daughter.”