Paong is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is a widow and has three daughters and three grandchildren. Now, she lives with her second daughter, who plants potatoes. She likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. About five months ago, Paong developed a cataract in her right 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 Paong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 28th, doctors will perform a small-incision 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 $263 procedure. Paong said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I want to be able to walk around, recognize my relatives, and go to the pagoda."

Anderson is 62 years old and a farmer from Malawi. He had hoped to spend his days tending his fields and enjoying the company of his wife and grandchild. Living in a village in Dedza District, Malawi, he and his wife have watched their six children grow up, marry, and build lives of their own. However, nine months ago, Anderson started experiencing troubling symptoms that affected his ability to farm and do his daily tasks. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. He started using a catheter and was given medications, but these only brought temporary relief. Physicians at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, determined that Anderson should undergo a prostatectomy, surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. For Anderson, the possibility of treatment has brought renewed hope. Yet the cost of surgery remains beyond what he and his family can afford. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Anderson is scheduled to undergo surgery on June 11th, and needs help raising $530 to fund this procedure. Once completed, it will hopefully improve Anderson's quality of life. More than anything, Anderson wants to regain his health, return to his farm, and once again provide for his household without the burden of constant illness. He says, “This condition has kept me away from my fields and changed my life. I hope that after treatment, I can get back on my feet and live freely again.”

Vincent is a seven-year-old student from Mali. About three weeks ago, he began experiencing swelling in his inguinal region, and a loss of appetite. Concerned, his parents brought him to our medical partner's care center, Centre de Santé de Référence (CSREF) Commune 6, for a medical review. At CSREF, Vincent underwent a clinical examination aided by ultrasound. He was diagnosed with a left inguino-scrotal hernia, a condition where abdominal tissue protrude through a weak spot in the abdominal wall and extends downwards. Fortunately, on October 13th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at CSREF. Our medical partner, Muso, is requesting $377 to fund Vincent's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. "Our wish is to see our son in good health," Vincent parent's said.