Seang Hai is an 11-year-old monk from Cambodia. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother is a garment factory worker. He has an older brother, who is 17 years old, and a younger sister, who is 6 years old. Seang Hai is currently studying in Grade 4, where his favorite subject is mathematics. In his free time, he enjoys learning dharma. His favorite meal is fried pork, and he dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. When Seang Hai was around one year old, he was accidentally burned by hot water, which affected the 3rd and 4th fingers of his left hand and the 3rd finger of his right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his fingers. As a result, he has difficulty grasping objects and experiences mild pain during hand movements, limiting his daily activities. When Seang Hai's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release the contractures, improve movement and strength in his hands, reduce pain, and allow him to hold and use objects more easily in his daily life. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Seang Hai's mother shared, “I hope after the surgery, he will be able to use his hands freely again, without pain, and live a happier life.”

Medekse is a mother of five from Ethiopia. She is a widow and lives in a busy home with her five grown children—her two sons and three daughters. They all live together so they can take turns looking after her, cooking her meals, and making sure she is safe. Four years ago, Medekse developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her reduced vision and cloudy vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, blurring vision. Because she cannot see well, simple tasks and moving around her own home have become very difficult. For a woman who spent her life being independent, it is hard to accept that she now must rely on her children for daily help. She is currently trying her best to adapt, searching for a balance between her desire to do things on her own and her need for her family's support. Fortunately, on July 15th, Medekse is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Medekse shared, "I hope to spend my later years moving around easily, seeing clearly, and living comfortably." After a lifetime of leading and caring for her family, she has earned the right to keep her independence and live on her own terms.

Sarith is a 64-year-old construction worker from Kampong Thom province. He is married and has three sons and two daughters. In his free time, he likes to watch the news on this phone. About one year ago, Sarith developed a cataract in his right eye, causing his 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on her own. When Sarith learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On April 2nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $15, but needs help raising $248 more to fund his procedure and care. Sarith said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see clearly, I can go back to working, and I can recognize and go far well, and I won’t worry about my eyes anymore."