Robert is a confident, straight-to-the-point 60-year-old man from Uganda. He is Mukiga by tribe, residing in a three-roomed, mud and reeds, traditional home in Southwestern Uganda. He and his wife have one child, a son who works as a primary school teacher. Growing up, Robert's hope was to become a doctor. However, challenges such as school fees prevented him from studying extensively. He and his wife farm on a small banana and coffee farm to sustain their livelihood, and he weeds the farm in his free time. For two years ago, Robert has had left inguinal hernia. This condition causes him to experience pain and discomfort when he walks long distances, works in the fields for an extended period, coughs or laughs aloud, or lifts heavy objects. Due to limited finances, Robert had not attempted to seek medical attention before; however, when his symptoms became severe, he visited our medical partner's hospital. Fortunately, on December 28th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at their care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $230 to fund Robert's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Robert said, "I will get well and will be able to resume farming in good health if I get support to undergo my surgery."

Nom is a 64-year-old widow. She is a retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province, living with a daughter since her husband passed away ten years ago. She has two daughters from her long marriage to her husband - one is a rice farmer, one works in construction, and they have given her five beautiful grandchildren. At home most of the day, she likes to listen to the monks chant on the radio, or visit the local Buddhist centre. Five years ago, Nom developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and difficulty keeping her balance. 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 is not able to go places on her own. When Nom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform small incision 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. She shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better. I want to help my daughter take care of my grandchildren and do housework to help her."

Thein is a seven-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her mother and grandfather and is currently a first-grade student. Her father works as a driver at a toy factory in Bangkok and Thein’s mother stays home to care for her. The family relies on her father’s income, which is enough to cover their daily expenses. They are able to pay for basic healthcare, but they cannot afford expensive treatment costs. During her free time, Thein enjoys helping her mother with household chores. Currently, Thein faces difficulty seeing objects clearly, requiring the use of thick eyeglasses. Additionally, she must sit in the front row of the classroom, near the blackboard, to follow her teachers’ lesson. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Thein. On February 16th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Thein's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she and her family need help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Thein’s mother said, “Thank you [BCMF and donors] for helping my daughter to get a good and clear vision. I pray for the donors to have wealthy lives and continue helping others.” Thein also said, “I want to be a teacher when I grow up and thanks for your help.”