Lit is a 65-year-old vegetable seller from Phnom Penh. She is a widow with one daughter, four sons, and seven grandchildren. Since her husband passed away, she has lived with her oldest daughter, who is a food seller in front of a local clothing factory. At home, she helps her daughter with the house and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Lit 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. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly and can no longer go outside to sell her vegetables, recognize people, or even eat and drink properly. When Lit learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On October 8th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Lit said "I hope after surgery I will see better and can sell vegetables to support my family."

Maxwell is a farmer from Malawi. Maxwell hails from Lithipe Village of Traditional Authority Kaphuka. He lives with his mother, while his other siblings have left home for their respective marital homes. Every day, he goes about his daily chores, attending to his tomatoes and sugarcane. He prepares his harvest for the market, confident that he will make a reasonable amount of profit. On May 30th, Maxwell was involved in a hit-and-run accident at dusk. He was on his way home from visiting family in a nearby village. He had crossed the road and made it to the pedestrian’s lane when he was hit by a speeding vehicle. Witnesses confirm that the driver of the vehicle did not stop to check on Maxwell. Maxwell was brought to a nearby hospital where he received treatment for the cuts and bruises he sustained. As he also injured his leg, Maxwell was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further treatment. Doctors found that he fractured his right leg and needs an open reduction internal fixation surgical procedure was recommended. He is in pain and unable to walk due to the fracture. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On June 4th, Maxwell will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $636. This procedure will relieve him of the pain and help him walk easily again. Maxwell says,” I just want to be well again, for the sake of my family whom I worried about so much after the incident. I want them to be relieved that I am out of harm’s way completely.”

Jacob is a farmer from Malawi. Farming has always been his passion. Every one of his family members is an agricultural farmer. Farming has sustained Jacob's family for many years - putting food on their table, a roof over their head, and supporting the children’s education. In 2012, Jacob started experiencing acute urinary retention that was treated by catheterization. In 2019, he began to feel what he described as a blockage of the urinary tract, which was accompanied by pain. He was again catheterized, making it challenging to move around freely and work on this farm. Jacob was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia and recommended to undergo a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. The procedure is expected to alleviate the pain and discomfort that Jacob feels and reduce the risk of further complications. He will be able to go back to work on his farm and perform his daily tasks. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure scheduled for August 22nd. Jacob says, “I know that with this surgery, I will be better and have the strength to continue my farming business and peace of mind.”