Vun is a 64 year-old loving grandmother. She lives in Prey Veng province with her husband. Both of them are retired rice farmers and their four children help support them by working in factories. Vun loves spending time with her eleven grandchildren and volunteering at the local temple. About five months ago, Vun 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 clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Vun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 4th, doctors will perform a 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 and be able to recognize my grandchildren."

Blandina is a mother of five children. She and her husband farm together. Blandina likes singing and enjoys eating maize porridge with fish and rice with milk. Blandina noticed some swelling on her neck, causing her bouts of pain. During her visit at Partners in Hope Medical Center, she was diagnosed with Euthyroid Multinodular Goiter and was told she needed a thyroidectomy, a procedure where surgeons will remove part or all of her thyroid to help address pain and difficulty breathing. Blandina is scheduled for surgery on February 27th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,015 for the procedure. Blandina said, "The surgical operation will help me go back home and rejoin my family and community and continue enjoying life."

Ange Signoline is a 42-year-old woman from Burundi. She is currently at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya, where she is seeking medical treatment for an internal ear infection affecting both ears. Ange Signoline's first visit to AIC Kijabe Hospital was in September 2023, when the hospital was recommended by a friend who lives in Nairobi, Kenya. She received treatment at the time, but the infection has recurred and she has recently been straining to pick voices. She came back to hospital where an otoscopy was done, and she was diagnosed with chronic sclerosing otitis externa - her ears are infected, there is a narrowing of the canal on the distal end, and there is also some pooling of fluid on the constricted segments. A surgical procedure has been scheduled for Ange Signoline, that will widen the ear canal and reconstruct the ear with a skin graft. The goal is a safe, ear infection-free state. However, Ange Signoline is unable to afford the surgery, having exhausted all the support she has received from friends. Her husband does not hold a stable job. She is worried about traveling back home to Burundi without receiving the care that she needs, and is requesting for treatment support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ange Signoline receive treatment. On April 19th, surgeons at AIC Kijabe will perform an otologic surgery to treat her condition. Now, Ange Sogline needs help to fund this $621 procedure. Ange Signoline says, "I came all the way from Burundi to seek care for my blocked ear canal. Please help me receive treatment so I can prevent hearing loss.”