Maurine is a 36-year-old widowed mother of two children. In 2022, she experienced a sudden and unexpected change that would alter her life. Without warning, she lost the ability to hear. At first, Maurine struggled to understand what was happening. Simple conversations became difficult, and communicating with her children was no longer easy. She could not hear when they spoke to her, and responding to their needs became increasingly challenging. In December 2022, she went to AIC Kijabe Hospital for a medical review. After assessment, the doctors recommended hearing aids to help her regain the ability to hear and communicate. A well-wisher paid for one hearing aid, which made communication easier, including with her children. Sadly, in 2025, the hearing aid stopped working. Gradually, Maurine began withdrawing from those close to her. She works as a house help, but her hearing loss also began to affect her ability to earn a living. In January this year, she returned to the hospital, where she was advised to obtain new hearing aids, but the cost was far beyond what she could afford. Still hoping for a solution, she returned to hospital in August, hoping she would find help. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping her find treatment. On Sept 9th, Maurine will be fitted with hearing aids. For Maurine, this would mean much more than the ability to hear sounds again. It would mean being able to communicate with her children. It would mean understanding her employer, and it would mean reconnecting with family and friends, regaining her confidence, and no longer living in isolation. Now, Maurine needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. She says: “I wish to hear again, so I can communicate more confidently with my family and friends."

Vor is a 75-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has three daughters, four sons, and many grandchildren. Vor lives with his wife, who has also retired from farming, and their youngest daughter, who is garment worker. Vor enjoys spending his time watching the news on TV and listening to monks pray on the radio. About one years ago, Vor developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience 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 Vor is unable to go places on his own. When Vor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On October 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, Vor will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $263 to fund his procedure. Vor said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better so I can recognize and go to far places, join ceremony, and not worry about my eye anymore."

Van is a 72-year-old Tuk-Tuk tricycle driver from Cambodia. He is married and has a son, five daughters, and seven grandchildren. He lives with his wife and his first daughter, who works in a grocery store. Van likes to listen to the latest news on his phone. About one year ago, Van developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him 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 his own. When Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, 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. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Van said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can go back to driving. I want to go to far places without worrying about my eyes. I feel happy when I can support my family."