Samon is a retired grandmother. She is 67 years old and has two daughters, three sons, and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest daughter, with both of them caring for Samon's aging husband. Now retired, Samon used to make and sell bottles of fish sauce in the local market. In her free time, she likes watching movies and going to the pagoda to pray. Around three years ago, Samon 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, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Samon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On March 7th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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. Samon shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, and I can drive my motorbike to bring my grandchildren to school."

Rayan is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the first child of his parents, and he is an active and interactive child who loves playing with other children. His father takes on casual jobs to earn a living, while his mother is a homemaker. Rayan was born with a congenital condition affecting his left hand, in which two fingers are joined together, causing concern for his parents regarding its impact on his future. Fortunately, Rayan's mother learned about our medical partner's care center Kafika House from a previous patient and made the decision to take him there. At the center, Rayan was diagnosed with left-hand syndactyly, a condition that is corrected through surgical intervention. The plastic surgeons intend to carry out a release procedure to separate his left hand's third and fourth fingers. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Rayan receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On March 7th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to enhance the mobility of his fingers. Now, his family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Rayan’s mother says: “I hope my son’s hand will be okay and that the condition will not affect his future.”

Larah is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older sister in a small village in the mountains of central Haiti. She likes dressing up and going to church. Larah has two cardiac conditions called ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart, and a second hole exists between two major blood vessels near her heart. Blood leaks through these holes, leaving her weak and short of breath. Larah will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On February 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the larger hole, and tie shut the smaller hole, so that blood can no longer leak through them. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $15,000 to pay for surgery, but Larah's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery preparation. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and preop and postop appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the help of social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Larah's family overseas. Larah's mother said: "Our family thinks it is a miracle that our daughter has this chance to travel for her surgery!"