Chhai Lim is a 72-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Chhnang province in Cambodia. He is married and has three daughters, five sons, and eleven grandchildren. Chhai Lim likes to say that while he might be old chronologically, his body is still strong, and he enjoys going to work every day in the rice field with one of his sons. When at home, he likes listening to the news on the radio and spending time with his family. One year ago, Chhai Lim developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing. The impact on his vision has made it difficult for Chhai Lim to continue to go to the rice fields or elsewhere on his own. Chhai Lim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and he traveled for four and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 20th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now he needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Chhai Lim said: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can go back to farming rice."

Souty is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. He has three brothers and one sister. He lives with his siblings, his grandfather, and his mother in Kampong Cham province. His father works in Thailand in a factory and sends money home to support the family. Souty attends public school and enjoys playing football with his friends. Since Souty was a small child, he has not been able to hear out of his right ear. For three years, he has also had frequent fevers and ear discharge from his left ear, due to an ear infection. The infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his left ear to perforate. Souty suffers from almost total hearing loss because of the poor hearing in his right ear combined with the problems in his left ear. This makes it difficult for him to attend school or understand the teacher. He shared that he feels embarrassed and has been held back in school for several years. Souty and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 22nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Souty's mother said: "Souty wants to go to school and be like other boys. I hope he can get his hearing back so he can communicate well with others."

Akram is a cute, curious 3-year-old from Tanzania. His mother is the family’s sole provider and works as a vendor at a local market, selling vegetables and fruits. Currently, Akram and his mother live in town to help save on living costs as he receives medical treatment, while his three siblings live with their grandmother in the village. Akram was diagnosed with bilateral genus varus, a condition in which his legs bow outwards so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Akram receive treatment. On January 6th, he will undergo surgery that will restore his mobility, allow him to participate in various activities, and significantly decrease his risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to fund this procedure. Akram’s mother shared: “As a single mother struggling to provide for my children, Akram’s condition has been weighing on me.”