Hy is a 75-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province. She is married and has two sons, two daughters, and 11 grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also retired from farming, and with her youngest daughter, who is a rice farmer. At home, after she is free from taking care of her grandchildren, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Hy 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 she is not able to go places on her own. When Hy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 24th, 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 $263 procedure. Hy said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can go out and recognize my relatives and do housework, and I don’t worry about my eye anymore."

La Min is a 12-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents and three brothers in Myawaddy, Karen State, Burma. His father is a day laborer, and his mother takes in laundry. He and his two older brothers are students, but his younger brother is too young to go to school yet. The family’s monthly income is not enough to cover the family’s daily expenses, so they often borrow money from a neighbor to get by. Since 2023, La Min has been experiencing swollen tonsils which make it difficult for him to breathe. He coughs and snores at night and has difficulty sleeping, so he sometimes has to sleep sitting upright. Because of his difficulty breathing, he gets tired easily, so his parents sometimes do not allow him to play football or cane ball with his friends. La Min was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a tonsillectomy for La Min, which is scheduled to take place on March 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving La Min of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. La Min said, “I look forward to eating anything I can again. Right now, my mother just cooks plain food, so I want to eat something delicious again.”

Ezekiel is a 76-year-old man from Malawi. He is a widower and father of six living in Nathenje, Lilongwe. He works as a day laborer and a small-scale farmer. Ezekiel lives alone in a small house which was initially temporary, but now is his permanent home. For one year, Ezekiel has noticed a left inguinal hernia. The condition has slowly taken away his strength and ability to work comfortably. He now experiences pain that stretches down into his right leg, making it difficult for him to walk long distances or perform physical labor. The work that once sustained him has become harder and harder to do. Hoping for help, he came to Nkhoma Hospital, where doctors examined him and advised that surgery is needed to correct the condition and relieve his pain. Hearing that treatment was possible brought him hope, but the cost of surgery is more than he can afford. For Ezekiel, this surgery means more than treatment. It is a chance to regain his strength, continue working, and live without the constant pain that now shapes his days. Your support will empower him to keep fighting despite his circumstances. Fortunately, on May 18th, he will undergo hernia repair with mesh surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $500 to fund Ezekiel's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 18th and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ezekiel said, “I am growing old, but I still want to work and care for myself while I can. This illness has made life very difficult for me. I do not have anyone to help me, but I am hoping that I can receive support and get this surgery so I can live with less pain.”