Sovan is a 73-year-old widow. She has two sons, four daughters, and 13 grandchildren. She lives in Phnom Penh province with her oldest daughter and her family. When she was younger, she wove and sold Khmer-designed cloth, but now she has retired and spends her days inside, helping with cooking or visiting her local pagoda to pray. A year ago, Sovan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her tearing, blurry vision, and difficulty recognizing the faces of her family. She is most afraid that she will fall when crossing the dirt road near the house or taking the steps up to the pagoda. 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 Sovan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 12th, doctors will perform 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. Sovan shared, "I hope after surgery I can see and go outside to join ceremonies at the pagoda, do housework, and take care of myself."

Mercy is a determined young lady, a sixth born in a family of nine children. Her father is a small scale farmer and her mother a homemaker. She goes to secondary school in Meru County, but is currently behind on her studies due to delays caused by a condition impacting both legs. Mercy was born with a condition known as bilateral genu varum (sometimes referred to as bowlegs), which causes her legs to curve outward at the knees. The condition has greatly affected her mobility. She finds it difficult to walk long distances, she gets tired quickly, and is unable to fully engage in activities with friends. Her self-esteem has been dramatically impacted by constant teasing from her peers, who find her way of walking different. Fortunately, Mercy is scheduled to undergo a surgery called bilateral Proximal Tibial Osteotomy (PTO) at our medical partner's care center AIC CURE International Hospital. The treatment will heal her legs, allow her to walk easily and support her to engage better both in school and with friends. Mercy hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon in order to help other children in the future. “I am looking forward to see my legs being corrected, to live more actively and continue with my education. God bless you for the support,” Mercy told us.

Madalo is a 34-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is married with three children; two of them school-going, and a nine-month-old infant. Madalo did not have an opportunity to complete school and therefore finds it difficult to get a regular job that can support her family. She takes on temporary jobs to sustain her family since her husband is unemployed. Since the birth of her third child, Madalo has been experiencing a swelling in a sensitive area which has been causing pain in her lower abdomen whenever she walks short distances. Madalo gave birth to all her children via C-section and so her friends all told her that the pain was normal. The pain however persisted, making it hard for Madalo to work on household chores or take on casual jobs. She decided to visit our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Mission Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and surgery was recommended. However, Madalo is unable to afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Madalo receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to alleviate pain and prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Now, Madalo needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Madalo says, “I am looking forward to being free of the pain and discomfort. Thank you for your support”