Peter is a 46-year-old man from Kenya. He used to work as a laborer on a farm, where he packed and loaded potatoes. However, in 2015, while at work, a sack of potatoes accidentally fell from the truck and landed on his back. He lost consciousness and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted for several days. Despite treatment, Peter experienced persistent back pain, making it difficult to sit, stand, or move comfortably. His condition forced him to stop working and move in with his aunt. Peter was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he was diagnosed with low back pain. As he is not responding to medication, the doctor recommends that he undergo spine fusion surgery. Peter is scheduled to undergo surgery on September 16th and needs help to raise $1,500 for the procedure. After recovery, doctors expect that Peter will be able to go back to work and perform his daily tasks. Peter says, “I can’t sleep well because my back is in pain, and sometimes while walking, I lose balance and fall.”

Chantha is a 42-year-old mother from Cambodia. She has two sons whoa re both in primary school. She and her husband sell drinks and snacks to travelers on a corner along a busy road in Prey Veng province. In her free time, she helps her children with their homework. Since birth, Chantha has had a rare, slow-growing, non-cancerous tumor called a chondroma that developed on the end portion of her right thigh bone. In rare cases, a chondroma can turn into cancer. Three weeks ago, she was in a road traffic collision, injuring her right leg. Her leg is swollen, she is unable to walk, and she is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 5th, Chantha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will allow the surgeons to remove the chondroma, stabilize the bone, and restore her mobility. This will decrease her pain and help her walk easily again. Chantha's family was able to contribute $100 towards her medical care but need help raising the remaining $383 to fund the procedure. Chantha said: "I hope to return home soon to care for my children and be free from pain."

Ren is a 59-year-old loving grandmother from Kandal province in Cambodia. She is a retired rice farmer with two daughters, five sons, and 12 grandchildren. She and her husband live with their youngest daughter, a garment factory worker in the province. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and watch movies on TV. Six years ago, Ren developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her redness, itchiness, and tearing. She says that she feels like there is a foreign object in her eye that is constantly burning and is embarrassed about how her eye looks. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, wind, or dust and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 2nd, doctors will perform a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. Ren and her family are able to contribute $50 but need help to raise $175 more to fund the procedure. Ren shared, "I hope after surgery my eye will be better and I won’t worry about it anymore. I want to see well and take care of my grandchildren."