Mao is a retired rice farmer and widow from Kampong Thom province, where she lives with one of her daughters. Her other four children and grandchildren live nearby. After retiring from decades of work in the rice paddies, Mao started to help more around the house and with childcare for her grandkids. She enjoys spending time with family, and visiting the local pagoda to pray. About six months ago, Mao developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On February 1st, doctors will perform a 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. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can do the housework easily and take good care of my grandchildren."

Edina, a 41-year-old mother of seven, works as a vegetable seller, earning about $2.97 per day for her family's upkeep. She finds joy interacting with her customers and has a fondness for chicken and nsima, a Malawian staple porridge made from maize flour. Four years ago, Edina discovered a small, painless swelling on the right side of her neck. After seeking medical advice at a nearby hospital, she was diagnosed with goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She was instructed to wait for an opportunity for surgery, but her condition has worsened, causing breathlessness, neck pain, and difficulty lifting heavy objects. This has affected her work capacity and resulted in a decrease in income. Inspired by a fellow community member's journey to seek help, Edina visited our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Centre, where a surgeon reconfirmed the need for a thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Faced with financial hardships, Edina is seeking support for her surgery treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edina receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to relieve her symptoms and help her resume her vegetable business at full capacity. Now, Edina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Edina says, “I feel so fortunate to get the opportunity for support. Thank you so much, I believe surgery will help me get back to normal life."

Samoeun is a widow and retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. Currently, she lives with her only son and his family, who now manage the family farm. She likes cleaning the house, taking care of her grandchildren, and listening to the monks pray on the radio. For approximately 30 years, Samoeun has had a lesion on her skull. About five years ago, she had a lesion on her back that was removed, but no biopsy was done. Her current lesion is circular, approximately a 4 cm. x 4 cm. lesion. Because it is on her skull, she can only feel it and does not know for sure if it has grown recently. It does not cause her pain, but it is itchy and she is concerned. Fortunately, a relative told her about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and the good care given for Cambodians. Samoeun traveled three hours with her son for a diagnosis and surgical excision. On February 13th, surgeons will perform a complex excision of the skull lesion. With concerns looming over the possibility of basal cell carcinoma, they plan to remove as much as feasible, ensuring Samoeun's well-being and peace of mind. The cost of this procedure is $726, which will cover surgical care, recovery in the hospital, medications, and histology analysis of the lesion. Samoeun shared: "I am worried about the results, but hope I have no pain or infection and can take care of myself well, and enjoy my retirement with my family."