Sov is a 72-year-old widower from Takeo province. He has one son, six daughters, and twenty grandchildren. He lives alone after his wife passed away 40 years ago. His children help support him through their work at local garment factories. At home, he enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio, and joining ceremonies at his local pagoda. Two years ago, Sov developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and a cloudy lens. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Sov learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for 4.5 hours seeking treatment. On January 5th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Sov said, "I hope after surgery I can see more clearly, so I can recognize faces and join ceremonies at the pagoda in my village."

Rayan is a baby from Tanzania with two siblings. Their parents are small-scale farmers and cattle breeders who cultivate maize and wheat, and cattle for milk production. The family's livelihood has been impacted by drought, and recently the cost of maintaining the farm exceeds any profit they make. When Ryan was 11 months old, he crawled to the kitchen where his mother had started an open fire, and burned his right hand on a piece of firewood. The scars from the wound have since made it difficult for Rayan to use his right hand because the skin around the fingers is webbed together. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, will help Rayan with treatment. On March 9th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. After the procedure, Rayan will be able to open his fingers fully and use his hand. Now, Rayan and his family need help to fund this $832 procedure. Rayans’s mother says, “I hope this surgery will be a big step in helping my son’s condition.”

Pwey is a 72-year-old man from Thailand. He lives alone in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. He raises chickens and receives some financial help from his daughter who also lives in the camp. He has cataracts and his vision is blurred. His eyes are also sensitive to light and from his right eye, he can only make out shapes. He can still see with his left eye but he is unable to cook and walk without assistance. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Pwey. On February 22nd, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Pwey's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Pwey needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. He said, “I like living alone. Even though my daughter asks me to move in with her, I don’t want to. Since I live alone, I want my vision to improve so that I can cook and do everything on my own. Most importantly, so that I can walk faster without worrying about slipping or tripping on something.”