Emmanuel is a baby from Uganda. He is the last born in a family of three children. His mother is a housewife, and his father is a small-scale farmer. Their firstborn is 8 years old and in primary school class two, while the second is 5 years old and in middle junior class. They rent a single room for shelter, located within walking distance from Rushoroza hospital. One month after birth, Emmanuel has since had a right inguinal hernia. He was born via a C-section at Rushoroza Hospital under the SAFE fund. His mother reports that her son developed a small inguinal swelling and an umbilical swelling (hernia) that later disappeared. She was told to wait until he was one year old so that surgery could be done. The hernia makes him uncomfortable and irritable, and the herbs the mother has been using as treatment are no longer working. Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $170 to fund Emmanuel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Emmanuel’s mother says, “I pray that my son may have a successful surgery so that he may live a comfortable life and grow into a big man in the future."

Hean is an 80-year-old grandmother from Kompong Cham province. Now retired, she worked for many decades as a rice farmer. She has two daughters, one son, and ten grandchildren. Since her husband passed away two years ago, she moved in with her youngest daughter, who is also a rice farmer. In her free time, Hean likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and help care for her grandchildren. One year ago, Hean developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On March 8th, doctors will perform surgery on Hean's right eye. Hean needs help to fund this $253 procedure. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Hean says, "I hope after surgery I can take good care of my grandchildren."

Yean is a mother of five sons, and eleven grandchildren. She lives in Kandal province in Cambodia with her retired husband and their youngest son, a farmer. She enjoys going to the pagoda with villagers on holy days. Six months ago, Yean developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She shared that it is difficult to cook for the family because her vision is so bad. When Yean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there hoping for treatment. On December 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Yean said: "I hope after surgery I can see more clearly, so I can recognize faces and join ceremonies at our pagoda."