Bee is a 65-year-old retired farmer. She is single and moved in with her brother-in-law after her sister passed away in a motorbike accident two years ago. She used to help around the house and plant vegetables, but she has been unable to for the last couple of years as her vision has deteriorated. When her vision was better, she used to volunteer at her village pagoda to cook and clean for the monks. About two years ago, Bee developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Bee learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 2nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go out, and I can help my brother do some housework."

Phorn is a 42-year-old vegetable vendor. She is married with three sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is also a vegetable vendor and onion farmer. At home, she helps to care for her grandchildren and watches the news on her phone. Five years ago, Phorn developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Phorn needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 13th. She shared, "I hope after surgery my eye stops tearing and burning. I want to do housework, not be ashamed of my eye, and go back to selling vegetables."

Ivan is an 11-month-old baby who is very energetic. He is now at the crawling stage, and from the moment he arrived at our medical partner's care centre, Ivan has not stopped crawling from one point to another. Ivan lives with both his parents. His father is a small-scale farmer, and the sole provider for the family, while his mother stays at home taking care of household chores. He is very close to his mother, but also not afraid to meet new people. His mother enjoys watching him move around. She has struggled to find treatment for him since he was a newborn baby. When Ivan was born, his parents tried their best to pay for his treatment, but halfway through the treatment plan, they could not afford to pay anymore. Ivan has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes as he grows. Fortunately, Ivan's family came to our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Ivan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily when he grows up. Ivan’s mother says, “my biggest wish is to see my son learn how to stand and eventually start walking.”