Sonara is a 37-year-old office worker living in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. He is single and lives with his elderly father and two sisters. His father is the village chief, his older sister works in a music store, and his younger sister works in an office. When not working, he enjoys reading books. Several days ago, he noticed a wound on the sole of his left foot. Since he was 17, he remembers having a small black mole on his foot, but until recently, he did not have pain. The mole has recently increased in size and hinders his ability to walk. Because most people never check their feet for signs of melanoma, unfortunately it often spreads before it is noticed. When Sonara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and biopsy of the mole on the left sole, medial plantar flap, and inguinal node biopsy to determine if he has melanoma and if it has spread. In addition, surgeons will replace the part of his sole that has been excised with a local flap. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Sonara said: "I am lucky to know about CSC, I hope the pain in my foot goes away and I can return to work."

Siem is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province in Cambodia. She is married but has no children and lives with her husband, a vegetable farmer. She helps him sell their produce at the local market, and at home, she enjoys listening to the monks praying on the radio when she has free time. A year ago, Siem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia and frequent hearing. 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 Siem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 1st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place 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. Siem says, "I hope I can see things clearly again so I can travel easily on my own and help my husband with our vegetables."

Olosirian is a 13-month-old baby boy from Tanzania and the youngest child in a family of four children. His parents are from a small remote town. They breed and sell cattle to make a living, but unfortunately drought conditions have made their work difficult and they have lost most of their cattle. Olosirian has clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape. In the future, this may cause him difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Olosirian receive treatment. On January 20th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery at AMH's care center. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Now, he and his family need help raising $935 to fund his procedure and care. Olosirian’s mother shared, "our lack of knowledge is what kept us from seeking treatment. I hope it is not too late."