Sun is a 60-year-old grandmother from Phnom Penh. She is married with one daughter, two sons, and eight grandchildren. Sun and her husband have recently moved to Phnom Penh to live with one of their sons, who works in a nearby garment factory. Before moving to the city, Sun and her husband were farmers living in a rural area. Her hobbies are cooking and listening to monks chanting on the local radio station. About eight years ago, Sun 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 abnormal growth of cells over the pupil causes Sun to have difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for an hour seeking treatment. Sun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva growth from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 30th. She said, "I hope after surgery my eye stops hurting, and I can take care of my grandchildren."

Tharith is a 38-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who is a construction worker, and their three children. At home, he likes to watch the news and chat with his neighbors. Tharith has had ear issues since he was a child. Over time, he has lost hearing in both ears, making it difficult for him to communicate with others. Recently, he experienced an ear infection that caused the eardrum in his left ear to perforate. This has led to increased pain as well as tinnitus, sometimes affecting Tharith's ability to work on the farm. Tharith traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 14th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Tharith said, "I hope my ear will get better, my hearing will improve. I am afraid this illness might give me brain problems."

Isaiah is a young boy from Kenya. He is the eighth born in a family of ten children. Some of his siblings have finished school while others are still studying. Isaiah's father passed on earlier this year and their family relies on his mother and the older siblings to get by. His mother works on people's farms for a living while the older siblings are mostly casual laborers and do not earn much from their jobs. Isaiah was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Isaiah has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Their family does not have medical insurance coverage and cannot raise the required amount needed for Isaiah’s surgery. Fortunately, Isaiah will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 22nd. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Isaiah’s mother says, “When I first heard about this condition and what would happen if not treated, I was very worried for my son.”