Innocent is an outgoing and hardworking lady, who is 49 years old. She and her husband and three school age children live in Uganda. Because Innocent was orphaned, she didn't have the opportunity to pursue her education beyond primary school. Today she farms, primarily to produce food crops for the family's consumption, while selling any surplus to help generate some income. Her husband is a builder, who is also engaged in farming. One year ago, Innocent began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, heart palpitations with high blood pressure, and fatigue on walking even a short distance. Due to limited finances, she tried using local herbs and traditional cutting, with the hope that she would improve, but nothing has worked to alleviate her symptoms. A friend with whom she shared her concerns referred Innocent to the hospital in Nyakibale, where tests and scans were performed. Innocent was diagnosed with bilateral goiter, which impacts the thyroid gland's production of hormones critical to Innocent's metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Innocent receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 28th at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and Innocent and her family need your help to raise the money. Innocent says: “I believe with your support I will be able to be operated on and will finally be relieved from all these symptoms I’ve been having.”

Josophat lives with his wife and grandchildren in Malawi. His seven children are all married, and living in their own homes. Josophat did not complete primary school, and is now a small-scale farmer, growing maize for both consumption and commercial purposes. Recently, an old building collapsed outside his house, resulting in injuries to both of his legs. He was rushed to a nearby health center, where he was advised to seek treatment at our medical partner's care center Nkhoma Hospital. There, he was diagnosed with knee and ankle fractures, and he requires surgery to ensure proper healing. Presently he is in pain, and unable to work. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Josophat receive treatment. On March 12th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform fracture repair surgery, enabling Josophat to return to his farming, free of pain. Now, Josophat needs help to fund this $636 procedure. Josophat says: “I am looking forward to treatment and recovery.”

Ko Tin is a 34-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his parents and his younger brother in a village in Yangon Division, Burma. He used to be a driver before his condition got worse but now he has stopped. Currently, Ko Tin is living with his parents who are farmers and support him. The whole family’s income is just enough for their basic expenses and basic health care. Ko Tin has a wife who went to Thailand for work about four months ago but he has lost contact with her. When he has the energy and free time, Ko Tin likes playing football with friends. Ko Tin was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires replacement of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. In mid October, Ko Tin experienced fever, cough, body pain, difficult breathing, and severe fatigue when he walks a short distance. After he visited the cardiologist in Yangon Hospital, he was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation and doctor recommend that he should receive surgery. Currently, Ko Tin feels tired, coughs often, and is experiencing difficult breathing. Sometimes, he feels pain from his legs and his arms, and he cannot sleep well at night. He will feel extremely fatigued with shortness of breath when he lays down on the floor. He also cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ko Tin. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Pun Hlaing Hospital on December 3rd and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Ko Tin said, “I would like to recover as soon as possible. My parents are worried about me, and they have difficulty earning enough money to pay for my treatment. I hope my wife to return, and I would like to live as a happy family.”