Miriam is a sociable four-year-old girl from Arusha Tanzania, the first born child in a family of two children. Miriam's father works casual day jobs to earn a living, while the mother is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges due to limited income, the parents work diligently to ensure their family's well-being. Miriam was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by her mother following a burn incident she experienced in May 2023. A pot of boiling beans tipped off and the hot water spilled on Miriam, causing burn injuries. She was first taken to a nearby healthcare center for wound care, and it took a month for her wounds to heal. During the healing process, her skin developed a burn contracture on her elbow, which was left untreated as the health center did not have the capacity to handle such cases, and the family did not have the financial resources to seek treatment in a larger institution. Sometime later, Miriam's mother met one of Kafika House's staff members who advised her to go to the facility for an assessment, with hope for treatment, as the condition was already limiting Miriam's ability to perform her daily activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Miriam receive treatment at their care center Kafika House. On April 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to restore the functionality of her hand. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Miriam’s mother says: “Please help my daughter get this treatment. I hope she will grow up with her arm fully functional.”

Sok is an 80 year-old retired rice farmer from Kompong Thom province. Since her husband died five years ago, she has been living alone. Her six children and twelve grandchildren live in neighboring villages. The family checks in on her often, but it has become increasingly difficult for Sok to go out on her own due to deteriorating vision. She misses going to the pagoda to pray and taking walks. Her favorite things are her grandchildren and listening to Buddhist radio. About one year ago, Sok developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. 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 Sok learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and 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. Sok shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better, easily go out on my own, and recognize my family."

Edwin is an outspoken and confident 38-year-old from Uganda. Edwin loved school when she was young, but she was unable to proceed further with her education because her parents couldn't afford to raise money for her to attend college. Since then, she has been engaged in farming for a living. However, due to limited land, she primarily grows crops to feed her family and sells the surplus to generate income. Her husband works as a farmer and often engages in casual labor in other people's gardens to earn an income. During her free time, she enjoys taking care of her family, performing domestic chores such as cooking, washing, and maintaining the household. Edwin has a poor obstetric history. She has been pregnant seven times, but she reports having experienced five miscarriages due to an unknown cause. Because of the stress from these miscarriages, she has developed hypertension in pregnancy, for which she has been on medication since her first trimester. She is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of gestational hypertension and the significance of her previous obstetric challenges. This way, doctors can better ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edwin undergo a ceasarean section on December 12th. This procedure will cost $252, and Edwin needs your support. Edwin says, “I pray that am given your support for then I can have a live baby and a successful delivery.”