Edina, a 41-year-old mother of seven, works as a vegetable seller, earning about $2.97 per day for her family's upkeep. She finds joy interacting with her customers and has a fondness for chicken and nsima, a Malawian staple porridge made from maize flour. Four years ago, Edina discovered a small, painless swelling on the right side of her neck. After seeking medical advice at a nearby hospital, she was diagnosed with goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She was instructed to wait for an opportunity for surgery, but her condition has worsened, causing breathlessness, neck pain, and difficulty lifting heavy objects. This has affected her work capacity and resulted in a decrease in income. Inspired by a fellow community member's journey to seek help, Edina visited our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Centre, where a surgeon reconfirmed the need for a thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Faced with financial hardships, Edina is seeking support for her surgery treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edina receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to relieve her symptoms and help her resume her vegetable business at full capacity. Now, Edina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Edina says, “I feel so fortunate to get the opportunity for support. Thank you so much, I believe surgery will help me get back to normal life."

Yany is an 18-year-old student--her parents are both rice farmers in Sihanouk province, where they live with her four other siblings. She shares her home with her three brothers and one sister who also attend school and support the family rice crops. As the oldest daughter, she helps her mother keep the house clean and cook for the family when she is not in school. In August 2020, Yany was involved in a motorbike accident that resulted in a fractured right femur. Her parents took her to a local hospital, where she underwent a procedure to implant hardware to facilitate the healing process. Her bone has healed well and she now needs the hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 2nd, Yany will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This will allow her to continue to strengthen her leg and focus on her studies. Yany said: "I hope after surgery, my leg will heal well, and I will have no pain any more."

Ling is a 5-year-old girl who lives in Kampong Chhnang province with her parents and two siblings. Her parents run a stall at the local market selling children's toys. Ling loves playing with her siblings and running around the village. Her favorite subject is math and she hopes to be a nurse when she grows up. When Ling was 2 years old, she received injections in her left thigh for an infection. Since then, she has developed a stiff knee and hip, making it difficult to bend, carry out everyday activities, walk, and run. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre can help. On March 7th, Ling will undergo a tendon lengthening procedure to improve her mobility. With surgery and physiotherapy, Ling should be able to walk and run again. Our partner is requesting $572 to fund Ling's surgery and care. Ling's mom shared, "I hope she can get better and play with her friends again."