Fatma is a 50-year-old mother of seven children aged between four and sixteen. She has faced considerable hardship, being a widow and the sole provider for her family, without a steady income. Fatma resides in Somalia, but also depends on the support of her niece that sells tea in Nairobi, Kenya. Unfortunately, she is unable to afford vital medical treatment. Since 2021, Fatma has been experiencing a persistent bloated feeling and discomfort in her lower abdomen. Initially treated for brucellosis and yellow fever at a local facility without improvement, the growth in her abdomen continued to enlarge, prompting both health concerns and a sense of self-consciousness due to the enlarged mass. She traveled to Kenya to seek medical advice, and further examination in Wajir suggested ovarian cancer, and the need for surgery. However, due to financial constraints, she sought help at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Here, the diagnosis confirmed a large non-cancerous abdominal pelvic mass that needed to be removed through surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Fatma receive treatment. On March 22nd, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (TAH/BSO) procedure to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer and prevent future surgery for benign ovarian masses. Now, Fatma needs help to fund this $1,260 procedure. Fatma is hopeful as she awaits the surgery that promises relief. She says, “I look like a seven-month pregnant lady because of the growth. It is painful. I hope to get treatment so that this pain can go away.”

Sokneang lives with her husband and her two children. Her husband is a construction worker, and her son and daughter both attend local schools. She works in the home, cleaning, and cooking, and in her free time she enjoys watching Khmer dramas. Since 2019, Sokneang has had discharge from a small hole in front of her ear, called a pre-auricular sinus. These are common congenital abnormalities adjacent to the external ear. However, this condition makes her prone to chronic ear infections. Germs can enter the ear canal and cause an infection, resulting in swelling, soreness, and redness. For the past three months, Sokneang has had ear pain and discharge on both sides. Medications from the local pharmacy haven't helped. Frequent infections prevent her from being able to care for her family. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Sokneang and her family need $297 to cover the cost of the surgery, which will take place on February 20th. This will cover surgery, medications, and post-operative care. Sokneang says, "I hope that my ear will stop discharge, and I will not have any infections."

David is a husband and father of two from Cambodia. His family shares a home in Phnom Penn, and their household consists of David and his wife, their two daughters, David's parents, and David's younger sister. David suffered an accident that made him unable to work, so he stays home to watch the children and likes to check the news on his phone in his free time. David's wife works at a hair salon nearby. Their eldest daughter is eight years old and in the second grade and their youngest daughter is 3 years old. In December 2022, David suffered an electric shock and subsequent burns while working on an electric cable. As a result, he developed scars on his lower limb, a flexion contracture of his right knee, and wounds on his right ankle and thigh. It is difficult for David to walk without a crutch or wheelchair, and he is in pain. When David learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled to the care center to receive treatment. On April 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to finally relieve David of pain and help him walk easily again. David and his family contributed $100 to his care and need assistance raising $395 more to fund his surgery cost. David said: "I hope I can walk again without pain or swelling and return to work to support my family."