Peter is a farmer from Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. He is a father to four children who are all in school. Peter and his wife grow food crops for their family's consumption and sell the surplus to generate income. For three years, Peter has had a left inguinal hernia, causing swelling and pain. Doctors recommend that he undergo surgery and, fortunately, on April 3rd, Peter will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Peter's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Peter says, “I hope for a complete recovery and will be able to resume farming in good health to sustain my family.

Madalo is a 34-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is married with three children; two of them school-going, and a nine-month-old infant. Madalo did not have an opportunity to complete school and therefore finds it difficult to get a regular job that can support her family. She takes on temporary jobs to sustain her family since her husband is unemployed. Since the birth of her third child, Madalo has been experiencing a swelling in a sensitive area which has been causing pain in her lower abdomen whenever she walks short distances. Madalo gave birth to all her children via C-section and so her friends all told her that the pain was normal. The pain however persisted, making it hard for Madalo to work on household chores or take on casual jobs. She decided to visit our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Mission Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and surgery was recommended. However, Madalo is unable to afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Madalo receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to alleviate pain and prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Now, Madalo needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Madalo says, “I am looking forward to being free of the pain and discomfort. Thank you for your support”

Joselito, a 59-year-old father from the Philippines, works as a taxi driver and earns minimum wage. His income is insufficient to provide for his family of five, prompting him to take on extra jobs to make ends meet. Twenty years ago, Joselito began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe pain on the left side of his stomach, which radiated to his back. Initially, he tried drinking a lot of water to ease the pain, and it subsided. When he consulted with a doctor he was asked to take an ultrasound, but could not due to financial constraints. At the onset of an extremely painful episode, Joselito was rushed to a nearby hospital and was diagnosed with gallstones. He was advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. He was informed that if left untreated, his symptoms would continue to worsen and put him at risk of further health complications in the future. Unable to cover the cost of the necessary surgery, he was prescribed pain medication instead. Fortunately, Joselito then sought treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). He is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 27th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Jose is seeking support for the remaining $1,128. Joselito says, "Since I started to feel the symptoms attack more often, I had to reduce my work hours and this took a toll on the family's income and expenses. While my family worries about my health, I am worried that I will not be able to give them what they need because of my condition, so I deeply appreciate the assistance I am receiving for my medical care."