Bekunda is a 48-year-old farmer and a mother of five children. Her oldest is 30 years old, and her youngest is 17 years old. Bekunda's husband is a cattle grazer, and her family owns a four room semi-permanent house for shelter. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with and taking care of her family. Eight months ago, Bekunda began to experience troubling symptoms. She found that she tired easily throughout the day and had some difficulty breathing. Upon seeking care, Bekunda was diagnosed with a goitre. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Bekunda receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Bekunda and her family need your support. Bekunda shared, “I pray that I may be considered for treatment. I will continue with farming to further develop my family.”

Kyu is 38-year-old-woman from Burma. She owns a farm which she is able to rent out for 200,000 kyat (approx. 200 USD) for each season. In her free time, she enjoys doing housework such as cooking and cleaning. Kyu was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle that controls the flow of blood. Currently, Kyu has difficulty breathing, chest pain as well as pain in her neck. She also cannot walk fast or for long distances because she gets tired easily. Kyu is unable to sleep well for she worries about her condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Kyu. Once her treatment is completed, it will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “If I feel better after surgery, I want to work and save money for my daughter,” said Kyu.