Mable is a 33-year-old wife and mother of six children. She and her family reside in a small village in Uganda, where she works as a farmer. In addition to farming, Mable's husband works in tea plantations. He uses his income to pay school fees for all six of their children. Mable is currently pregnant with their seventh child. She visited our medical partner's hospital, Bwindi Community Hospital, where she was diagnosed with oligohydromnis, an insufficient amount of amniotic fluid. This condition can lead to severe complications, including poor fetal growth or preterm birth. She has been advised to undergo a C-section. Mable will begin prenatal care on December 19. $241 will fund a C-section, four antenatal visits, three nights in the hospital, and one postpartum visit. Her family is co-paying $4 to help cover the costs. Mable looks forward to delivering her baby safely, so that she can return home to her family. “I am grateful to the people who are supporting my safe birth," says Mable. "We have struggled. Even to come to the hospital was not easy. I pray that God to blesses the donors.”

Na Ruon is a 55-year-old farmer who has two brothers and four sisters. She likes to read books on Buddhism and go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. One year ago, Na Ruon developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, pain, and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Na Ruon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 26, doctors performed a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Na Ruon will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope that I can see everything more clearly," says Na Ruon, "because I want to continue my work as a farmer again to support my family. I want to do any work easily and go anywhere outside without needing others to go with me."

Yesli was born weighing a healthy seven pounds. Since then, however, her mother has been unable to produce enough breastmilk for Yesli to gain weight. As a result, she is small and malnourished. When she is hungry, her mother gives her the only thing that she can afford, warm water. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Yesli's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. Brain development is compromised, and Yesli is at risk of long-term damage. Fortunately, she began treatment on November 15. Yesli lives with her mother and grandparents in rural Guatemala. Her mother sells atol, a warm porridge, to earn a living. The family’s limited income, already stretched thin, puts treatment for Yesli outside of economic reach. They need help to fund this $1,107 treatment. Yesli's treatment will be simple and effective. She will receive formula, which will give her the protein, calories, and nutrients she needs to grow and develop. Her mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Yesli's immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. "I am thankful for the help you will give my daughter," says Yesli's mother. "I hope that my daughter will grow well and not get sick, and then when she is big that she will be a teacher."