Elizabeth is a mother of three, expecting to deliver her fourth child. She is a trained teacher and had been teaching at a school near her home, however, she has not been able to work for close to two years due to the COVID lockdown for schools. Elizabeth's husband is a catechist but also has not been earning during this challenging time. They shared that they have been living one day at a time. Doctors have told Elizabeth that she needs to deliver via a c-section to ensure the health of her and her new baby. She is asking for support for the $252 cost of treatment. Elizabeth says: “I have really been hit by this long-standing lockdown of schools as I hardly get money for our family necessities. I hope that when I am supported, my financial burden will be relieved and I continue with farming until schools are opened fully and I resume with teaching.”

Babra is a small-scale farmer and a mother of two. Her husband is also a farmer and they own a three-room mud house for shelter for their family. Their firstborn is seven years old and is in the first grade and their second born is six years old in middle junior class. They shared that often it is hard to make ends meet, but they work hard to support their family. During her free time, Babra enjoys playing with and looking after her children. Babra is currently expecting her third child. She has been getting antenatal care at Kamuganguzi Health Centre and her doctors recommend that she have a C-section since she is at risk of a rupture in her uterus. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Babra undergo a C-Section on December 3rd. This procedure will cost $214, and Babra needs your support. Babra says, “I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with farming alongside my husband so that we can continue taking care of our family.”

Chhoeun is a 44-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and one daughter. He works in the rice field and enjoys playing on Facebook in his free time. Five months ago, Chhoeun developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to miss work because of the blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chhoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 20th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that my husband will be able to see things better and go back to rice farming with me again," Chhoeun's wife said.

Htet is a 24-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her grandparents, her uncle, her uncle’s wife, her niece, her aunt, and her aunt’s husband in Yangon, Burma. Her parents passed away when she was 19 years old. Htet's uncle is still searching for work and is currently unemployed, while his wife is a homemaker. Her niece is still too young to enroll in school. Htet works as shop vender at a construction store. Htet’s aunt is a homemaker while her husband is a day laborer. Htet’s grandparents are retired. Their family's combined incomes are is just enough for their daily expense and for basic healthcare needs. Htet was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Htet feels very tired and cannot walk long distances. Sometimes, she has chest pains. She often has a headache and shared that she feels stressed and unhappy all the time. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Htet. The treatment is scheduled to take place on May 31st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Htet said, “In the future if I recover, I would like to become a makeup artist. In my free time, I try to make my own makeup.”