Abel is elderly man who is married with nine children. His children are teachers and small business people and are all married, but unfortunately are not in a position to help fund their father's surgery. Abel and his wife are farmers and through hard work manage to raise enough income for their daily needs. Since 5 years ago, Abel has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. He experiences swelling with intermittent pain and discomfort. Abel struggles to walk or even work on the farm. He has undergone one hydrocelectomy surgery, but after a year, it appeared again. Abel was reviewed at our medical partner's care center Nyakibale Hospital and surgery was recommended. He appeals for financial support. Fortunately, on October 12th, Abel will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $146 to fund Abel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will enable him to live more comfortably and confidently. Abel says “I have had this problem for a long time and I really request your help over this burden. I would have had this treatment done but I don’t have the money.”

Thun is a mother of two. She lives with her husband and their two children. At home, Thun enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. A month ago, Thun fell and fractured her right femur. Initially she sought treatment at the government hospital but her condition did not improve. It was difficult for her to walk or travel and she continues to be in pain. Her neighbor recommended she come to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On October 14th, Thun will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This fee includes five days of recovery and physical therapy at the hospital. Most importantly, the procedure will allow her to walk easily again. Thun said, "I hope I can stand up and walk by myself after surgery."

Byarugaba is an elderly gentleman and father of nine children, with three daughters and six sons. Together with his wife, they cultivate bananas and coffee, which earns them a living. For several years, Byarugaba has had severe pain from a hydrocele, or a swelling in a sensitive area. The pain becomes severe when he tries to do strenuous activities such as digging, walking, or standing for a long period of time. At Nyakibale Hospital, doctors conducted a scan and diagnosed him with a right scrotal hydrocele. Byarugaba needs a hydrocelectomy to correct his condition and reduce the chances of further complications and pain. He appeals for financial support for his cost of care. Fortunately, on March 2nd, Byarugaba will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $146 to fund Byarugaba's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Byarugaba shared, “I look forward to being treated and continuing with my farm work without pain."

Plork is an 18-year-old ice driver from Cambodia. He has 7 siblings - 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Plork is the youngest in the family. He lives with his parents who are farmers. In December 2020, Plork was electrocuted in an electrical accident, which burned his hand. Electrical burns occur most commonly on the hands and feet. His family took him to a provincial hospital for wound care, and he spent 3 days in the hospital. When Plork returned home, his right hand got infected and did not heal. He went and had a surgical debridement of the dead skin, which healed well. Now, however, Plork cannot use this hand and is constantly in pain. He is feeling very unwell and describes his health as poor. When Plork learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On February 5th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft to help his hand to heal properly so that he can use his hand again. Now, he needs help to fund this $787 procedure. Plork shared, "After surgery, I hope my right hand will be get better and have no more pain and wound infection. I hope I can return to work soon and support my family again."

Sokhom is a 30-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have been married for ten years and have two children together. His children recently started school. His wife farms alongside him, taking care of their pigs. Sokhom teaches his children everyday and helps them with their schoolwork. In his free time he also likes listening to the radio. In early June 2020, he cut his ankle while working. He soon developed a rash and a skin infection around the cut. He went to a local clinic where they tried to clean and dress the wound, but the infection returned. His ankle is now swollen, painful, and has discharge being released from the wound. When Sokhom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On July 10th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove damaged skin and infected tissue from wound. Now, Sokhom needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Sokhom said, "My ankle is too painful to walk and work to support my family, so I hope the doctors can easily treat the wound and make my foot healthy again."

Kabula is the fifth born child in her family and was born with Spina Bifida. Her parents were referred to a more advanced hospital for treatment but they could not afford to travel to there or the cost of treatment that would be needed. They returned home tried to raise money but months kept passing by and they still could not afford it. Kabula kept getting sick every now and then with fever and vomiting, and her family took her to the nearby clinic where they were given medications. Kabula's parents separated two months ago, her mom shared, as Kabula's father was blaming her mom for giving birth to a child with Hydrocephalus. He also felt he could not afford any treatment for her with his living as a subsistence farmer, so Kabula's mother has been caring for her alone. Kabula's mother has now returned back to her parent's house to live. Kabula has been scheduled for Spina Bifida repair surgery and a VPS insertion and her mother is requesting financial support. She said, “I have been left with no support from my husband due to our child’s condition. Please help save her life.”

Tumuhirwe is a 75-year-old farmer from Uganda. She is a widow and a mother to eleven children. Tumuhirwe has four boys; two are small scale farmers, one is a nurse and another one is a teacher. She also has seven daughters; all whom are married and are small scale farmers. Tumuhirwe earns a living from her banana plantation and coffee plantation, and sometimes grows food crops like beans, potatoes, and maize at a small scale. She sells off the surplus to generate an income. For the last three years, Tumuhirwe has been experiencing persistent lower abdominal pain accompanied by on and off bleeding. She has been diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion. Tumuhirwe needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Tumuhirwe's surgery. On December 8th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Tumuhirwe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Tumuhirwe shared, “I hope to get a new life after my surgery and hope to continue with farming to support my family.”

Rong, a 65-year-old man from Cambodia, is married with one son, six daughters, and 10 grandchildren. He enjoys visiting the pagoda, listening to the monks pray on the radio, and reading books. One year ago, Rong developed a cataract in each eye. This has caused him blurred vision and he can't see everything clearly, work well, or go outside on his own. He traveled three hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) with his daughter. After a small-incision cataract surgery, and intra-ocular lens implant in each eye, Rong will be able to see everything clearly again. This surgery costs $225 and will be performed by the medical team at CSC. Rong shares his hopes for after surgery: "I will easily read a book, and can go outside without disturbing another."

Meet Seam, a 58-year-old woman from Cambodia with one son, six daughters, and eight grandchildren. She is a rice farmer, and in her free time enjoys working around the home and visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray. She is a patient with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). “Seam developed a cataract in each eye 6 months ago. This causes her to be partially blind and experience some pain, irritation, tearing, and cloudy lenses. She can't see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside on her own,” explains CSC. Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, which causes decreased vision and functional blindness. In Cambodia, 90% of blindness could be avoided through proper treatment. As with many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate and cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain such as cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services. $225 funds cataract surgery that will remove the cloudy lenses from both of her eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. Funding for her surgery includes post-operative care, and after the surgery, she will be able to see clearly again.

“About two and a half years ago, Turyaingana noticed two swellings in his inguinal region as he was lifting sacks of dried food in a store,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). 53-year-old Turyaingana runs a business in his home country of Uganda, and also works as a farmer to generate income to support his wife and seven children. “Income from farming is not stable because it depends on the season and good timing,” AMHF says. “Sometimes he puts in a lot of energy but gets very poor yield.” Due to his pain and swelling, Turyaingana’s work schedule has become even more irregular. AMHF diagnosed him with an inguinal hernia, and he needs surgery to fix the condition. “Turyaingana decided to stop working in a store and started digging,” AMHF continues. “He is currently unable to carry heavy stuff or climb a hill where his gardens are. He has never gone to a hospital but has been using herbs. After being on herbs for a long time and not experiencing any positive change on the swelling Turyaingana went to the hospital, but he couldn’t afford to pay for treatment.” For $220, we can fund Turyaingana’s hernia repair. Not only will he be able to return to work, but “the risk of intestinal obstruction, incarceration or/and strangulation will also be eliminated,” AMHF says. “Thank you for being thoughtful of the poor,” Turyaingana told AMHF.

Meet 33-year-old Wilson, a married man living in Kenya and a father of two young children. “Wilson used to earn for his family by riding a taxi motorbike” while his wife cares for the children, shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Earlier this year, Wilson fractured his left femur when he was hit by a car while riding his motorbike. “Wilson was taken to the nearest hospital, where he was put on skin traction" and received a plaster cast. This treatment failed to heal his fracture, and "if not operated, Wilson may never be able to use his leg," AMHF adds. Wilson is the sole financial supporter of his family, and his injury prevents him from working. “Wilson’s family is depending on friends and family members for their basic needs, and are therefore unable to raise the money required for this important treatment.” For $1,125, Wilson will receive an open reduction and internal fixation surgery. In this two-part surgery, the bone is first put back in place and then is fixed with an internal device. AMHF expects that Wilson’s leg will heal well after the procedure and he will be able to walk again. “It has been five months of pain and struggle," Wilson shares. "May God help me to see my leg healed and being able to walk again. I pray that soon I will go back to work and support my family.”

Maria, a 16-year-old girl from Tanzania, loves going to school. “She especially enjoys learning mathematics and likes to play card and board games with other children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Recently, however, because of her worsening knees, the long walk to school has become more difficult for Maria. “Maria is unable to run and she walks with difficulty due to knocked knees,” explains AMHF. According to AMHF, Maria’s legs first started bowing inwards when she was four years old. Her condition, technically called genu valgum, has worsened and Maria now feels pain on her knees and her hips after long periods of walking or bending. In areas of northern Tanzania, drinking water contains high levels of fluoride, which can lead to curvature of the bones. If left untreated, Maria is at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age. In addition, this disability hinders her mobility and limits her potential sources of income. For $940, Maria will undergo a combination of casting and surgery to realign the bones and joints in her knees. After treatment, Maria will have straight legs, better gait, and reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis. AMHF tells us, “Despite the pain she feels on her knees after walking a long distance, Maria doesn’t like to miss school.” Fortunately, we can help Maria regain full mobility so she won't have to worry about missing school.