Veronica is a 50-year-old small-scale farmer. She has a contagious smile and an optimism for life despite the challenges she has encountered. She is a mother of six children and lives with her husband who is a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. She grows maize for home consumption and sells the surplus for additional income. 10 years ago, Veronica began experiencing troubling symptoms, including a small mass on her neck. She visited several hospitals for lab tests and medication, but nothing seemed to help and the mass has grown. She has also gained weight and experiences shortness of breath and a fast heart. A friend told her about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) and she visited AMH's care center hoping for a clear diagnosis and treatment. She was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid and surgery is recommended to prevent her symptoms from worsening. On October 19th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH's care center, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $936, and she and her family need help raising money. Veronica shared, "this condition is making me weak and I can’t work like before. I want to be strong for my children so that they can receive education and get their daily needs."

Meet Tin, a 59-year-old wife and mother from Burma who raises cows, chickens, and pigs and plants vegetables near her house. Tin came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) with an ovarian mass. “Six months ago, Tin noticed her first symptoms,” explains BBP. “At that time, she thought she had a stomachache.” Since then, Tin's abdominal pain has persisted, and she has begun to lose weight and feel nauseous whenever she eats. “Currently, Tin experiences pain in her abdomen and back, so she finds it difficult to walk,” says BBP. “She also experiences body pain and headaches, and sometime she gets tired and has difficulty breathing.” The combined income from Tin, her husband, and their adult daughter is enough to cover the family’s daily expenses, but they do not earn enough money to save, and they must borrow funds for health care. Tin’s five married children live in the same village and provide financial help whenever they can. The recommended treatment for Tin is an oophorectomy to remove the affected ovary. $1,500 covers the cost of the surgery as well as a seven-day hospital stay and one outpatient appointment post-surgery. After surgery, “Tin will not be in constant pain and will be able to work again and care for her family,” shares BBP. “I want to be well so that I can work for my family, save money, and have a happy family,” says Tin.

Meet Olais, a bright and energetic eight-year-old boy from Tanzania. Olais is the fourth of six children and lives with his aunt and uncle, who have three children of their own. "Olais is in kindergarten, but recently he has been complaining of pain on his knees after a long walk to school," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Olais has bilateral genu valgum, also known as “knock-knee,” and this condition makes it difficult for him to walk without pain. In Tanzania, many children will receive this diagnosis due to high concentrations of fluoride in drinking water. For $940, we can provide Olais with full treatment, including surgery, casting and physiotherapy to improve his knees, and allow him to walk long distances without feeling pain. “Olais is a bright kid. He can do well in school, and we want him to go to school and later on have a good career and live a better and independent life,” share Olais' aunt and uncle.