Aziza is a young student from Tanzania. She is twelve year old and the second born in a family of three children. She is currently in class six and her best subjects are mathematic and Swahili. She would love to be a teacher when she grows up. Aziza is being raised by one of her aunts while her other sibling are being raised by other relatives, this after their mother past away four years ago. Their father developed a drinking problem and was not taking care of the children, so their relatives decided to help the children since they would miss meals and they didn’t have anyone to wash their clothes or provide them with other needs. When she was three years old, Aziza fell on an open fire when playing with her two siblings. She suffered wrist burns and after a hospital stay, she was discharged to continue with dressing the burn at home. Unfortunately, she healed with contractures on her left wrist. In October last year, Watsi donors funded her her wrist contracture release and skin graft. She now needs her fingers released as contractures make it impossible for her to move her fingers freely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Aziza receive treatment. On February 19th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so she will be able to move her fingers and hand freely. Now, she needs help to fund this $608 procedure. Aziza requested, “Help me have my hand fully released and be able to use it in my daily activities without challenges.”

Joselyn is a peasant farmer from Uganda who was diagnosed with goitre. She has suffered for the past five years, complaining of difficulty breathing, headache and consistent palpitations. She is not able to perform most of her daily work. Joselyn was not able to get funds for surgery previously so continued struggling with the condition. She came to our facility and had surgery recommended. With successful surgery, Joselyn will be able to lead a normal life. Joselyn is a mother of 10 children. They are not in any formal employment and thus unable to help their mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Joselyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Joselyn says, “I hope to have a successful surgery so that I continue with cultivation at my farm.”

Julia is a young girl from Kenya. Julia lives with her elder sister and parents in a two room rental house in Central Kenya. Her parents are subsistence farmers without an external source of income. Julia is in class one and dreams of becoming a pilot when she is older. One year ago, Julia was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. This hernia causes her pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on August 30th, she will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Julia's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “I want to be a pilot when I grow up.” says Julia.

Byamugisha is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She has nine children—her oldest is 37 years old and her youngest is 18. She grows millet, beans, bananas, maize, and other food crops. For eight months, Byamugisha has been experiencing severe abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $208 to fund Byamugisha's surgery. On January 2, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Byamugisha will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Byamugisha says, “I will continue with cultivation after surgery and will be glad to see my condition relieved.”

“Thol is married with four sons, three daughters, and eight grandchildren,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “She works as a rice farmer. In her free time, she does housework and plants mint plants around her home.” “One year ago, Thol developed a pterygium in her left eye, and she has a cataract in each eye,” says CSC. A pterygium is a non-cancerous growth of the conjunctiva that appears as a pink or white, fleshy, elevated mass on the eye. Cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the pupil. CSC explains: “the pterygium and cataracts cause blurred vision, burning, irritation, and tearing.” For $150, Thol will first receive surgery to remove the pterygium in her left eye. This amount will also cover pre-surgery consultations, as well as Thol's post-operative recovery needs. She will then return to CSC after two weeks for cataract removal surgery. After both operations, Thol will have painless and clear vision. "I hope I will be able to see everything better than now, and not experience burning, irritation and tearing any more,” shares Thol. “I want to continue my work at the farm, and be able to easily go outside too.”

Boran is a 21-year-old construction worker who lives with his wife and children in Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Boran developed a chalazion on his left eye 3 months ago. This causes him irritation, burning, and his eyelid is swollen.” A chalazion is an eyelid cyst caused by a blocked oil duct. Initial symptoms include redness and swelling of the involved eyelid, followed by the formation of a firm bump that can become as large as a pea. If the chalazion is large enough, it can cause tearing of the eye or blurred vision. For a large, painful, or recurring chalazion, doctors may recommend surgery to remove the bump, as is the case for Boran. “It is hard for Boran to see clearly, do work, or go outside,” continues CSC. “He doesn't like going outside because it causes him burning and he is embarrassed about his appearance.” For $150, Boran will undergo surgery to remove the chalazion and spend two nights in the hospital as he recovers. “After a chalazion incision and removal surgery,” explains CSC, “Boran will feel less burning, irritation, and his appearance will improve.”