Judith is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. When she was young, she was in school only up to the 7th grade due to limited financial support from her parents. She now does farming together with her husband and it is through the sale of their farm produce that they are able to pay school fees for their three children. They live in a three-room mud house that was given to them by her father-in-law. Six years ago, Judith began to experience neck swelling that was noticed by her friends. They advised her to use herbs but that did not help. The swelling is painless except when she touches it. She has mild airway obstruction especially when she walks up the hill and when singing in church, which she loves to do. Last year she visited a doctor at Kabale Referral Hospital to seek treatment. Judith was diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Judith receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 22 at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Judith says, “I believe that I will be singing in church comfortably again one day soon and hope to be able to proceed with farming for my family’s survival.”

Noah is a 3-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second-to-last child in a family of 4 children. His family resides in a remote village known in Simanjiro, Tanzania. Noah’s mother is a homemaker and also assists her husband with agricultural activities, given that farming is their primary source of sustenance and income. Noah takes pleasure in helping others and enjoys solving puzzles alongside his friends. When Noah was merely eight months old, he was crawling around the house and ventured into the kitchen alone, just as his mother was occupied with washing chores. Inadvertently, he encountered a pan which slipped from the stove, causing hot water to spill onto the left side of his body, resulting in severe burns on his left armpit and elbow. Noah’s parents swiftly transported him to the nearest medical facility for urgent treatment. After receiving initial first aid, he was subsequently discharged with instructions for proper wound care. Despite these efforts, his wounds took two months to fully heal. Even after healing, noticeable damage to the skin remained on his left axilla (armpit) and elbow, which subsequently restricted the range of motion in his left arm, leading to his discomfort while crawling. The gravity of the situation became apparent to Noah’s parents, who were initially unaware of the necessity for further medical intervention to enhance their son’s quality of life. Noah was diagnosed with burn scar contractures affecting his left axilla and elbow. The contractures tighten the skin around the arm such that he is unable to use his hand without discomfort. Recognizing the significance of their son’s well-being, Noah’s parents humbly seek assistance to ensure he receives the requisite treatment to enhance his quality of life. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping Noah receive treatment. On August 14th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enable him to use his hand with ease and improve his quality of life. AMH needs help raising $874 to fund the procedure. Noah’s father says, “We are excited for his treatment as this condition has made him less interactive with his peers, and we are hopeful for a positive outcome from the treatment."

Meet Sabina: a married mother of six children aged 23, 16, 12, 10, 6 and 4 years from Malawi. She is a farmer together with her husband. Her first child is married with one child and the rest of the children are in primary school except the last born who is yet to join school. Sabina likes chatting with her children and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour with vegetables. Sabina was well until 18 months ago when she noted a small lump on her right breast that was not painful. She visited the nearest hospital where she was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) for further assessments. At KCH, different tests were done, and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma was made followed by four cycles of neo-adjuvant therapy during September 2023. Sabina was later scheduled for surgery that same month, but unfortunately she did not report back since her last child was sick and admitted to the hospital for malaria. On January 16th this year, Sabina went back to KCH where she was referred to our medical partner's care center PIH for a modified radical mastectomy. Of late, Sabina has been experiencing needle pricking pains that are becoming unbearable without pain-relieving medications plus backache, weakness, and leg & chest pains affecting her farm work plus household chores. Sabina believes the surgical operation will help her get back to her normal condition and for her to continue taking care of her children and resume her farm work. Sabina said, “It is better to remain with one breast than have two with problems, I will move on with one breast.”

Sopheaktra is an 18-year-old air conditioning maintenance worker from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Chnang province with his parents and older brother. His parents work as rice farmers to support their family. Sopheaktra enjoys spending time with his friends and being active. In June 2023, Sopheaktra was in a motorbike accident where he fractured his left femur. He was treated by a local village healer, but he still experiences pain and difficulty walking. Sopheaktra is currently unable to work due to his injury. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On July 11th, Sopheaktra will undergo a fracture repair procedure at CSC's care center. CSC is requesting $483 to fund his surgery. After his procedure, Sopheaktra will be able to walk easily again. He shared, "I hope I can not have pain anymore so I can sleep better at night and walk again. I want to be able to return to work as soon as possible."

Sok Din is a 13 year-old seventh grader who lives in Takeo province with his parents and two brothers. Both of his parents are rice farmers. Sok Din is one of the top students in his class, and he is hoping to study biology at university. When he was 10 months old, Sok Din burned his hand and lower leg in an accidental gasoline fire at home. Using their savings and borrowed money, the family travelled to Vietnam, so that Sok Din could be treated. Thankfully, the treatment was successful, and Sok Din returned home a few weeks later. Since then, however, scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin on his left hand, limiting his hand's functionality, and making Sok Din feel embarrassed at school. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $495 to fund burn contracture release surgery for Sok Din, which is scheduled for May 18th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After his surgery, Sok Din and his family hope that he will be able to use his hand more fully, and that he will no longer feel embarrassed at school.

Rany is a 27-year-old soldier from Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. He lives with his parents, who are rice farmers, and his brother, who works in an office. When he has free time, Rany likes to play football and have coffee with his friends. In October 2022, Rany fell off his motorbike and injured his right arm. He visited the provincial hospital and was then transferred to a government hospital. He was unable to lift his right arm, but an X-ray showed nothing abnormal, and he was sent home. Several months later, still unable to lift his arm, he went to the army hospital, where doctors suggested that he consult with doctors at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. He has since been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in a loss of function and sensation, which is why Rany can't lift his arm. On April 25th, Rany will undergo brachial plexus repair surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only facility in the country where this treatment is available. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. After recovery, Rany should regain some function in his arm. Rany said: "I hope I will be able to use my right hand again and return to the army base to work."

Win is a 50-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his extended family in a village in Karen State, which is an area under conflict and violence. He and his wife have four children, and three grandchildren. Win, his wife, two sons and one of his sons-in-law are farmers, while his two daughters are homemakers. Win lost vision in his right eye in the middle of 2022. Two months after this occurred, the vision in his left eye blurred, until he could only perceive light. He was diagnosed with glaucoma in his left eye, and as a result of his impaired sight, he had to stop working. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of eye surgery for Win. On April 3rd, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will operate and, after recovery, Win will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I feel stressed and worried about my life," Win said. "I want to go back to work after my surgery.”

Un is a 61-year-old grandmother who dotes on her seven active grandchildren. She and her husband are rice farmers and have three sons and four daughters. One daughter lives with them and helps with housework and cooking. About one year ago, Un developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She is afraid to use her stove because she cannot see numbers or dials, and is afraid she might injure herself or her daughter. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Un learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours to seek treatment. On March 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery to implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Un said, "My eye feels cloudy and I can't go outside to help with the rice crops. I hope after surgery I can see more easily and go outside by myself."

Caroline is a 26 year old woman who lives in the Nairobi area with her husband and five year old son. Caroline is a casual laborer who washes clothes for her neighbors, while her husband is also a casual laborer at construction sites getting work whenever he can. Six years ago Caroline began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling of the neck, accompanied by regular headaches, increased heartbeat at times, and difficulty sleeping. The problem appeared to start with a small nodule in her neck, which increased in size during her pregnancy. She was ultimately diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid gland, which will need to be excised to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Luckily Caroline's friend, Teresia, who had a thyroidectomy supported by the Watsi community, brought Caroline to meet with doctors from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Now on February 28th Caroline will undergo a thyroidectomy at Nazareth Hospital, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $657, and Caroline and her family need your help to raise this money. If not treated, the goiter will continue to grow, causing more severe symptoms and potentially leading to thyrotoxicosis. “I thank my friend for bringing me to Nazareth. I also request for help so that I can be treated and get back my normal life. My family is just beginning, and I hope to be well to take care of my young family like other mothers,” said Caroline.

Queen is a sweet 11-month-old from Tanzania. She is the youngest child in her family of eight children. Queen is very curious and charming; when she was at our medical partner’s care center, she could not stop playing with the other children. Her family is from a remote part of Western Tanzania, and her parents farm maize and beans. Queen’s mother shared that the recent weather changes made it hard for them to cultivate maize, and they are now dependent on their cultivation of beans. The low harvest also means there are not enough surplus crops to sell and earn money to support the family’s basic needs. Queen has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Queen’s family was able to travel to our medical partner’s care center for assistance. On February 7th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery that will allow Queen to walk easily and wear shoes as she grows up. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $935 to fund this procedure. Queen’s mother says: “I am worried that my daughter will be so limited when she grows up. I hope she gets the treatment for her condition.”

Evas is a 45-year-old farmer from Uganda and a mom to three children. Evas and her husband separated many years ago. She lives with her parents and practices farming to help care for them. Evas has been experiencing swelling in her abdomen for quite some time. She recently began experiencing severe pain that makes it impossible for her to do her daily activities, so she visited our medical partner’s hospital. The doctors diagnosed her condition as uterine fibroids and shared that she needs surgery to finally heal. On January 19th, Evas will undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $219 to fund this procedure. Once recovered, Evas will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She shared: “I find it difficult to do my activities due to the condition. I will be very glad to have relief from this problem. I will resume farming after surgery.”

Sarin is a 63-year-old tuk-tuk driver from Cambodia. His wife works at a clothes factory, and they have a daughter. At home, Sarin enjoys watching the news on his phone. About a year ago, Sarin developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. It has become difficult for him to see his cellphone map to drive customers to the correct destination, so he can no longer work. He also cannot see things clearly and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places independently. When Sarin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly and resume his work. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Sarin said: "After this operation, I hope I will able to drive my tuk-tuk and earn money to support my family again."