Sokhea is a 45-year-old rice and crop farmer who has five sons, two daughters, and one grandchild. She likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV and chat with her relatives in her free time. Five years ago, Sokhea developed a pterygium in each eye, causing her blurred vision and redness. She did not feel comfortable working or traveling. Sokhea traveled for three hours with her son to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On December 26, eye surgeons at CSC removed the pterygium from each eye to allow Sokhea to see clearly again. Now, CSC is requesting $148 to fund this procedure. "I hope my eye surgery is successful," says Sokhea, "so that I can continue my work on the farm and go anywhere comfortably."

Heang is a 63-year-old woman with two sons, three daughters, and six grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Heang developed a pterygium in each eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and discomfort. Heang traveled for four hours with her son to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On December 26, eye surgeons at CSC removed the pterygium from each eye to allow Heang to see clearly again. Now, CSC is requesting $148 to fund this procedure. "I hope my eyes feel more comfortable," says Heang, "so that I can do any kind of work and go anywhere outside easily."

Meet Fatuma, a 39-year-old woman who lives in Uganda with her husband and six children. Both she and husband are farmers. They use their income to pay for their children's primary school education. In 2012, Fatuma developed a swelling on her right armpit. She was diagnosed with a lipoma, a fatty lump between the skin and underlying muscle. She was advised to undergo surgery, but she could not afford treatment. The swelling grew in size, becoming so big that she could not lift heavy items or dig. Fortunately, Fatuma visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On December 7, surgeons removed the lipoma. $196 will cover all medical expenses associated with this procedure, including a three-day stay in the hospital. After recovery, Fatuma hopes continue farming to grow food and support her family.

Akugizibwe is a single mother of three daughters and one son. She lives with her children in Uganda. Akugizibwe sells secondhand clothing to support her family. Akugizibwe lived with a painful abdominal swelling for 20 years. Three years ago, she visited a hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. Part of her intestine was protruding through her abdominal muscles. She was advised to undergo surgery, but she could not pay for treatment. Akugizibwe's pain grew, preventing her from bending over, lifting heavy items, and walking long distances. Her condition affected her ability to work, because she needed to lift heavy luggage. Fortunately, Akugizibwe visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On December 7, she underwent a hernia repair surgery. $249 will fund the cost of the procedure, including three nights in the hospital. After recovery, Akugizibwe hopes to resume her business, so that she can support her family. She wants to pay for her children's education.

Asiimwe is a 16-year-old young woman from Uganda. In her free time, she enjoys listening to gospel music and visiting her friends. Asiimwe visited our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, when she was pregnant with her first child. Her doctors considered her pregnancy high-risk, so they recommended that she undergo a C-section delivery. On December 5, Asiimwe checked into the hospital to await delivery. $241 covers all of Asiimwe's medical expenses, including four antenatal visits, three nights in the hospital, and one postpartum visit. Asiimwe and Victor are subsistence farmers who grow potatoes, cassava, millet, beans, and maize. They are co-paying $8 to help cover the costs. Asiimwe is looking forward to nursing and caring for her baby. She hopes to continue farming to support her child’s needs and education. “May God bless the donors who are supporting my safe delivery," shares Asiimwe. "I am looking forward to going back home with a healthy baby.”

Meet Gloria, a mother from a village in Uganda. She visited our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, when she was expecting her second child. Because she delivered her first child by C-section, her doctors decided that she should undergo another C-section. On November 14, Gloria checked into the hospital to await delivery. Gloria works as a farmer with her husband, Wilber. They own their own land, but they also work on other farms. Wilber picks tea in the community to earn money to buy necessities, such as soap and salt. When she is not working, Gloria enjoys playing with her three-year-old son and watching him play with his friends in the community. Gloria has contributed $4 to her treatment costs. She needs help to raise an additional $241, which will fund antenatal and postpartum care, in addition to assistance while she is in labor. Gloria told our medical partner that she was looking forward to raising her new baby daughter and eventually sending her to school. “Thank you so much for the help with my safe delivery," she says. "It means we will not have to sell the little land we have for this service. God bless you."

Meet Mugizi, a 27-year-old father who lives with his wife and two children in Uganda. Two years ago, Mugizi began to have painful swellings in his abdominal area. He went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernias, protrusions of intestinal tissue through the abdominal wall. He was advised to undergo surgery. Without treatment, Mugizi was at risk of developing a strangulated hernia, which happens when the protruding tissue loses blood circulation. This can lead to further health complications and even death. Fortunately, Mugizi underwent a hernia repair surgery on November 30. During surgery, doctors surgically repositioned the protruded intestinal tissue and repaired the tear in his abdominal wall. After a few weeks of recovery, Mugizi will be able to return home free of pain. Mugizi and his wife work as farmers. They need help to raise $249 for his surgery. After recovery, Mugizi plans to work hard to take care of his family.

Robina is a 26-year-old woman from Uganda. She visited our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, when she was expecting her third child. Because she delivered both of her first two children by C-section, her doctors decided that she needed to undergo a third C-section to ensure a safe delivery. On November 11, Robina checked into the hospital to await delivery. Robina and her husband, David, are both subsistence farmers who grow beans, bananas, and maize. They also work on other farms to earn money to support their two sons. However, they need help to raise $258 to fund Robina's care. Robina and David enjoy watching their two boys play happily. In her free time, Robina enjoys meeting with other women in the community to discuss important issues. Robina told our medical partner that she hoped her third child would be a daughter. “I want to thank the people supporting my delivery,” she says.

Ma Nyein is a 42-year-old woman who has lived in a village in Burma her whole life. She lives with her parents, her 18-year-old son, and her seven-year-old nephew. Her daughter moved to Bangkok seven years ago to work in a food shop. Eight months ago, Ma Nyein stepped on a loose plank in the floor. The piece of wood swung up and hit the left side of her head. Soon, her left eye grew swollen and bruised. She began to experience numbness and pain in her head. She visited several healthcare centers, but all she received were painkillers. Ma Nyein's son, an eighth grader, left school to take care of her. Her condition also forced to her stop her sewing business. Finally, Ma Nyein came to our medical partner's care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), in October of 2016. She was seen by an eye surgeon and underwent a CT scan on October 19. The results should give her medical team a clearer picture of her condition. Now, Ma Nyein needs $414 to fund this scan. "I would like to get well soon. I wish to open a shop at home to sell dried food and the clothes I made," shares Ma Nyein.

Josphat is a 25-year-old father from Kenya. He operates a motorcycle taxi business, and his wife works at home. The family lives in a two-room house in their ancestral land. This is a relatively dry region of the country, where agriculture is unreliable. On Christmas of 2016, Josphat fell from from his motorcycle. He was not wearing a helmet, so he sustained head injuries. He was brought to our medical partner's hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital, where he received first aid and underwent a CT scan. Since then, Josphat has experienced a headache, and his eyes have swollen. He has spent two weeks in the hospital, which has prevented him from working and providing for his family. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo a craniotomy and frontal fracture repair on January 6. These procedures will repair the injuries in his skull. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,495 to fund this treatment. “I want to be well," says Josphat, "and to continue to provide for my family who need me."

Sharon is a mother from rural Uganda. She and her husband, Moses, have two sons. Sharon visited our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, when she was pregnant with her third child. Sharon's two sons were both delivered via C-section. Because she was past term, her doctors decided to perform an elective C-section to deliver her new daughter. Sharon checked into the hospital on November 29 to await delivery. Sharon and Moses are small farmers who grow bananas, corn, and coffee. They also keep poultry and collect eggs. Sharon enjoys teaching her sons how to farm. During her free time, Sharon weaves tablecloths to sell to other members of her community. She told our medical partner that she planned to name her baby Ainembabazi, which means "God is gracious.” “I wish to thank the donors for the support they render to needy people," says Sharon. "Many mothers face challenges as a result of delivering at home. May God continue to bless you.”

Koeun is a 75-year-old farmer who is married and has one daughter. She likes to listen to the news on the radio and look after her grandchildren. In June of 2016, Koeun was in an accident that caused a fracture in her right forearm. She went to a local hospital for treatment, but her symptoms did not improve. It became difficult for Koeun to hold and carry objects, and she was in pain. Koeun traveled for three hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On January 4, surgeons at CSC performed an open reduction internal fixation procedure to allow Koeun to use her arm easily again. Now, she needs help to pay her $411 medical bill.