Edith is a 58-year-old woman from Uganda who practices small-scale farming to provide for her family. She and her husband have ten children, with their oldest being 36 years old. For the past two years, Edith has had a right inguinal hernia. The hernia is very painful and has grown in size over time. Due to the severe pain she experiences, Edith has visited different medical centers for treatment, but nothing has alleviated her symptoms. Fortunately, on September 15th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably and confidently! Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $170 to fund Edith's surgery. Edith says, "I pray that I may get well through surgery. I believe I will live a better and pain-free life. I will continue with farming after complete recovery."

Samnang is a 23-year-old army trainee from Cambodia. He lives in Kandal province with his parents and younger sister. Before his injury, Samnang was in boot camp for the Cambodian army. On March 5th, Samnang was in a motor vehicle accident, resulting in the paralysis of his left hand. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left 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 cause the loss of function and sensation. Currently, Samnang is unable to lift his arm and has had to pause his boot camp training as a result. Samnang traveled to Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which is the only facility in the country where brachial plexus injury surgery is available. On April 27th, Samnang will undergo surgery. After he has recovered, he should regain the use of his arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Samnang shared: "I hope I can go back to normal life like before the accident."

Pross is a 31-year-old mother of two from Uganda. She has a diploma in public administration and is an office attendant at Kabale University. Her husband runs a small retail shop in their village. They own a two-room permanent house for shelter. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Pross's children are 3 and 6 years old and she is currently expecting her third. Doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of her high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping Pross undergo a C-Section on July 24th. This procedure will cost $214, and Pross needs your support. Pross says, “I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue to work as an office attendant at Kabale University for the further development of my family.”

Vanis is a 60 year old small-scale farmer. She and her husband - who passed away in 2021 - had eleven children, of whom nine are still alive. Vanis had to leave school because of a lack of the fees necessary to remain in school, and of her children, only her youngest has been able to be educated. Over 20 years ago, Vanis began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small neck swelling that later started progressing in size. She initially thought it was a temporary condition, and resorted to using herbs, which did not help to relieve her symptoms. After delivering her first five children, she underwent a thyroidectomy, and she felt better. However, her symptoms recurred after she gave birth to six more children, and this time, the swelling was larger than it had ever been. She finds that she is unable to carry loads on her head, and she will occasionally experience difficulty breathing. Vanis has been diagnosed with a non-toxic, multinodular goiter, and she needs surgery to resolve her condition. Her family cannot afford to pay for her treatment, but our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has stepped up to help Vanis access the care that she needs. They are requesting $333 to fund Vanis' procedure, which is scheduled to take place on December 3rd, at Rushoroza Hospital, and which will ensure that Vanis' symptoms do not get worse over time. Vanis says: “I pray that I may be considered for treatment so that I may live a normal life once again. I will continue with farming as soon as possible.”

Saw Myo is a 14-year-old from Burma. He lives with his grandparents, parents, two sisters, and brother. His grandparents are retired. His father farms paddy and rubber trees on their land, while his mother is a homemaker. Saw Myo and his siblings are all in school, but Saw Myo recently had to stop attending due to a medical condition. Saw Myo has had a lump on his lower spinal cord since he was nine years old due to an injury from a slingshot. He received medicinal ointment from a traditional healer that helped with the stiffness and prevented further growth. However, Saw Myo fell off his bicycle a few years later, and the lump grew in size. His family took him to several clinics, and an X-ray indicated a potential spinal cord problem. The doctors recommended a computerized tomography (CT) scan, but due to COVID-19 policies, Saw Myo could not receive the scan. His parents continued to try and help Saw Myo receive treatment but learned that his condition could not be treated locally. Saw Myo's mother then contacted a neighbor who worked as a medic at a clinic in Burma and began raising money for his care. The doctors want Saw Myo to undergo an MRI, which is an imaging procedure that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce images of bodily organs. This scan will help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Saw Myo receive this treatment. On November 15th, he will undergo an MRI. BCMF requests $814 to cover the cost of Saw Myo's MRI procedure and care. Saw Myo's mother said: “We have been so worried since we saw the mass increasing in size. It was tiring to seek treatment in Burma, and we now have borrowed a lot of money without Saw Myo having received treatment."

Thou is a 69-year-old widow. She has one son who makes furniture in a local woodshop. Her husband passed away a long time ago, and until recently, she supported herself as a fruit seller in her neighborhood. At home, she likes to listen to movies on TV. One year ago, Thou developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Thou learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there seeking treatment. On February 28th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery I can see well and be more independent," shared Thou.

Neath is married with three sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her oldest daughter, and they all grow rice and mangoes to sell at the local market. Neath shared that she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and visit the local pagoda when she is able. Two years ago, Neath developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia and blurred vision. She has trouble doing household tasks and is frustrated with her inability to recognize faces. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. As a result, she is unable to go places on her own. When Neath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On January 18th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $229 to fund her procedure. Neath shared, "After surgery, I hope I will see better. I want to be able to go outside without help and take care of myself and my grandchildren again."

Rady is a 58-year-old farmer who is married and lives in a rural province of Cambodia. Seven years ago he went to a government hospital where they diagnosed him with bilateral perforated ear drums and suggested surgery. His family could not afford surgery so instead his wife purchased him hearing aids, but they are now broken. His conditioned has worsened over the years. Rady traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 3rd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Rady says, "I really hope my hearing will improve and all the ear discharge will stop."

Porn is a 47-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters, one son, and one grandchild. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio when she has free time at home. Four months ago, Porn developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Porn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that I can see better so I can return to planting rice and can go outside on my own," she shared.

Salong is a 23-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one older brother, and enjoys listening to music and reading books in his spare time. Two years ago, Salong was treated for a facial tumor, which was then surgically removed. He was then fitted with internal hardware to support healing of the tissue around his right orbital socket. Now, he experiences mild pain and blurry vision due to the hardware. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 28, Salong will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $214. Surgery will remove the hardware and will allow him to see clearly and breathe easily again. "I hope that I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to see clearly again," said Salong.