James is a 17-year-old boy living with his father and seven siblings in Uganda. He enjoys studying science, and aspires to become a pilot, but can only go to school when his father is able to afford his school expenses. Recently, “James was hit by a car and has a fractured leg,” reports our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation (KF). Since the accident, he has not been able to go about his normal activities, and “until his leg is healed, he will not be able to work," his doctor adds. KF can help get James back to work through surgical repair of his fracture. During surgery, James’s bone will be aligned so that it can heal properly. Treatment will cost $138, which includes surgical fees and a three day stay at the hospital. After surgery, James can return to going to school, and helping out his father. “Thank you very much for the help. My father has a lot of expenses with so many children,” says James.

Balihabuka is 16 years old, and lives in Uganda with his family. Balihabuka is a Senior Three student in secondary school. Balihabuka came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with swelling and pain in his groin. He was diagnosed with acquired hydrocele, which causes pain and difficulty walking. “When he was still in Primary School and before he fell sick, he was doing well in athletics especially running long races and he used to get many awards,” AMHF says. “He was also very interested in football. Because of the pain he no longer plays; he only watches his friends play. In the future he wants to become a medical doctor.” For $215, AMHF will treat Balihabuka’s condition with hydrocele repair surgery. “We expect that after the treatment, Balihabuka will no longer be in pain and the swelling will be gone,” his doctor says. “If I get an opportunity to get treatment, I hope to resume my athletics and work hard to become a doctor as well,” Balihabuka says.

Lae Lae is a 34-year-old woman from Burma. About a year ago, Lae Lae moved from her village to find a better income and now sells vegetables in the local market. However, Lae Lae’s husband still works as a farmer where she used to live. Our medical partner, Burma Border Project (BBP), tells us that Lae Lae divides her time between her current town and where her husband is located, depending on her health. Recently, Lae Lae was diagnosed with two large cysts in her abdomen. BBP explains, "Lae Lae has back pain, the mass in her abdomen is palpable and painful – she feels like the mass is getting bigger all the time." In addition to the discomfort, Lae Lae’s condition causes her to constantly worry about her symptoms worsening. While she earns enough money to support her everyday needs, Lae Lae’s income is not enough to cover her medical expenses. $1,500 will fund a total abdominal hysterectomy, removing Lae Lae’s uterus, cervix, and painful abdominal masses simultaneously. In addition to relieving her current symptoms, this operation ensures that Lae Lae’s condition will not persist--giving her peace of mind for her future health. Lae Lae shares, "Once I have had surgery I will go back and work as a farmer again with my husband."

Htun is a 52-year-old mother of five children who lives with her family in Burma, and works hard around the family's farm, tending to the home and her loved ones. Several years ago while Htun was lifting something heavy, she felt a mass protrude from her vagina. She tells our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), that she "visited a local midwife, but the midwife did not know what her condition was. Htun did not receive any assistance from the midwife so she returned home and tried to use traditional medicine without any success." She has since been diagnosed with uterine prolapse, a condition that causes her uterus to protrude from her vagina, often times causing bleeding and pain. Htun is self conscious of her condition and says: "I don't want to go outside the house because when I am walking my uterus slips and protrudes." Even with this discomfort, she continues working around the house. Her husband grows and sells fruits and vegetables, and her daughter works in a factory. Despite that, "the combined income of the family is not always enough to cover the food costs," let alone her medical expenses. $1,500 will cover the cost of surgery to repair Htun's condition. After the surgery, "she will no longer feel embarrassed and will be able to resume other activities. Additionally, she will no longer have back pain or pain associated with the prolapse." "I want to be able to walk outside without being afraid," Htun adds.