Mugabirwe is a small scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother to three children, one girl married, the next boy dropped from school while the last son still studying. She practices small scale farming to earn a living and maintain her family since her husband disappeared and left his family in 2003. She currently lives at her parental home together with her children. Ten years ago, Mugabirwe has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and back pain. She has been diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids. 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 Mugabirwe's surgery. On September 17, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mugabirwe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mugabirwe says “l pray that am helped and relieved of this pain so that I can continue with my cultivation.”

Rebecca is a two-week-old baby girl from Tanzania who was born with spina bifida. She was delivered in a local hospital and referred to the district hospital for better management. Rebecca has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Rebecca has been experiencing a swell on her back. Without treatment, Rebecca will experience severe physical and developmental delays. She had surgery recommended but her family was not able to raise the money needed. Rebecca's parents were referred to our facility by a friend where she was enrolled in the program for surgical funding. Rebecca's parents are peasant farmers. Their reliance on small scale farming limits their ability to raise sufficient funds for her treatment. They appeal for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Rebecca that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure will drain the excess fluid from Rebecca's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Rebecca will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Rebecca’s mother says, “our daughter needs this surgery but the cost if very high for us to afford please help us.”

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.

Ei is a 31-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and two younger sisters in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Division. Her mother and her youngest sister, who dropped out of university to work, are vendors who sell vegetables in the street market. Ei’s other sister is in her final year of university. Ei used to help her mother sell vegetables but stopped five years ago because of her health condition. Ei was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ei feels tired and she cannot walk long distances and has difficulty climbing stairs. In addition to feeling tired, she has difficulty breathing and experiences heart palpitations. Due to the lack blood flow, her lips, toes and fingers are blue especially when she cannot breathe well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ei. The treatment is scheduled to take place on November 7th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Ei said, “I want to have surgery soon so that I can work, and so that our family will have enough money. Now, my mother cannot work while she accompanies me to the hospital. Only my youngest sister works, and we are in debt now”.

Hoeun is a 63-year old security guard from Cambodia. He has two children and two grandchildren, and enjoys watching Khmer dramas on television in his spare time. Three months ago, Hoeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision, pain, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 02, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Hoeun said, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to see clearly and can return to my work as a security guard at the factory."

Luka is a 16-year-old student from Malawi. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends. Since 2015, Luka has been living with a painful hernia, making it difficult for him to enjoy his daily activities or walk long distances. Luka is currently scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on July 20. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. After his surgery, Luka is expected to make a full recovery. He is excited to return to school to play and continue learning.

Martha is a 17-year-old girl living with her aunt and two siblings in Kenya. Martha enjoys school, but had to stop attending so she could work alongside her aunt, selling vegetables, to help support the family. In December of last year, Martha was severely burned on her right hand and torso. Unable to get adequate healthcare, her burns did not heal properly, making it difficult for her to work and take care of the household. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,176 to fund Martha's burn treatment procedure, which will be performed on July 17. After her recovery, Martha will be able to use her hand more freely and live more comfortably. Martha is excited for her operation and says, “I would want to be treated and trust God that a well-wisher will come and educate me."

Alex is a cheerful one-year-old boy from Kenya. He has a lovable smile and three older siblings. His parents work as subsistence farmers to support their family. When Alex was born, his parents noticed that he had an abnormally large head that seemed to grow at a faster rate than his body. Seeking treatment, they visited a local hospital where Alex was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid builds up in the brain resulting in increased intracranial pressure, delayed brain development, and permanent brain damage. From there, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, for further treatment. On July 3, Alex will undergo brain surgery to drain the excess fluid from his head. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $685 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. “It is hard to raise the required funds for my son’s surgical care. We appreciate any help,” says Alex’s mother.

To the donors helping her, Santa would like to say, “Thank you, and may the Lord give you everything you need.” A 38-year-old woman from Uganda, Santa has been having lower abdominal pain for the past year. This has seriously impacted her day-to-day life. As a result of the discomfort, Santa hasn’t been able to farm her land as much. Because she is the sole provider for her six children, her family has not had as much food to eat as they usually do. Recently, Santa traveled 36 hours by bus from her village to Bwindi Community Hospital, our medical partner's care center. There, she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. Santa needs a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove the cancerous lesions in her cervix. While she is under anesthetic, the doctors will also examine whether the cancer has spread and decide whether she will require any further treatment. Santa cannot afford to pay for this operation. But we can help. For $321, we can sponsor her surgery on November 2, as well as the related lab tests, medications, and five-day hospital stay. When she has recovered from her surgery, Santa looks forward to getting back to farming her onions and cassava, and to selling this produce to support her family.

David is an outgoing 49-year-old father of six who loves attending church, socializing around his village, and listening to the radio. Although he is a trained tailor, he makes his living by growing rice, beans, maize, and coffee on his own land. About a month ago, David noticed a swelling on his chest. When it began to cause him pain, his doctors recommended that he have the mass removed. On January 5, David will undergo a mass excision at our medical partner's hospital, Bwindi Community Hospital, in Uganda. David has contributed $6 of his own money to fund this procedure, but he needs help to raise an additional $196. David is thankful for your support. “With school fees and other expenses, the cost of the surgery was too much for me," he says. "I want to send my sincere thanks to the donors for their help. I am very grateful.”

Vailet is an 18-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the second child in a family of six. When Vailet was young, her family noticed something wrong with her right foot. She had clubfoot, but her family never sought treatment. Vailet was never able to wear shoes. Recently, an outreach team told Vailet's family about available treatment. They visited our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. On December 31, Vailet underwent corrective clubfoot surgery. Vailet's parents are farmers, but they cannot afford healthcare. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,160 in funding. "When my foot straightens," says Vailet, "I hope that I will be able to wear shoes for the first time."

Samin is a 64-year-old rice farmer who is married and has two sons, four daughters, and eleven grandchildren. She likes to join ceremonies at the pagoda and listen to monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Samin developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, itchiness, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going anywhere outside. When Samin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 21, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Samin will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope I can see everything more clearly," says Samin, "so that I can do my work as a farmer easily, and I can go to the pagoda by myself."