Ninsiima is a 38-year-old farmer and mother of six living in Uganda. To support her large family Ninsiima works as a farmer while her husband works as a teacher. Ninsiima has been living with a swelling in her neck for the past 11 years. Over time, the swelling has increased, making it difficult to breathe and speak. Despite her symptoms, Ninsiima never sought treatment because she knew she couldn't afford it. Finally seeking an evaluation, she was diagnosed with having an enlarged thyroid, which would have to be surgically removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $240 to fund Ninsiima's thyroid removal surgery, which will be performed on July 11. Ninsiima is excited for the procedure and says, “after this surgery, I hope to continue with farming for the betterment of my family.”

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.