Kemirembe is a 60-year-old woman. She and her daughters are farmers, and they rely on a small banana plantation left by her husband before he passed away. She supplements the income with casual labour from other places when available. Nine months ago, Kemirembe started experiencing abnormal bleeding and pain. The pains have limited her ability to work, since she is unable to bend over. Kemirembe was referred to Nyakibale Hospital from a local health center, where she was diagnosed with uterine myoma. Doctors recommend she undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. However, Kemirembe is not able to afford the cost of care, and she appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Kemirembe's surgery. On March 9th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Kemirembe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain, and she will no longer be at risk of complications like anemia. Kemirembe shared, “I was afraid that I would die because of the abnormal bleeding I was experiencing, but I hope with your support that I will now receive my surgery and continue with farming in good health.”

Baby of Magdalena is a 1-month-old baby girl and the only child to her young parents. Both of her parents are small-scale farmers of maize and vegetables. Her father also seeks casual labour jobs on construction sites to help supplement their family's income. Baby of Magdalena was brought in as an emergency case seeking treatment at ALMC Hospital after being born with spina bifida and congenital malformation of her lower limbs. When she was delivered, the clinic doctors covered the spina bifida area with saline gauze, which led to wound contamination and put her at risk of infection. Once she arrived at ALMC Hospital, Baby of Magdalena was scheduled for spina bifida repair to help save her life and ability to use her lower limbs. Given the urgency of her situation, she was able to get funding to cover this surgery, and it was successful in preventing infection. However, Baby of Magdalena has now developed hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. This could potentially cause brain damage and cause physical and developmental delays. Now, she needs to have ETV surgery, but her parents cannot afford the treatment cost due to financial challenges. They appeal for financial assistance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Baby of Magdalena that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 15th and will drain the excess fluid from Baby of Magdalena's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Baby of Magdalena will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Baby of Magdalena's mother shared, "My baby’s head is increasing in size and she needs surgery, but we cannot get that amount of money. Please help us.”

Angel is a beautiful 11-year-old girl from Kenya. Her family is from Nairobi county, and she is the only child in her family. She lives with her grandparents, as her mother is single and ill. Angel has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Angel to receive treatment. Angel traveled to visit AMH's care center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 22nd. Now, AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Angel's procedure. After surgery, Angel will be able to stand and walk like other children. Angel's grandmother shared, “we will be grateful if you can give Angel back her smile and she can enjoy life like other children. Thank you very much.”

Meet Ivelia! At two years old, Ivelia is the second born in her family of five in Guatemala. She enjoys playing with her siblings and often takes care of her youngest brother. Her mother cares for the home and the children while her father works as a day laborer. Recently, Ivelia has begun to become unresponsive to sounds. “She is having issues forming words, and her mother worries that if it continues without some intervention she will not learn how to speak,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. “She needs testing and speech therapy now to prevent permanent damage to her ability to communicate with others.” The speech therapy that Ivelia needs costs $386, more than the family can afford while meeting their basic needs. Ivelia will be provided with a case manager to provide her speech therapy, transportation to and from the centre, and the medication to go along with the therapy. “This therapy will provide Ivelia tools to communicate with her family and siblings, as well as the necessary testing to determine if she is having difficulties due to hearing loss, brain damage, or another complication that may be preventing her from developing her speech,” explains WK. “If hearing loss is detected, it will allow us to take the next steps in providing her with additional care.” Ivelia’s mother is dedicated to ensuring her daughter develops to her potential, but does not have the financial means to do so. “Help me help my child,” she shares.

Mi Mi, a 48-year-old woman from Burma, was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids--noncancerous growths that develop on the uterus and cause abdominal pain. While she and her husband run a small shop from their home, Mi Mi's condition limits her everyday activities. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) explains, “Mi Mi feels lethargic and finds it difficult to breathe. Also she finds it difficult to move around. When she feels pain she leaves her work and her husband has to prepare and look after the shop.” “When Mi Mi walks a lot she has to stop because it is difficult to breathe well," BBP continues. "She can eat and sleep well but she has discomfort. Mi Mi is so worried because this is the first time she has had a major medical problem and is scared of the surgery, but she knows that she needs it.” For $1,500, Mi Mi will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This operation will remove her uterus and cervix--preventing the uterine fibroids from redeveloping in the future. In addition to alleviating her pain, this procedure will prevent Mi Mi from developing anemia by stopping any excessive bleeding caused by her condition. Mi Mi--who enjoys praying in her spare time--plans to return to helping her husband run their small shop after her recovery.