Nabulu is a 2-year-old girl from Tanzania and the youngest of six children in her family. Her father is a livestock keeper, providing sustenance and income for the family. In February, there was an accident in which Nabulu suffered severe burns from boiling milk. The family rushed Nabulu to the hospital, where she received two weeks of intensive wound care. As her wounds began to heal, burn scar contractures formed around her arms, severely limiting her range of motion and functionality. The scars on her elbows and wrists have left her unable to perform basic activities, hindering her ability to explore and learn. Nabulu’s parents, aware of their limited resources, were hesitant to seek treatment for the contractures until they learned about the positive impact of our medical partner’s work from a former patient. Touched by the transformation they witnessed, Nabulu’s family reached out for help, hoping to provide Nabulu with a brighter future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Nabulu receive treatment at their care center. On December 13th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the functionality in her arms. AMH is requesting $639 to fund this procedure. Nabulu’s mother said: “I hope my daughter won’t have to live with these defects throughout her life. I hope this treatment will bring about a positive change.”

Providence is a confident and outspoken teacher. She is a mother of four children, all currently studying, with the eldest in grade 6 and the youngest in grade 2. Growing up, her dream was to become a doctor. However, during her senior school vacation, she lost her father, who was the breadwinner. This setback hindered her from achieving her dream because she no longer had anyone to pay her school fees. Fortunately, her paternal uncle took her to a teachers' college, where she graduated as a grade 3 teacher. She works as a teacher at a Primary School along with her husband. They reside in a traditional three-room semi-permanent house made of mud and reeds. Providence is currently expecting her fifth child. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section so they can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Providence undergo a C-Section on December 19th. This procedure will cost $252, and Providence's family needs your support. Providence says, "We as a family have a lot of dependents, school fees are still a challenge, and yet our income is so limited, I appeal to you for support for the success of my delivery."

Lay is an energetic 84-year-old. Since her beloved husband passed away 10 years ago, Lay has lived alone in Kampong Cham province, near her sister. For many years, she and her husband tended rice paddies in their province, but she is now retired and spends her days listening to monks chant on the radio or visiting with her sister. One year ago, Lay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. As she finds it difficult to take walks outside, she often stays alone in the house and feels very lonely. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. 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 Lay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On February 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said: "I hope after surgery, I can go outside again and grow vegetables in my garden to eat."

Pich is a 61-year-old farmer. He has three sons, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren. Pich lives with his wife and likes to listen to the news and monks praying on the radio. Five years ago, Pich developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Pich learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Pich says, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can see my grandchildren well and can visit the pagoda by myself."

Salume is an elderly farmer who grows coffee and bananas alongside her husband. They have five adult children who also work as farmers. Salume shared that their income is only enough to meet their daily needs. For about six months, Salume has been experiencing lower back pains and bleeding, which has affected her output on the farm as she cannot bend for prolonged periods. She visited the hospital for anemia, but doctors determined she has abnormal uterine bleeding and an endometrial polyp with a premalignant cervical lesion upon further testing. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is helping Salume receive treatment. On December 28th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at the care center. Once recovered, Salume will resume her daily activities free of pain. AMHF is requesting $219 to fund Salume’s procedure. Salume shared, “You will really have done a great job making my surgery possible, and I hope God will bless you for saving a life because the pain I have passed through is really too much.”

Mark Gabriel is a two-year-old boy from the Philippines. He loves singing the alphabet and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. He is the oldest son of his parents. His father works as a call center agent, while his mother is a stay-at-home mom. Mark Gabriel was born with a birth condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needed to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Mark Gabriel receive treatment. On December 8th, he will undergo colostomy closure surgery to correct his condition. After his recovery, Mark Gabriel will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Now, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is requesting $1,279 to cover the total cost of Mark Gabriel's procedure and care. Mark Gabriel's mother shared, "after his surgery, we hope that he will live a life without carrying a colostomy bag."

Patrick is a 31-year-old laborer and the fourth born child in a family of eight children. He grew up with his mother and siblings, and sadly, his father passed away when he and his siblings were young. He is married and he and his wife have three children, including two children in public primary school and another who is not yet school aged. He makes a living by digging and weeding on farms. His wife works as a casual laborer, but currently stays at home with their youngest child. The family has a small piece of land where they grow maize, beans, and potatoes for the family's consumption. Recently, Patrick was hit by a motorbike. He injured his right foot in the accident and was taken to a local clinic where an x-ray was taken and a cast was applied. However, over the next few days, his leg became swollen and he was in pain, so he visited a hospital for further evaluation. He was diagnosed with a complex distal tibia fracture and requires surgery. He is currently using crutches because walking is difficult. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On December 23rd, Patrick will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help the fracture in his leg to heal properly. After his foot heals, he will be able to return to work. Now, he needs help raising $1,079 to fund his procedure and care. Patrick shared, "I kindly ask for treatment so that I can go back to my daily activities for I'm the breadwinner for my family."