Sambo is a 63-year-old rice farmer who lives in Prey Veng province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer. In his free time, Sambo enjoys going to the pagoda to pray, and studying Buddhist books. In 2002, Sambo suffered a bad insect bite on his right ankle that caused severe swelling. After some weeks with no improvement, he underwent a drainage procedure at a local hospital. Unfortunately, the wound never healed properly, and continued to cause pain. In 2010, Sambo visited Children's Surgical Centre, at which time the doctors recommended a biopsy. Sambo became too nervous to undergo the procedure and went back home. Now thirteen years later, he has returned as the wound area has gotten worse over time. Sambo has now been diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma, a type of skin cancer which can form around chronic skin injuries. He experiences itchiness, pain, and difficulty bearing weight on his right ankle. If left untreated, the carcinoma may grow and cause further complications. Sambo traveled three and a half hours seeking treatment at Children's Surgical Centre. On October 18th, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and skin flap procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and help him feel comfortable again. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Sambo shared, "I hope I can finally stop this problem and go back to work on the rice farm."

Provia is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She did not attend school when she was young as her parents did not believe in education for girls. She later got married, but unfortunately, her husband died some twenty years ago. She was blessed with seven children (four boys and three girls) and raised each with love until they were mature enough to move out and now start their own families. She practices farming but this has become a challenge due to her illness. About thirty years ago, Provia began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling with on-and-off pain. She has applied some local herbs, which minimized the swelling, but her pain persisted, making swallowing difficult. She visited Rushoroza Hospital and a thyroidectomy was recommended to heal her condition, but she could not afford the treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is helping her to access the care she needs. Provia is scheduled to undergo thyroid removal surgery on November 25th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure cost $333; she and her family need help raising money. Provia says, "I am praying for a successful surgery. After I am well, I'll continue with my farming."

Jacinta is a 45-year-old woman who works as a small-scale farmer and her husband is a private primary school teacher. They have been married for 26 years and together have five children. Their oldest child is 25 years old and has completed university, and their youngest is 11 years old and in primary school. They shared that they have struggled but managed to raise school fees for their children through farming. They own a four-room old mud house where the main source of energy is firewood. Three years ago, Jacinta began experiencing troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck. The swelling has grown and has become painful. She visited Kabale Referral Hospital and surgery was recommended but she missed a couple of appointments, got discouraged, and gave up. A friend recently referred her to Rushoroza Hospital for help. Jacinta has been diagnosed with a nodular goiter, an enlarged thyroid gland with cells that have grown into a lump. In addition to the mild pain, Jacinta also experiences periodic airway obstruction which is very concerning for her and her family. Jacinta is worried about the future if she is not treated and has been told she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jacinta to receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 25th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Jacinta says, “I pray for a successful surgery so that I may look and feel my normal self again. I will continue with my farming once I am recovered.”

Zin is a 17-year-old student who lives with her parents and older brother. She is in eighth grade but stopped her schooling six months ago due to her deteriorating health. Her father is a carpenter, and her mother is a homemaker. Her older brother works at a furniture factory. Zin enjoys dancing in her free time. In June 2022, Zin started to experience persistent coughing. She also occasionally felt tired, which worsened when she laid down. Due to this symptom, she had difficulty sleeping at night. She received medications at a clinic, but they only helped her temporarily. In April 2023, both of Zin's legs became swollen, so they sought medical care. The cardiologist performed an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest X-ray, and diagnosed Zin with mitral valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to rheumatic heart disease. This means that the valves of her heart are not properly closing. On July 21st, doctors with our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) will perform heart surgery on Zin, replacing her mitral and tricuspid valves. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure. Her father shared, “I am thankful I got in contact with you. It is a blessing to receive help from you. I wish you the best. I am also happy for my daughter because she is so lucky to receive such support. It is impossible for us to pay for her treatment without your help.”

Sokhon is a 49 year-old soup seller. She moved from a rural province to the capital Phnom Penh around 20 years ago, when she first got married. Her husband is a rickshaw driver, and together they have three daughters. One daughter is recently married, and the other two are in their final years of high school. Sokhon sells soup from a street cart. In her free time, she enjoys sleeping and watching Cambodian sitcoms. Around two years ago, Sokhon had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sokhon experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and persisitent ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear and she experiences constant discomfort. Sokhon traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 14th she will undergo left ear surgery. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She shared, "I hope I can go back to work and speak clearly with my customers, friends, and family."

Aye is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her family, and recently stepped away from work due to health concerns. In her free time, Aye enjoys making traditional Burmese food. Since March, Aye has been experiencing bloating, a sense of fullness in her stomach, fatigue, and weakness. After seeking out medical care, Aye was diagnosed with a right ovarian tumor. Doctors recommended she undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure wherein surgeons will remove her uterus. If left untreated, Aye's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for future health complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help. Aye is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 13th at BCMF's care center. Now, BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Aye will no longer experience discomfort and can live more confidently. Aye said, "Since I was diagnosed with this condition, I cannot work. So, I have no income. I feel sorry that my niece's family has to support me despite their financial problems. However, I now feel relieved that this organization [BCMF] will support my treatment."

Ly Seang is a six-year-old first grader from Cambodia, where she lives in a rural village with her parents and her newborn baby brother. Her dream is to become a nurse when she grows up. Ly Seang was born with a mass on her right ear. The mass has begun to cause her embarrassment and makes her uncomfortable when meeting new people. Ly Seang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 2nd, surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the mass. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking your help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. After this procedure, Ly Seang should live more comfortably and happily. Ly Seang's father said: "I just want my daughter to feel happy and not worry anymore."

Yesica is an 8-year-old girl who lives with her parents and 2 younger brothers in a mining city high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Yesica is in second grade and loves attending school and learning about science. Yesica was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Yesica needs surgery to heal this condition. Fortunately, our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance (ICA) can help. Yesica is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 11th, during which doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, she will be able to be more active and grow up to be a strong young woman. Yesica's family and ICA need help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure and her follow-up medical care. Her mother shared, "Our family is very hopeful that Yesica will be stronger and healthier after her surgery."

Grace is a 25-year-old nurse from Malawi. She the second-born in a family of six children and the only school graduate to date. She graduated from nursing college in 2022 and is now proudly a registered nurse. Currently, she is unemployed, and all her younger siblings are in school. Grace's father is a builder who works in one of the government departments, and her mother is a homemaker. Grace started having pain in her neck back in 2013. In October, the pain increased, affecting both shoulders, and the swelling on her neck grew. On November 11th, Grace met the surgeon who confirmed the diagnosis of a goiter and the need for a surgical procedure called a thyroidectomy, which is the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Grace was referred to our medical partner's program due to financial instability. Grace believes that the surgery will help her get back to everyday life and that she can actively search for employment. Grace said, "I just want to get rid of the pain and tumor so that I can be active in job searching."

Kiiza is a small-scale farmer and an elderly widow, who lost her spouse about 50 years ago. She has six children who are all married and now self-employed. She currently survives through farming in her local village, although her age and health condition limits her physical capacity to do so. She appeals for your support to improve her health in her old age and alleviate the financial burden that comes with medical treatment. Since last August, Kiiza has had a supra-umbilical hernia. She has been experiencing anterior abdominal pain and swelling which has significantly impacted her daily life. She can no longer engage in physical activities such as digging her field and washing her clothes, and even sleeping has become a challenge due to the discomfort she experiences. This condition has thus not only affected her health but also her ability to work and support herself financially. Without medical treatment, she faces the risk of intestinal obstruction, which could severely impact her quality of life. Fortunately, on April 12th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Kiiza's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Kiiza says, “I have lost the power to do my activities due to this condition. I hope after complete recovery with your support I'll be able to get back to my normal life.”

Tharith is a 38-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, who is a construction worker, and their three children. At home, he likes to watch the news and chat with his neighbors. Tharith has had ear issues since he was a child. Over time, he has lost hearing in both ears, making it difficult for him to communicate with others. Recently, he experienced an ear infection that caused the eardrum in his left ear to perforate. This has led to increased pain as well as tinnitus, sometimes affecting Tharith's ability to work on the farm. Tharith traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 14th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Tharith said, "I hope my ear will get better, my hearing will improve. I am afraid this illness might give me brain problems."

Sophea is a 27-year-old father of two from Cambodia. He lives in a small village with his wife and two sons. Sophea and his wife plant and harvest vegetables to sell from their street cart and provide food for their family's consumption. Twelve years ago, Sophea developed an ear infection that caused a cholesteatoma, or abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind his ear drum. As a result, Sophea experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear at home and with his customers. Sophea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 6th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $926 to fund this procedure, which covers all medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sophea also contributed $100 towards his care. Sophea shared that he hopes this surgery will relieve him of symptoms and allow him to finally be able to hear again.