Fausta is a 76-year-old mother from Uganda. She works as a small-scale farmer. Her husband died in 2021 and left her an old three-room mud house for shelter. All of her children ended their education after primary school class seven due to limited financial support except the youngest, who has proceeded to attain a diploma in teaching. He is 36 years old and a secondary school teacher. Fausta receives minimal support from her children. For five years, Fausta has had an epigastric hernia. She developed a small swelling above her navel that has grown over time. It was painless at first, but as more time passed, she started feeling pain and decided to seek medical attention. She can no longer carry on with her daily activities comfortably or put on tight clothes because she feels pain when anything touches the area. Surgery has been recommended, and fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Fausta is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on August 18th. AMH is requesting $170 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Fausta says, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I will continue with farming after complete recovery.”

Veasna is a 37-year-old man who has six siblings: two brothers and four sisters, and he lives with his parents, who work as farmers. Veasna underwent an accident many years ago in which he fell from a tree and shattered his arm, which resulted in a permanent physical disability. In his free time, Veasna likes to watch boxing on TV and spend time with his nephew. Two years ago, Veasna developed a cataract in his left eye, causing blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Veasna learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 10th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $229 to fund this procedure. Veasna shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see well again. I will be able to take care of myself and help my nephew and niece with schoolwork."

Meet Eliru, a 24-year-old man living in Uganda. He is a third year university student and the son of a single mother. “Eliru has one parent who is a peasant and struggles to pay his school fees,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Six months ago, Eliru developed a painful swelling in his right shoulder that he later learned was a lipoma, a benign tumor composed of fat tissue. Eliru’s lipoma is adversely affecting his day-to-day life: “he feels pain during lectures and this affects his studies,” says AMHF. The pain is also making it harder for Eliru to help his mother. “He cannot carry anything heavy,” AMHF states, “and this affects his ability to help his mother with domestic work at home.” AMHF explains, "Eliru cannot afford his treatment and wishes to be helped so that he can be well.” If the lipoma is not removed, it is likely that his lipoma will continue to grow and his pain will increase. For $120, Eliru will receive a surgery in which his lipoma will be removed. AMHF expects that after the surgery, the swelling will go down and Eliru will no longer be in pain. “I hope to be fine and well after the surgery,” shares Eliru, “and to be able to finish my studies.”