Meble is a 52-year-old woman from Uganda. She was a mother of eight children, but tragically lost four of them. After her husband passed away in 2004, she has carried the full responsibility of raising her remaining children alone. She depends on small-scale farming for income, but due to her worsening condition, she can no longer engage in farm work. This has left the family in deep financial hardship. For the past five years, Meble has been experiencing troubling symptoms including painful abdominal swelling and persistent body weakness. What began as a small swelling gradually increased in size, eventually causing sharp pain whenever she sits, bends, walks, or performs even the simplest tasks. Despite visiting several health facilities in search of medical help, Meble did not receive the assistance she needed. Her condition continued to worsen, making daily activities almost impossible. With growing concern, her daughter encouraged her to travel to our medical partner's care center, Uganda Martyr's Ibanda Hospital, for a proper medical assessment. Meble has been diagnosed with epigastric hernia, a bulge of fatty tissue pushing through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. She needs to undergo surgery, but is unable to raise the funds needed for treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Meble receive treatment. On December 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery, relieving her symptoms and allowing her to live a healthier life. Now, Meble needs help to fund this $201 procedure. She says “I thank God for the gift of my life and for His protection. I have lived with this condition for a long time, and I pray that I may receive a successful surgery. After recovering, I hope to return to farming and work hard to support my family.’’

Deogratious is a 59-year-old father of three children from Uganda. He is a small-scale farmer and has been farming almost his entire life, until he was hindered by medical conditions that prevented him from continuing. His life has been defined by hard work, which has involved waking up very early in the morning to tend to his gardens. Deogratious recently noticed a swelling around his scrotal region. At first, due to his financial situation, he could not seek medical care and hoped that God would do a miracle for him. His situation highlights the challenges many individuals face in accessing medical care due to financial constraints. His health has deteriorated and the swelling increased since he was not treated for the condition. Meanwhile, his condition worsened and farming became too difficult. Concerned for his life, Deogratious took the little money he had and travelled to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital, where he was finally diagnosed with a bilateral hydrocele. On December 2nd, Deogratious will undergo surgery to address his symptoms, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund his procedure and care. Once completed, this treatment will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Deogratious says, "I pray for a successful surgery that would not only alleviate my physical discomfort but also enable me to continue providing for my loved ones."

Deogracious is a 72-year-old man from Uganda who practices small-scale farming with his wife. They have been married for 38 years and have four children: one son and three daughters. From a young age, Deogracious has loved football and is remembered throughout his village for his skill in playing the game. For ten years, Deogracious has had a right inguinal hernia that causes him to experience pain, inability to sit, stand, or bend for long periods, and other worrisome symptoms. Out of concern for his health, he visited the hospital, where the doctors diagnosed him; however, as the facility had no surgeon, he was referred to our medical partner's hospital for further management. There, he will undergo hernia repair surgery on December 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $230 to fund Deogracious's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Deogracious said: "I've lived a healthy life all my life. I've never been diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes like most people at my age. I thank God for that; however, this that came hit me so badly, and the doctor said surgery is needed, yet personally, my income can't enable me to raise the money I need. I really appeal for your support for the success of my surgery."

Srey Na is a 29-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and sells fish at the local market with her husband for a living. She and her husband have one son, who is seven years old and in first grade. Srey Na stays busy caring for her son, doing housework, and sewing clothes for her family. For the past two years, Srey Na has experienced ear pain and discharge, frequently accompanied by headaches and fevers. Recently, her symptoms have worsened, and she has experienced ringing in her ears and chronic headaches. She has trouble sleeping and her hearing has diminished in both ears. Srey Na has been diagnosed with chronic rhino-sinusitis and serous otitis media in both ears. This happens when tissue that lines the sinuses begins to swell, trapping mucus that typically flows through the sinuses and out through the nose. The trapped fluid can grow bacteria that can cause infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Srey Na receive treatment. On December 15th, she will undergo a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Now, Srey Na needs help raising $333 to fund her procedure and care. Srey Na shared, "I hope I will get ear health, stop the pain and infection, and have no headaches, so I can work and take care of my family."

Sareth is a 68-year-old mop maker. She has three sons, four daughters, and 11 grandchildren. Sareth's husband passed away many years ago, and now she lives with her youngest daughter, who sells fried noodles for a living. Two years ago, Sareth developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces. She is also worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go many places on her own. When Sareth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there seeking treatment. On February 28th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sareth shared, "I hope I can see well so I can take care of my grandchildren and return to my handiwork weaving mops."

Byarugaba is an elderly gentleman and father of nine children, with three daughters and six sons. Together with his wife, they cultivate bananas and coffee, which earns them a living. For several years, Byarugaba has had severe pain from a hydrocele, or a swelling in a sensitive area. The pain becomes severe when he tries to do strenuous activities such as digging, walking, or standing for a long period of time. At Nyakibale Hospital, doctors conducted a scan and diagnosed him with a right scrotal hydrocele. Byarugaba needs a hydrocelectomy to correct his condition and reduce the chances of further complications and pain. He appeals for financial support for his cost of care. Fortunately, on March 2nd, Byarugaba will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $146 to fund Byarugaba's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Byarugaba shared, “I look forward to being treated and continuing with my farm work without pain."

Khun is a 17-year-old from Cambodia. He enjoys listening to music, exercising, and he hopes to become a businessman when he gets older. Since 2015, Khun has experienced debilitating pain in both of his hips caused by osteoarthritis. He has to walk with crutches and dropped out of school because he was unable to sit in class for long periods of time. Fortunately, Khun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Khun of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 5th, and Khun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. Khun's mother said, "I hope that after surgery, my son will be able to sit and walk without any difficulties, and I won't have to worry about his condition anymore."

Hak is a 69-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has six children and ten grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Hak developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, irritation, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 30, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that my surgery is successful so I can help my family on the rice farm, help feed the cows, clean around the house, and go anywhere I want to on my own."