Kheang is a 50-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kandal Province with his wife, who is also a rice farmer. They have one daughter, who is married and has a son. In his free time, he enjoys caring for his ducks and chickens. Four months ago, Kheang had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Kheang experiences recurring ear discharge, mild ear pain, headaches, and hearing loss in his left ear. The chronic ear infection and perforated eardrum have affected his ability to hear clearly and caused recurring discomfort and discharge. These symptoms have made it more difficult for him to communicate with others, and carry out his daily activities comfortably. Kheang traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 10th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear, where surgeons will close the perforation. Kheang is able to contribute $100 towards the cost of his treatment, and needs help raising $263 more to fund the procedure. He said, “I hope the surgery will repair my eardrum, prevent the recurring infections and ear discharge, reduce my discomfort, and improve my hearing so I can return to my daily activities more comfortably.”

Six-year-old Siya is from India and lives with her parents and three siblings. Her father sells vegetables for a living, while her mother takes care of the home and the children. Two months ago, Siya suffered an electric burn. The wound healed, but it left behind a contracture: scar tissue has tightened and pulled the index finger of her right hand into a bent position. She can no longer straighten it fully. At an age when she should be learning to hold a pencil, draw, write her letters, and play freely, her hand is holding her back. Siya has been advised to undergo surgery to release the contracture. Without it, the scar can tighten further as she grows, and her finger may become permanently stiff. Fortunately, our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, can help. Siya will undergo surgery on October 9th, and she needs help raising $929 to fund her procedure and care. With timely surgery and follow-up care, Siya has a real chance of regaining the movement in her finger, so she can grip a pencil, write, eat, and dress herself. Siya's grandmother shared, “We are grateful that she is receiving this surgery.”

Oliver is a 48-year-old farmer. At just three months old, her father died and culturally, as was the practice then, her mother got married to her uncle, who raised her and her three sisters until they all grew up and got married. She went to school until Primary 7, but could not advance further due to financial challenges. At the age of 17, she got married and had six children. To make ends meet, she and her husband work as farmers, mainly growing food crops for home consumption and selling the surplus to earn income for the family. Her favorite meal is potatoes served with beans, a familiar and beloved dish among the Bakiga people of the greater Kigezi region in Southwestern Uganda. For over five years now, Oliver has been experiencing bleeding, lower abdominal pain, backache, and general body weakness. She first sought treatment at a local health center, where she was given medication, and then referred to our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Nyakibale Hospital, for further specialized care. Due to financial constraints, she did not go to the hospital, until one day she lost consciousness and was rushed to hospital. Upon examination, she was found to be anemic and was given a blood transfusion along with other medications, to which she responded well. Oliver has been diagnosed with post-menopausal bleeding, secondary to a premalignant cervical lesion. Unfortunately, she is unable to raise the money required for the surgery and therefore appeals for your support. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Oliver's surgery. On October 9th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Once recovered, Oliver will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Oliver says, “My health has been worrying this year, which has affected me in a way that I no longer attend to my farm. I always feel weak, but I hope with surgery, I will get better and will continue living a healthy and normal life.”

Gilbert is a 51-year-old guard from Malawi. He is married and has seven children. A year ago, Gilbert was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. He visited our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), after having abdominal pains. Gilbert shared that he started experiencing swelling episodes one year ago and immediately visited a local hospital for treatment. He was scheduled for surgery, but his blood pressure was too high. Doctors gave him medicine to control his blood pressure to prepare him for surgery. Gilbert is scheduled for surgery on June 10th, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund his procedure. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Gilbert says, "Kindly help me to get better in order to resume my responsibilities and concentrate on my work."

Sasa is a calm, gentle and hardworking 15-year-old boy from a village in Simiyu Region, Tanzania. He goes to primary school and is currently in Standard 5. Although he enjoys his classes, the daily commute to school is stressful and a challenge for him due to the condition he is living with. Sasa's mother primarily raised him after his father passed away. She later remarried, and Sasa now lives with his stepfather and siblings in a large family of 14 children. The family depends on farming maize and cotton for their living. Sasa was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition where both legs curve outward at the knees, also known as bowlegs. Several factors can cause this condition, including growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. The condition started early in Sasa's childhood and makes it difficult for him to walk long distances. He spends most of his days helping on the farm, but deep down, he wishes for a better life —one with a stable job that will allow him to provide for his mother. Sasa's family learned about our medical partner, Kafika House, through a village outreach team, and now he is full of hope that his upcoming surgery, a bilateral PTO surgery, will correct his legs and help him regain the ability to walk freely and pursue his dreams. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $810 to fund treatment for Sasa. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 7th, and will hopefully restore Sasa's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and significantly decrease his risk of future complications. Sasa says, "Thank you for this chance to have a better life. I hope the pain will go away, and I will be able to work harder in school and on the farm."

Alezi is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. She is a widow with five married children. Ten years ago, Alezi began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck that caused shortness of breath, frequent coughs, and an inability to work, climb steps, and carry items on her head. The symptoms worsened early this year, forcing her to visit the hospital. She was diagnosed with a goiter, which is an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Alezi receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 8th at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Alezi said, "I can't wait to see myself well again."

Grace is 54 years old and a farmer from Malawi. She is married with four adult children. Grace and her husband are small-scale farmers growing maize, cassava, and rice. One year ago, Grace started experiencing pain on her left inguinal side and has since been unable to work as before. The pains were later associated with on-and-off swelling that threatened her. Eventually, she visited the hospital, where a diagnosis of hernia was made. Grace was told to wait for the surgery date while at home. As time passed, the swelling caused more discomfort and pain. Grace was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Fortunately, on July 2nd, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Grace's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Grace said, "Kindly help me to get rid of my problem that has affected my daily activities to enable me to live a peaceful life."