Kikafunda is a farmer from Uganda. He is a married father to seven children, including five sons with three still studying and two driving motorcycle taxis. His two daughters are married and are now small-scale farmers. Kikafunda holds a degree in social work and social administration and has all along been working with NGOs, but lost his job. He now does farming where he earns from his banana plantation, but since he still has children studying, the money he earns from the plantation alone can’t sustain him and provide to the family. For some time now, Kikafunda has had a left inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him weakness and pain and prevents him from working. Fortunately, on September 8th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $230 to fund Kikafunda's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kikafunda told us: “I hope to get relief because I have really had this condition for so long and it has given me a hard time.”

Ketabaro is a farmer from Uganda. She is a single mother of three boys and one daughter. Her first son is a private school teacher, the second son is a motorbike taxi rider, and the last son is a street vendor. Her daughter is married and is now a small scale farmer. One year ago, Ketabaro started experiencing lower abdominal pain and bleeding. Upon seeking care, she was diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion. Ketabaro needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Unfortunately, this procedure is very costly for Ketabaro and her family. She supports her four children with the little money she earns from farming her banana and coffee plantation. Ketabaro appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Ketabaro's surgery. On October 27th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Ketabaro will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Ketabaro shared, “I hope to get healed from this condition and hope to get a new life after surgery. I will continue with farming after I have fully recovered.”

Nyi is 18-year-old agricultural day laborer from Thailand. He has lived with his grandparents in a village close to the border of Burma since he was 10 years old. His grandfather is a carpenter and earns 2,000 baht (approx. $66.7 USD) per month. His grandmother works as a daily laborer too and also earns 2,000 baht (approx. $66.7) in a month. Nyi had to stop working in March when he felt unwell. Previously, in his free time, he liked to play cane ball. On the evening of December 2nd 2019, Nyi and his brother went out together and they ended up in the hospital with a endotracheal tube for three days due to alcohol poisoning. One week after he was discharged, Nyi went back to work. About a month later, he developed shortness of breath and fatigue. By the time he went to Mae Sot Hospital in March 2020, the doctor diagnosed him with tracheal stenosis, a narrowing of the wind pipe. He then received a tracheostomy. The doctor referred him to Chiang Mai for further treatment, but Nyi was unable to go to Chiang Mai until September due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Doctors want Nyi to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $469 to cover the cost of Nyi's CT scan and care, scheduled for October 2nd. "Since I was told that spraying pesticides without protective gear is unsafe [a task he used to do all the time as an agricultural day laborer], I want to find some other type of work such as in construction once I recover," said Nyi.

Phalla is a 47-year-old mother of three from Cambodia. She has one son and two daughters, all of whom are farmers. Phalla works at a laundry shop and in her free time she likes to watch dramas on TV. Three months ago, Phalla developed a chalazion in her right eye, causing her itching on her lower lid, pain, and discomfort. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. It is difficult for her to see clearly and work comfortably. Phalla traveled for five hours with her daughter to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On December 3rd, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Phalla's symptoms should fully improve. She now needs help raising $187 to fund this procedure. Phalla said, "I really hope my eye stops itching so I can work normally."

Horn is a 55-year-old father of four. He has been married for 33 years and together they have one son, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. Horn's wife is also a farmer. In his free time Horn enjoys doing exercises, taking care of his grandchildren, and doing house work. When he was young Horn fell off a truck and never saw a doctor after the accident. Over time, his right hip pain worsened and Khmer traditional medicine treatments did not improve his condition. When Horn arrived at our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), doctors noted his leg lengths are unequal and his right leg has limited range of motion. He cannot walk and is in pain. Fortunately, at CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Horn of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for December 24th, and Horn needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Horn said, "I hope I can finally walk again after surgery so I can work without pain and support my family."

Mundanikure is a small-scale farmer from Uganda and a mother of five, none of whom were able to complete schooling. Mundanikure’s husband has another wife he lives with and he is the local council chairman of their village; however, Mundanikure shared that unfortunately he does not support their family for health needs. For the last year, Mundanikure has been experiencing abdominal pains and heavy bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $228 to fund Mundanikure's surgery. On August 14th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mundanikure will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Mundanikure shared, “I hope to live a normal life again through a surgery. I will resume farming so I can take care of and sustain my family.”

Oin is a 55-year-old farmer from Cambodia. Oin lives with her husband who is a policeman and she enjoys watching Khmer movies on TV when she has free time. Three years ago, Oin developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours with her husband seeking treatment. On November 23rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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. Oin said, "Because I do not have any children who can take care of me, it is important that I maintain my independence and my eyesight."

Kamusiime is a 44-year-old married mother to five children, four girls all married and are small-scale farmers and one boy who is still young and in school. She earns a living through practicing small scale farming and so does her husband. They mostly growing sorghum, millet beans, and cassava and because they have poor agriculture methods, she earns smaller yields and lowering her income. Kamusiima presented feeling a vaginal mass, excessively prolonged bleeding, and backache for more than two years. Her condition is associated with dizziness, epigastric pain, and headaches. This has made a poor quality of life and if not treated, Kamusiima's symptoms may persist. Kamusiima had never been to any hospital for treatment of her condition but having heard of Watsi's efforts at Nyakibale Hospital, she decided to come for support. She was examined and had a scan, where she was diagnosed with menopausal with cystocele and uterine prolapse. The doctor told her that she needs a trans-vaginal hysterectomy. She can’t afford the costs of her surgery and needs support. Kamusiime says, “I hope that my surgery will enable me to regain normal health once again.”

Chork is a 67-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has four children, five grandchildren, and in his spare time he enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and watching boxing on television. Five months ago, Chork developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chork learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 10th, 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 $211 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see better and can recognize things again. I also hope that I will be able to go outside on my own again and return to work."

Delvin is 8 months old and the fourth born child in his family. He was born healthy and his mom and him were discharged home from the hospital. However, once home, his mother noticed that he did not have a BM for the first three days and his she started noticing that his stomach was getting swollen. Delvin's parents returned to the hospital where they performed a small procedure and he was able to go to the bathroom normally. They were discharged back home and but the problem returned in just a few weeks. They returned to the hospital where an ultrasound and x-rays were done. Results showed that he needed a surgical review and possibly surgery to correct his anorectal malformation, so his family was referred to a bigger hospital for further management. Delvin's parents could not afford to go to the referral hospital but by luck as they were telling their neighbor about their situation, he connected them with one of our Medical Partner's doctors for help. Delvin's parents are both subsistence farmers, they do not earn enough to be able to afford Delvin's needed surgery. Delvin's mother says, "My son is suffering, his stomach swells and he cries out of discomfort and pain. Please help us get him this treatment so that he may be able to use the bathroom normally."

Twamubona is a 50-year-old mother of four, and her husband passed away in February 2019. Her children have not been able to continue with schooling so as they are now older, they still earn limited income. Twamubona developed a small, painless, movable (under the skin) swelling 10 years ago that has progressively increased in size over time. She worries to cover her head 24/7, especially when she is in public places or public and communal gatherings. She shared that she feels uncomfortable and inferior most of the time and has come to Rushoroza Hospital to seek medical advice. Twamubona is a small-scale farmer who produces enough vegetables for home consumption. She said, “The swelling greatly affects my social life. After the treatment, I will be able to comfortably interact with others in our village and therefore I will be able to learn new ideas that may help me to develop personally; including physically, mentally, and financially.”

Sopheak is a 45-year-old grocery seller from Cambodia. She has three children, two sons and one daughter. She likes to listen to the radio, watch television, and look after her children. When she was young, Sopheak 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, Sopheak experiences ear discharge, tinnitus, and ear pain. She finds difficulty in hearing clearly, and she has trouble communicating with her family members and her customers. Sopheak traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 11th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care.