“In the future I want to take care of my sons as best as I can," says Khin Htwe, a 42-year-old widow and mother. "I don't have any money of my own, so I really hope that once I am healthy I will be able to go back to work as a seamstress and provide for my sons' futures." Khin Htwe lives with her mother, brother, and three teenage sons in Burma. She currently lives with uterine fibroids, or growths of the uterus, which cause her bleeding, discharge, exhaustion, dizziness, trouble sleeping and a small appetite. Her condition also causes her distress and anxiety. “Khin Htwe is a very independent and resourceful woman and hates having to rely on other family members to support the cost of her medical treatment," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). "She has been very distressed by her condition and over the last four years she has become increasingly anxious. She is very hopeful that she will be able to get surgery soon.” For $1,500, BBP can provide Khin Htwe with a hysterectomy -- a surgery to remove the uterus. With this treatment, it is expected that Khin Htwe will no longer experience emotional or physical distress from her uterine fibroids. BBP adds, “She will be given a fresh breath of health and will be able to concentrate on her sons, ensuring that they have the best start in life she can give them."

"I really hope to get well so that I can work and provide for my family," says Anastacia. "I am trusting God to open doors for me to be able to have a grocery kiosk and a steady income." Anastacia is a 29-year-old single mother of three from Kenya, who supports her family by doing housekeeping services. She currently has an abdominal cystic mass that puts pressure on her uterus, causing her discomfort, pain, and an irregular menstrual flow. If left untreated, the mass could become cancerous. This could lead to a series of complications, including premature death. Anastacia has been unable to work full time due to her symptoms, and it has been hard for her to feed her family, let alone pay for hospital visits. She has one sister and two brothers who work as casual laborers, but they cannot help her financially. For $620, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, will be able to provide a curative laparotomy -- a surgical incision into the abdominal cavity. After surgery and recovery, Anastacia’s discomfort and pain is expected to end. She will be able to work and open up her grocery shop.

Jashuda is 32 and lives in Nepal with her husband, six children, and grandmother. She runs a small tea and snack shop, and also helps her family with farming. Three years ago, Jashuda had an accident that left a painful keloid scar on her hand. Although the keloid is benign, it causes Jashuda great discomfort and needs to be removed. Surgery for the excision costs $1,415. Following recovery, Jashuda’s pain will decrease, making it easier for her to run her shop and live a normal life!