Thorn is a 60-year-old retired fish seller who lives in Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and three grandchildren. Sadly, her husband passed away several years ago. Since that time, her oldest daughter has been working in a nearby garment factory to help support the family. Before retiring to provide full-time care for her son, Thorn spent several decades working in the local market selling river fish and clams. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and listening to monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Thorn developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own. When Thorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 2nd, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Thorn shared: "I hope I can have surgery so I can see around my house to do chores, and my family won’t worry about me anymore."

Juliet is a 62-year-old farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of 7 children. Five of the children have completed schooling, while two are currently in school. Juliet and her husband practice small-scale farming. Ten years ago, Juliet began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling, fatigue, and swallowing difficulties. She was diagnosed with multinodular goiter. She went to Nyakibale for care and was recommended surgery as treatment. Without treatment, she is at risk of further complications from the goiter, which might worsen due to existing hypertension. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Juliet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help to raise the funds. Juliet says “I am the lady who tries my best to have good health but this time I am poor enough to afford anything in regard to surgery. I pray that you consider me to have my health restored and I live well through farming.”

Teresia is a homemaker with five children between ages six and 26. Her husband is a casual laborer who depends on manual jobs to earn a living for their family. They live together in Thika, a town in south-central Kenya, in a three roomed rental house. In 2017, Teresia began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing. She was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. She has made several trips to different healthcare facilities that have exhausted her savings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Teresia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 19th at AMH's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The procedure will cost $686, and she and her family need help raising money. Teresia shared, “I have had treatment but I keep feeling unwell. This time I am hopeful all will be well, but first I need this surgery."