Zin is a 37-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, son and two daughters in Myawaddy, Karen State. Her 17-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter go to school while her youngest daughter stays home as she is still very young. To make a living, Zin used to make different Burmese snacks and sell them at the nearby villages. But she recently stopped working due to her health condition. Sometimes, her husband works as a day labourer but Zin said she does not know how much he earns from that. Six months ago, Zin started to experience stomach-ache so she went to a clinic. The doctor there did not do any investigations, instead, just prescribed her oral medication. Although Zin felt better with the medications she received at the clinic, her symptom returned after two months and she went back to see the same doctor. The doctor again prescribed her medications, but they only relieved her symptoms for a short time. In early September, Zin felt like her stomach-ache has worsened. She had it more often and the medications that she received at the clinic did not help her anymore. On 12 September 2019, Zin had a severe stomach-ache and for the last time, she returned to see the same doctor. On this visit, the doctor performed an ultrasound and said that there are stones in her common bile duct (CBD), a duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). Zin has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Zin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Zin is scheduled to undergo her biliary obstruction repair on October 03. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Zin's procedure and care. Zin said, “I cannot do anything now. I want to get well soon and start working again. If not, my family will not have enough food”.

Akugizibwe is a single mother of three daughters and one son. She lives with her children in Uganda. Akugizibwe sells secondhand clothing to support her family. Akugizibwe lived with a painful abdominal swelling for 20 years. Three years ago, she visited a hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia. Part of her intestine was protruding through her abdominal muscles. She was advised to undergo surgery, but she could not pay for treatment. Akugizibwe's pain grew, preventing her from bending over, lifting heavy items, and walking long distances. Her condition affected her ability to work, because she needed to lift heavy luggage. Fortunately, Akugizibwe visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On December 7, she underwent a hernia repair surgery. $249 will fund the cost of the procedure, including three nights in the hospital. After recovery, Akugizibwe hopes to resume her business, so that she can support her family. She wants to pay for her children's education.

Meet Jemima, a 29-year-old woman who lives in Uganda. “Jemima is pregnant with her first child, and the baby is in a breech position" explains our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation. “Jemima is a housewife and her husband, Medard, is a student studying to become a nurse. Right now, finances are very tight because of his school fees." Jemima needs a cesarean section to help her and her baby to be safe and healthy during the delivery process, and the treatment will cost $305. Let’s help ensure that Jemima and her baby have a safe and healthy delivery.

“My focus is my love for my family and a hope for a cure,” says the mother of Margaret, a three-month-old girl who lives with her parents and sisters in Kenya. Margaret came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with hydrocephalus. “Margaret has an enlarged head size [due to] an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in her brain,” explains AMHF. This is causing increased intra-cranial pressure inside her skull. “If not treated, Margaret's head will progressively enlarge and eventually cause damage to her brain,” AMHF continues. Margaret is also likely to lose her sight and is at risk of premature death. Treatment for Margaret is surgery to place a shunt in her brain. The shunt connects to a tube that runs under the skin and empties into an abdominal cavity, where the excess cerebrospinal fluid can be resorbed by the body. Margaret’s mother is a domestic worker with long hours, and her father farms the family’s quarter of acre of land to grow food for the family. Despite their hard work, they earn just enough money to pay for school supplies and fees for Margaret’s sisters, and the harvest from their farmland barely feeds the whole family. Given their financial situation, they are not able to raise money to pay for Margaret’s surgery. With $980 in funding, Margaret can undergo surgery to place the shunt and receive five days of hospital care after surgery. AMHF tells us, “Margaret’s surgery will help reduce the excessive pressure in the brain and prevent visual impairment.” “We are determined to overcome this illness and not let it ruin her life,” says Margaret's mother. Let's help make that happen!

“I have always loved working with children,” explains Mercy. “My dream is to one day open a children’s home where I can take care of abandoned children.” Mercy lives in Kenya with her husband and three children. Mercy tends to the children and household while her husband works as a farmer on land he’s rented to grow potatoes for sale. Mercy and her family live with her husband’s parents, and rely on what they can produce from their small farm and four goats to provide for the family. “Mercy started experiencing lower back pain and a foul smelling discharge months ago,” report our partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “A scan revealed the [uterine prolapse] condition. If not treated, Mercy could develop a severe infection which could affect her kidneys.” For $800, we can fund a total abdominal hysterectomy to treat Mercy’s back pain and repeated infections. Let’s help Mercy pursue her dream of caring for more children free from the social stigma and health risks associated with her symptoms.

This is Esther, a hard working 24-year-old mother of two living in Tanzania. Esther and her husband are small-scale farmers with seasonal income. Last year, while cooking porridge on the stove, Esther had a seizure and fell into the open fire. According to a doctor at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), "It was her little daughter who saved her life by shouting so loudly for help when she found her mother face down on fire," As a result of the burn, Esther is unable to close her eyes. She constantly tears up due to dust and wind blowing in her eyes. She is also at high risk for an eye infection due to the debris that enter her eyes. "If not treated, Esther will never be comfortable," says AMHF. A $780 skin graft treatment will allow Esther to close her eyes again. She will no longer be in constant discomfort, and will be able to refocus on her family, children, and work. Esther says, “I long to be able to close my eyes, look without tears falling down my cheeks and not to suffer when it is cold, windy and dusty." Let's guarantee Esther access to the treatment she needs!