Kay is a 34-year-old woman who lives with her husband and two sons in a village on the Thai-Burma border. Her husband is a day labourer at a construction site, while both of her children are students. Kay used to work in a factory but stopped last year when her health deteriorated. Kay remembers first feeling the pain she has in her abdomen in April of 2014, a month after she gave birth to her second son. Five years later, the pain in the left side of her abdomen returned. Kay also could not eat or drink anything, and vomited every time she tried to eat. At the hospital, she was given medication and was instructed to take it regularly. Though Kay felt better at a follow-up appointment, some of her symptoms were still persistent, so the medic referred her to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At that hospital, Kay received an ultrasound, blood test and urine test, and the results revealed that she had stones in her left ureter. The doctor recommended that she undergo laser treatment to breakup these stones and treat the pain she has been experiencing. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Kay receive treatment. On March 2nd, she is scheduled to undergo a shockwave lithotripsy treatment at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Kay shared, “I really want to recover. I cannot work at the factory [because of my condition] but I want to earn money. In the future, if I recover, I want to open a small shop to sell dry goods.”

Nickson is a milk vendor from Kenya. A few months ago, he married his wife and now they are expecting their firstborn baby. His wife is a housewife and they live in a mud house on a farm. Nickson was not able to go to college, so he decided to become a milk vendor so that he could provide for his young and growing family. In December 2020, Nickson was involved in a road traffic accident - he was riding a motorcycle when he collided with an oncoming lorry truck. He was rushed to the district hospital where he had a cast applied and was then discharged home. However, two weeks ago, he started having pain while he was walking. A friend referred Nickson to a local medical facility. Nickson was examined and sent for an x-ray which revealed that he had fractured his knee. Right now, Nickson has trouble standing on his right foot or flexing his knee. Fortunately, surgeons at our Medical Partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help Nickson, and they are requesting $1,016 to fund his procedure. On March 3rd, Nickson will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk more easily again. Nickson says, “My hope is to receive treatment, be well, and continue supporting my young family."

Tibeyarura is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of two adult children, both of whom are also farmers. They are both married and are able to provide her with minimal support. Tibeyarura's husband passed away in 2009, leaving her a semi-permanent house for shelter. During her free time, she enjoys visiting and taking care of her fields. Sixteen years ago, Tibeyarura began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath. Doctors diagnosed her with a goiter, and she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tibeyarura receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 1st at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Tibeyarura and her family need your support. Tibeyarura shared, “I pray that I may be considered for treatment. After treatment, I believe I will be able to comfortably continue with farming and be able to sustain and take good care of my family as I used to before.”

Korb is a 34-year-old mother of two from Cambodia. She has one son and one daughter, she enjoys cooking for her family, cleaning the house, and playing with her children. Three years ago, Korb had a serious 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, Korb experiences ear discharge, pain, itchiness, and headaches. She cannot hear others clearly and has been unable to find any work. Korb traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 9th, 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. "I hope that after surgery, the infection will stop and my hearing will improve and my family will not have to worry anymore," she said.

Khav is a 45-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two daughters, and when he is not helping his family around the house with the cooking and cleaning, he likes to exercise and feed the farm animals. In January 2020, Khav fell off of his motorcycle and suffered trauma to his left hip. He experiences chronic hip dislocation and has daily pain. He is unable to walk without support and has had to stop working. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 27th, Khav will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. Treatment will allow him to walk without difficulty and return to work. "I hope that my hip no longer has any pain and I am able to return to work and help take care of my family again."

Nwe is a 36-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her family in Thingangkuun Township in Yangon Division. Nwe works as a seamstress at home while her husband works in a factory. In her free time, Nwe likes to play with her nephew who lives close by and also loves to watch movies at home. Nwe was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Nwe experiences tiredness especially when she walks for longer periods of time. If she feels tired, she also experiences heart palpitations. Sometimes, she also suffers from dizziness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nwe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 24th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Nwe shared, “I feel stressed about my condition. I am afraid to have surgery but there is no other option. I hope that after I have fully recovered from my surgery, I will be able to work as seamstress again.” Nwe’s husband is also worried for her and he has had to take time off from work to accompany her to all her appointments. He said, “I get paid daily for my work and if I do not work regularly then I have less income. Before, we were able to save some money from our work but since my wife was diagnosed with a heart problem and started to see the doctor for tests and medications, we can no longer save any money.”

Kyampire is a mother of five girls. She lost her husband in February 2001. All her daughters are married, but are struggling in their families due to lack of adequate education. Her firstborn is 24 years old and completed secondary school class three, the second born is 23 years old and completed primary school class six, her third is 22 years old and completed secondary school class two, while her youngest is 20 years old and dropped from secondary school class three. Her husband had not constructed a house for them but Kyampire tried her best and constructed a three-room semi-permanent house for herself and her girls. Kyampire started feeling abdominal pains and scans at Kabale referral hospital showed she had uterine fibroids. As the pains persisted, she went to a private doctor who advised her to have surgery but could not because she could not afford the surgery charges. She tried herbs and pain medicine to reduce the pain but she feels it is now beyond her control and that’s why she came to Rushoroza Hospital. If not treated, she could develop severe anaemia leading to heart failure. She has severe abdominal pain stopping her from doing her day to day activities. Kyampire did not go to school and survives on small-scale farming. Her normal duties are affected because she feels severe pain when digging and feels pain and heavy when walking; this greatly slows down her general performance in any activity she takes on. She at times finds it difficult to walk completely. Kyampire told us: “I pray for a successful surgery. I look forward to being normal again and be able to carry out my farming activities as comfortably as I had always done; making it easy to take good care of myself, God willing.”

Beshesya is a farmer from Uganda. He is married with five children, all of whom are still studying. He sustains a living by practicing small scale farming and so does his wife. Two years ago, Beshesya developed a scrotal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort and if not treated, it may result in intestinal tissue damage. Fortunately, on December 17th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Beshesya's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Bashesya says, “I will be humbled by your support because I am really suffering with this condition.”

Minea is 12-year-old 4th grade student. Her favorite subject in school is Khmer literature, and she hopes to be a teacher when she grows up. In her free time she enjoys exercising for good health, reading books, and watching cartoons on TV. She has one older sister; together they like to cook fried rice with chicken. Five years ago, Minea's spine curvature became noticeably worse at around 20 degrees. For a time she was using a back brace but it did not improve her condition in the long term. In recent months her scoliosis has advanced to a 45 degree angle. Her family is concerned that her condition will prohibit her from attending school and make her self conscious about her appearance. She has difficulty in sleeping, sitting, standing, or walking, and she feels uncomfortable with her appearance. Minea's mother said "I hope that the doctors will help my daughter improve her quality of life, and that she will be able to be happy and confident."

Rashid is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is the first born in a family of three. Rashid comes from a very poor family from Western Kenya, and came to Central Kenya (Limuru) to try and find a living. He has never been to school and so he searches for any casual work available especially in construction sites. About three months ago, when he was up a building he slipped and fell from the third floor of a building they were constructing and sustained fracture of the left humerus and a sprain on the back bone. He is unable to work or use his left hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 4th, Rashid will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help his hand heal well and he will be able to work again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.

Tak Van is a first grader from Cambodia. She has one younger brother, and she enjoys playing with her toys and watching television. Five years ago, Tak Van had an accident and fell off her bed, hitting her right cheek bone on the floor. She developed swelling under her right eye, and a small soft mass has now developed. When Tak Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Surgeons at CSC will perform an excision procedure to remove the mass and relieve the swelling below Tak Van's right eyelid, making her feel comfortable again. Now, she needs help to fund this $220 procedure. "I hope that my daughter's surgery is successful so that she will not have to undergo anymore surgery, and she will feel better," shared Tak Van's mother.

Tibenderana is a builder from Uganda who is married and also a father to nine children. His wife is a small scale farmer and he does small scale farming and at times works a causal labor in other people’s farms to earn a living. Tibenderana presented with a painful right shoulder swelling for the last four years. It causes him discomfort and pain. Tibenderana traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 22nd, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Tibenderana needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Tibenderana says, “Thanks for having considered me for support under SAFE program. I hope to get well and continue with hustling for my children’s school fees after surgery.”