Jackline is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She and her husband have six children, with their eldest married with children of their own and their youngest a student in secondary school. Jackline's husband works as a bricklayer in their village, while Jackline practices farming. For ten years, Jackline has been experiencing lower abdominal pains. Her symptoms were initially mild but began to become more severe over time and now cause her to experience headaches and fevers. As a result, Jackline has been unable to continue her work in farming, which was a primary income source for her family. Jackline has been diagnosed with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease and needs to undergo surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Jackline receive treatment. On November 4th, she will undergo surgery that will allow her to resume her daily activities free of pain. AMH is requesting $319 to fund this procedure. Jackline says, "I pray that I may be funded for this treatment because I am in severe pain and my condition could worsen. I believe that I will be able to live a normal and more productive life after surgery."

Sarai is a sweet and friendly three-year-old girl from Bolivia who has Down syndrome. She lives in a small indigenous community in the mountains of central Bolivia with her parents, who are both farmers, and her five siblings. She is a friendly little girl who loves making new friends and blowing kisses to everyone she meets! Sarai was born with an atrial septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole instead of flowing properly through her body, leaving her feeling weak and short of breath. Fortunately, Sarai is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 28th with the support of our long-standing medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance, which is now growing and expanding into Bolivia. Surgeons will close the hole with a patch, allowing blood to properly flow through her body and improving her quality of life. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $2,500 to pay for a portion of Sarai's procedure costs. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining costs, which cover surgical expenses, cardiac exams, medications, and travel fees so Sarai and her family can travel to receive her life-changing cardiac procedure in La Paz. Sarai's mother shares, "Our family is all praying that our daughter will become healthy and strong after this surgery!"

Koy is a 60-year-old retired farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters, three sons, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who raises chickens on a local farm, and her youngest daughter, who is a garment worker. In her free time, Koy enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Koy developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience blurry vision, light sensitivity, and eye tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Koy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Koy says, "After surgery, I hope I can see well enough to go outside on my own and help my husband."

Pinit is a 24-year-old soldier from Cambodia. He lives with his parents, his grandparents, and two younger brothers in Kampong Speu province. When not working, he likes to play football and go fishing. Pinit fractured his left clavicle a little over a year ago when playing football with his friends. He had an open reduction internal fixation at a government hospital in Pnom Penh. His fracture has healed, but he still feels a chronic ache in his shoulder and neck. He is not able to perform some of the required activities for soldiers. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 13th, Pinit will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. The chronic ache will disappear along with his risk of infection and he can return to full activity in his day-to-day life. Pinit shared: "I would like to get back to my full strength, and I hope taking out the metal will help me to get strong again."

Sebastiana, who is eight years old, lives with her mother and four siblings in Tanzania. Because she is separated from her husband, Sebastiana's mother works many different jobs in order to support her children. One day, when their mother was away, Sebastiana and her siblings were busy helping out with household chores. Sebastiana got into an accident, and hot water spilled all over her arm. She received treatment for her burns - which healed - but they have left her with scars that limit the use of her arm. Sebastiana and her mother traveled a long way to meet with doctors from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. As a result of their visit, Sebastiana is now scheduled to undergo contracture release surgery, and the amputation of her left thumb, at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre on October 13th. After her surgery, Sebastiana should regain full use of her hand and arm, which will be a big relief to her mother. Now we need your help to fund the $1,088 required for the surgery. Sebastiana’s mother says: “When we were leaving home, she was so happy knowing that she is going to get treatment.”

Koem Chun is a 78-year-old rice farmer. Koem Chun is married and has five sons, three daughters, and 20 grandchildren. He lives with his wife and their youngest daughter, who makes a living selling materials in the local market. Five years ago, Koem Chun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and sensitivity to light. He cannot see well in low light and colors all look faded to him. When Koem Chun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Koem Chun shared, "I hope I will see better and go outside again. I need to grow rice to feed my family."

Nouy is a 64-year-old grocery seller. Nouy is married and has two sons, five daughters, and seven grandchildren. The family sells groceries from their house. In the evening, Nouy likes to listen to the news or the monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Nouy developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and sensitivity to light. It is difficult for him to give change to his customers because he cannot read the money. Because of this, he is embarrassed and mostly stays home. When Nouy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there hoping for treatment. On December 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Nouy shared, "I hope the doctors will improve my eyes so I can sell groceries again, and be useful to my family."

Two months ago, Victor was born very healthy in a facility near their home. They were discharged and when they arrived home, Victor started to cry and feel uncomfortable. He was not crying too much and his mother did not take it too seriously. The following day, Victor’s aunt visited them and noticed that he was crying a lot. To her, the cry was not normal. She talked to his mother about it and they decided to take a closer look at his belly. A few minutes later, they noticed that his stomach was swollen and later found out that he was not passing stool. They rushed Victor to the facility where he was born and upon examination, Victor was immediately referred to BethanyKids Hospital. Being an emergency, he was brought in an ambulance and taken to an emergency department. He had a colostomy surgery that is the first stage of his treatment. He recovered fully and now he has been scheduled for a second surgery to help heal his condition. Victor is the last born in a family of six children. His parents are not well off financially. Both of them sell groceries and do casual labor when they can find it. The income they earn is just enough to feed the family. His parents are not in a position to raise any extra money for their son’s bill and are asking for financial support. Victor’s mother says, “It is very hard for us to raise any money to cater for Victor’s bill. Thank you.”

Rin is a 47-year-old farmer. Rin and his wife have three children, one son, two daughters, and one grandchild. His daughters are married, his son still lives at home and is a cook at a local restaurant. In 2019, Rin was hit by a car while on his motorcycle and fractured his right tibia and fibula. He was treated for his fracture at a local hospital, with external fixation of the bones to repair his fracture. A year later, the external fixation was removed, he had a fever and active infection, and his bones did not heal properly. On the advice of his neighbor, he visited Children's Surgical Centre in June and was given antibiotics for a month to clear up the infection prior to any surgery. He was not able to return until December due to the coronavirus lockdown and provincial restrictions for travel. He's unable to put weight on his leg and must use crutches. He feels unwell most of the time and has swelling and pain. His leg has not healed properly - it is bowed and the bone is freely moveable. Right now he cannot work on his farm or make money to feed his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On December 14th, Rin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. Proper correction and alignment of his bones will help him return to full function and to farming to support his family. "I hope after surgery my leg will finally heal, and I will be able to walk again. I want to work on my farm to feed my family and make sure my grandchild will go to school."

Srey Noch is a 29-year-old married mother of two children from Cambodia. She and her husband have two daughters, one who is nine years old and in school, and another who is four. Her husband works as a car repairman, while Srey Noch works in a clothes factory. In her free time, Srey Noch enjoys cooking for her family and watching television with her family. Two years ago, Srey Noch developed a painful mass on her right jaw. The mass has grown quickly and she is very worried about her health. She feels ill and is unable to open her mouth or eat solid food. She visited a local hospital for examination, and they referred her to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for specialized surgery. Srey Noch traveled to CSC for examination and treatment. She was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, or a non-cancerous tumor of the jaw area. On December 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform surgery to remove the mandibular mass and repair the wound with a fibular free flap. Now, Srey Noch needs help to fund this $657 procedure. Srey Noch shared that she hopes the mass will be removed and not return. She said, "I want the surgery to cover my wound so that I can have a normal face again."

Meng Huot is a four-year-old boy who lives with his four older siblings and parents. His father works in construction, and his mother is a seller at the market. Meng Huot enjoys watching TV, playing with toys, and playing games with his siblings. In the future, Meng Huot wants to become a policeman. For the past month, Meng Huot has had difficult swallowing and breathing. Eating food has become painful, and he is unable to eat many of his favorite foods like fried eggs and soy milk. Doctors at Children's Surgical Centre discovered that Meng Huot's tonsils are enlarged, which is causing the discomfort he feels. On November 11th, surgeons will perform and adenoidectomy and tonsillectomy on Meng Huot to ensure that he can return to breathing and swallowing with ease. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $241 to fund his procedure. Once recovered, his quality of life will significantly improve and he will once again be able to eat his favorite foods. Meng Huot's mother shared, "I hope after this surgery my son can be back to normal and in good health again."

Saveth is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She and her husband work their farm together. They have two sons and two grandchildren. In her free time she likes to listen to music or the monks praying on the radio. A year ago, Saveth developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, headaches and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Saveth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On July 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Saveth shared, "I hope I can easily continue my farm work and see better than before. My husband cannot do all the work himself so he needs me to help."