Negash, who is five years old, is the youngest of the six children in his family. Their family lives in rural Ethiopia, where his parents are farmers who grow wheat and barley. Additionally, they work as daily laborers on government construction projects to earn extra money to support their family. A few years ago, Negash's parents learned that he had been born with hypospadias, a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. The doctors at the hospital in Sekota told the family that Negash would need to return for treatment when he turned four years old. As the hospital in Sekota could not perform the procedure required to address Negash's condition, a social worker accompanied the family to Addis Ababa, helping to cover all of their travel costs. However, the family needs money to pay for the surgery that Negash must have in order to prevent him from higher risk of cancer and infertility, and other worrying symptoms in the future. Fortunately, Negash is now scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 30th at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Negash's father said: “I want my son to be completely well. I hope he will be well educated and become a president.”

Tereza is a 77-year-old widow. She is a small-scale farmer, but is unable to work her farm due to her current health condition. Tereza shared that it is hard to receive support from anyone in her community. She lives with her grandson in a three-roomed, semi-permanent house. Six months ago, Tereza developed a painful swelling on the left wrist. The condition has caused disfigurement in the affected area, and she has pain and discomfort. She hardly washes clothes, cooks, or uses the affected arm now. Tereza's work performance and quality of life have significantly deteriorated due to her pain. She visited Nyakibale Hospital after learning about it from her neighbors, and was diagnosed with a ganglion cyst. She needs surgery to remove the painful mass. Tereza traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 8th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Tereza needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Tereza says, “I am currently quite vulnerable because I don't have help yet I still need to eat and take care of certain home chores. I will appreciate your financial assistance so that I can receive treatment.”

Asiimwe is a 4-year-old preschooler who likes playing with his friends, especially running around where they live. He is the fifth born out of six children in his family. Both his mother and father are small scale farmers and own a four room mud house for shelter. Their family's eldest child is 15 years old and in the 7th grade, while the youngest is two years old and hasn’t yet started school. His parents are proud that all of their school-aged children are in school and doing well, however covering all the school fees from their earnings farming is challenging for them. Since about two weeks ago, Asiimwe has had bilateral inguinal hernia and right hydrocele. If not treated, the hernia could become strangulated and could result in intestinal obstruction, which can become life-threatening. Fortunately, on June 3rd, Asiimwe will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund Asiimwe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently as he grows up.