Dinavensi is an amazing and strong 50-year-old single mother. She adopted her three children from her brother after he unfortunately passed away. She shared that throughout her life, she has struggled with infertility, which even resulted in a divorce in her first marriage. Dinavensi was never able to attend school, since her parents did not value female education; however, she fortunately managed to educate her three children through her income as a farmer. On top of supporting her children, Dinavensi also lives with and cares for her elderly parents by herself. For three years, Dinavensi has been experiencing pain, backaches, and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Dinavensi's surgery. On July 7th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Dinavensi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Dinavensi shares, “I am the only provider and sole caregiver for my parents, but with the condition, we have no other person to help. I hope with your support, I will get healthy once again and continue standing in for my family.”

Ath is a 72-year-old retired farmer with one son, three daughters, and twenty-five grandchildren. Ath's husband passed away a long time ago, and she lives near her daughter. In her free time, Ath likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Ath developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. Consequently, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out on her own. When Ath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 14th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Ath says, "I hope I can see well enough to take care of myself well and go places on my own."

Nathalia is a crafty and creative seven-year-old from Bolivia who just completed first grade. She lives with her parents and one younger sister. Some of Nathalia's favorite activities include creating artwork and making crafts! Nathalia 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, Nathalia is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 27th 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 Nathalia'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 Nathalia and her family can travel to receive her life-changing cardiac procedure in La Paz. Nathalia's mother shares, "Ever since we learned our daughter was sick, we have been praying every day for this surgery, and we are so glad our prayers are about to be answered!"

James is a 55-year-old driver. Twenty years ago, James was widowed and left with six children, whom he raised by himself for fifteen years, before he remarried. His children are now all grown, married, and independent. James has been a driver for a long time, but with the increased fuel prices, he shared that he can't earn as much as he did in the past, which has made it more difficult to make ends meet. A year ago, James developed a right inguinal hernia, that has caused him a lot of pain, which has only intensified over time. This now prevents him from working. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On June 7th, James will undergo hernia repair surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital in Nyakibale. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $230 to fund this procedure, which will enable James to live more comfortably, and to return to his work as a driver. James says: “If I can be treated for my condition, I will be able to lead a much happier life and resume my job of driving to earn a living.”

Zerida is a widow, living in southwestern Uganda. She is a mother of 11 children, who lost her husband in 1999. While she does small scale farming, this is becoming increasingly difficult for her, given her advanced age and health issues. A year ago, Zerida began experiencing episodes of lower abdominal pain, backaches, and other symptoms. She has been diagnosed with uterine myomas. Without treatment, she is at risk of anaemia, and persistent back and lower abdominal pain. The doctors have told Zerida that she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, in order to resolve her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Zerida's surgery, which is scheduled for May 19th, at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital in Nyakibale. Once she has recovered, Zerida should be able to resume her daily activities, free of pain. Zerida says: “I am a widow and have no support since the death of my husband. I really need the surgery, but I am not able to pay for the cost.”

Ko Ko is a three-year-old boy who lives with his parents and his siblings. His father and oldest brother are agricultural day labourers while his mother looks after him. Ko Ko enjoys playing with his toys and playing football with his brothers. He also enjoys watching movies on his mother's phone. When Ko Ko was one year old, his mother noticed a small white spot on his right pupil. She did not know what had caused the spot, but did not think it was serious. In December, Ko Ko’s mother asked him to give her a cup of water, but when he stood up he called out that he could not see where the water was, while trying to feel his way with his hands. Currently, Ko Ko is only able to recognize light. He needs his mother to guide him, and help him with tasks such as eating and showering Doctors want Ko Ko to undergo a CT scan. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Ko Ko's CT scan and care, scheduled for February 3rd. Ko Ko's mother said: "As a mother, I worry about him and I want to give him everything so that his vision can return, but I do not have money to pay for his treatment. Thank you so much for your kindness and for helping my son. May the goodness you have shown us return to you and may you be successful.”

Gorete is a farmer and a mother of five with three daughters and two sons. One daughter and her youngest son are teachers, while her other two daughters are farmers and her eldest son is a builder. Gorete shared that her husband passed ten years ago and left her a coffee and banana farm from which she earns a living and has been able to educate her children. However, the lockdown in Uganda has made it difficult for her son to work and help her mother raise funds for her treatment. Gorete has been experiencing swelling for twenty years; however, about three months ago, she also began to experience other symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty breathing while sleeping, and fatigue. She was diagnosed with an obstructing goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is helping Gorete receive treatment. On January 4th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMHF's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMHF is requesting $252 to fund Gorete's surgery. Gorete shared, "I struggle to breathe while trying to sleep, which makes my nights so long. I cannot afford the treatment; please help me."

Peace is a farmer and a mother of five girls who are all married and practice small-scale farming to earn a living. Peace and her husband also earn their living through small-scale farming. The family is not in a financial position to cater for the surgery Peace needs and are appealing for financial assistance. Ten years ago, Peace began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling, persistent headache, losing breath, drowsiness, and a lot more swelling at night. She was diagnosed with multiple nodular goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Peace receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 12th 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 raising money. Peace says, "I sometimes fail to breathe so well at night. I hope the surgery will change that."

Jesca is a hardworking, friendly, and sociable girl who loves music and singing in the choir at church. She's an 18-year-old teenager, born as the third child in a family of nine. Jesca was only able to study until seventh grade because she was experiencing mobility issues due to clubfoot, making going to school particularly challenging. Jesca's father tried to encourage his daughter to continue with school by discussing with her the the importance of education. However, Jesca was too concerned about going to secondary school, which is located even further away and thereby posing an even bigger challenge for her. Jesca has clubfoot on her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Jesca has now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform a clubfoot repair surgery on June 29th, and requests support of $935 for her treatment costs. After treatment, Jesca will be able to walk normally and is hopeful for a better life ahead. Jesca describes her previous decisions about school with regret but turns an optimistic outlook for her future: "If it wasn’t for my foot I would have probably continued with school and maybe today I would be in a better position. I am now working but my foot is still limiting my work. Please help me have my foot corrected."

Vannary is a 15-year-old 9th grade student. Vannary's father is a driver, her mother is a cleaner, and she has two twin younger sisters. At home, Vannary enjoys playing with her sisters, reading books, and helping out her mother. Three months ago, Vannary developed an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, which led Vannary to experience hearing loss, tinnitus, and discharge. In order for her condition to improve, Vannary needs a mastoidectomy procedure in her ear to remove the cholesteatoma and help her hear clearly again. Vannary shared, "I hope my hearing can improve and the ear discharge finally will stop."

Him is a 71-year-old clay potter from Cambodia. He has two sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. He lives with his youngest daughter and his wife who is also a potter. They take their pots to the market to sell to support their family. In his free time, Him likes to listen to monks preaching on the radio. Five months ago, Him developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him sensitivity to light, blurry vision, and sometimes tearing. It is hard for him to make pots or travel to the market. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Him learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for an hour and a half with his wife seeking treatment. On March 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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. Him shared, "I hope after surgery I can see clearly so I can make more pots, go to the market to sell my products, and support my living well."

Ry is a 62-year-old farmer from Cambodia and her husband is a monk. She has two sons and four grandchildren. She lives with her youngest son who works in construction. Ry enjoys listening to the monks preaching on the radio and at the pagoda. Three months ago, Ry developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ry learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour with her granddaughter seeking treatment. On December 4th, 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. Ry said, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can take care of my family and plant crops like banana and Khmer mint. I want to be able to get around easily on my own."