Pricilla is a 68-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is a widow and a mother of ten children, though sadly only four are alive. She is also taking care of her twin grandchildren. She shared that she has faced many challenges, but she is glad that her grandchildren can help her around the home. For several years, Pricilla has been experiencing severe lower abdominal pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. In the past, she visited a health center where she was given medication that helped briefly, but later, her symptoms worsened, particularly when straining. She has been diagnosed with uterine prolapse and she has had to stop farming due to her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Pricilla receive treatment. On January 18th, she will undergo a hysterectomy, or a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Once recovered, Pricilla will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Now, she needs help raising $319 to fund her procedure and care. Pricilla shared, "I pray that I may get well through surgery because I can no longer do anything on my own and my survival is at risk. I hope to continue with farming after recovery."

Vacity is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second of five children raised by a single mother. Vacity had been sick in school and was exhibiting symptoms such as fever, rapid heartbeat, increased appetite with weight loss, and fatigue. She was found to have too much thyroid hormone in her body due to nodules that developed on her thyroid. While medications have helped her condition, she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Her mother was recently in a motorbike accident, which is making it difficult for her to work and raise the money needed to fund Vacity's surgery. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) is helping Vacity to receive the surgery she needs. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 22nd at AMHF's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Vacity and her family need help raising $936 to fully fund the procedure. Vacity shared, ”My family is needy. I would like to work hard in school so that I can be able to change our living style. Kindly help me so that I can be able to live a healthy life and be able to prosper in future.”

Riyaq is an 18-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the last born in a family of four children. Her mother is a housewife while her father sells water to the community. Riyaq has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Riyaq has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Her family was referred to Bethany Kids where an examination was done and surgery recommended. Without treatment, Riyaq will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Riyaq that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 8th and will drain the excess fluid from Riyaq's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Riyaq will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Riyaq’s aunt says, “We have never seen such a condition. We did not know what to do and have given up but coming here has changed us, and we hope that all will be well in the end.”

Sostine is a 26-year-old waitress. Sostine is the second oldest of 6 children. She lost her parents and three siblings at a young age and could not proceed with her school past grade 6 due to a lack of teachers. She lives alone and works at a local eatery to make ends meet. For two years, Sostine has had an epigastric hernia. She experiences pain and strain when she has to bend or do anything strenuous. She experiences discomfort and pain when she tries to eat a full meal. She came to Nyakibale hospital for care and was recommended surgery as treatment. She appeals for help to undergo surgery. Fortunately, on February 7th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Sostine's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Sostine says, “I wish my health can be brought back to normal so that I can continue with my work and live a better quality of life.”

Meet 36-year-old Diana, a quiet, humble, and loving mother to two children, who lives with her family in Uganda. While Diana had once dreamed of becoming a teacher, with the death of her parents, there was no money for the necessary school fees. She became the provider for herself and her two younger brothers, starting up a small business selling vegetables, in order to earn a sufficient income for the three of them. Today, Diana and her husband work as small-scale farmers, growing food crops for home consumption, while selling any surplus they have to generate money for their family. For the past two years, Diana has experienced severe lower abdominal pain, accompanied by backaches and dizziness. Additionally, she has experienced bleeding. Surgery was recommended, but Diana couldn't afford to pay for the treatment that she needed. However, the pain she has been living with has increased, and at a recent visit to the doctor, a scan was done, which showed a right pelvic mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $242 to cover the costs of a curative laparotomy, which is scheduled to take place on February 2nd, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Diana is hopeful that with your help, her unpleasant and debilitating symptoms will be gone. Diana says: “If given a chance to be supported, I hope I will go through the surgery and I expect to get well afterward.”

Raheel is a 15-month-old boy from a small family with one sibling and two parents. Raheel’s father is a local vendor selling fish at the market, and his mother sells clothes and accessories. Raheel's parents work to make sure their family is provided for, but have struggled to make ends while business has been slow. Raheel has clubfoot of his left foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape making it difficult for Raheel to learn to walk and wear shoes. Fortunately, Raheel's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Raheel's parent's raise $935 to fund his clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Raheel’s mother shared, “It feels good seeing my son be playful despite his foot condition. I wish for his other foot to be normal too.”

Gift is a 46-year-old married man with five children. His wife works in a hair salon while Gift is a farmer. Gift and his family live in Malawi in a rented house without water and electricity. Gift likes to go fishing in his free time. Last September, Gift noted a swelling in his right inguinal region that subsided when he was lying down. Gift was concerned and went to a doctor. Because it was difficult for him to talk about his condition with the doctor, he simply mentioned that he was experiencing abdominal pains and was provided with pain killers. Gift took the medicine he had been given, but returned to the doctor when his condition didn't improve. After being assessed, Gift was given a diagnosis of a right inguinal hernia and he was informed that he would need surgery. The frequency of episodes of swelling has increased and his ability to work and earn an income has been negatively affected. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $575 to cover the cost of Gift's treatment. On May 3rd, Gift will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Hospital. After he has recovered, Gift should be able to return to work and go fishing again. Gift believes the operation will improve his condition and enable him to continue caring for his family. Gift said: “It’s like I am dreaming. I can’t wait to get better and be a responsible father."

Amoni, who is 20 years old, is married and has a baby daughter. He lives with his family in Malawi, where he and his wife work as farmers, growing maize, groundnuts, cassava, and rice for food and income. In 2015, Amoni became aware of a painless swelling in his right inguinal region. He chose not to do anything about it until 2017 when episodes of swelling increased. He went for an evaluation at Nkhotakota district hospital, where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and informed he would need surgery. Since then, Amoni has visited the hospital on several occasions, hoping for a date for surgery, as the episodes of swelling have increased, accompanied by cramping abdominal pains that interfere with his ability to work and care for his family. Amoni is now scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on May 3rd at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, needs help raising the $575 needed to cover the cost of his treatment and care. Amoni is hopeful that the surgery will relieve him of his discomfort, enabling him to take good care of his loving wife and only child. Amoni said: “Thank you, sponsors, for your support. I can’t wait to see myself well again.”

Collings, who is four years old, is the only child of his single mother. Collings lives with his grandmother in Malawi while his mother works as a farmer. Collings' grandmother is also a farmer. When Collings was about a year old, his mother noticed swelling in his left inguinal region. Collings was brought to the nearest clinic in Malawi. From there, they were referred to Nkhotakota district hospital for additional care. A diagnosis of a hernia was made and surgery was recommended. Now Collings is four and since his diagnosis, he has remained untreated. The episodes of swelling have worsened, causing Collings a lot of pain. His grandmother has had to suspend her work as a farmer as she tries to get Collings the care he needs. On May 2nd, Collings will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $575 to fund Collings' treatment. His grandmother hopes that the operation will help Collings get better. Collings' grandmother happily said: “I can’t wait to see Collings well again; thank you, Sponsors, for coming in with support.”

Meet Dennis, a 12 year old boy living in Kenya with his parents and two younger siblings. When Dennis isn't in school - where math is his favorite subject - he enjoys playing with friends and reading books. Dennis' father works as a casual laborer, while his mother is a housewife. Dennis was healthy at birth, but at the age of two, his left foot started to bend inwards. His parents brought him to numerous hospitals, but his condition remained unresolved. This is very frustrating for Dennis, who has to walk on tiptoes, and is in pain when he walks. Doctors at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, diagnosed Dennis with a clubfoot. Now he is scheduled to undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AIC Cure International Hospital on January 16th. This procedure which will allow Dennis to wear shoes and to walk with ease. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Dennis' life changing procedure. “Our joy will be to see Dennis walking and playing like other children,” Dennis’s mother told us.

Grace is a 29-year-old mother of three. She is from Southwestern Uganda and practices subsistence farming while her husband is a bodaboda taxi driver who is paid on commission. The family's financial situation makes it difficult to manage both day-to-day costs and medical expenses. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting a new baby. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section (C-Section). She has been attending the antenatal clinic at Nyakibale Hospital and was advised to undergo a C-Section to avoid a ruptured uterus. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Grace undergo a C-Section on January 19th. Grace needs help raising $252 to fund her procedure and, ultimately, safely deliver her newborn child. Grace says “I will be glad to deliver my baby safely under your support and thus able to continue with farming.”

Sylivia, who is 51-years-old, is the mother of four children. Their family lives in Uganda, where Sylivia and her husband practice small scale farming to provide for their family. For the past year, Sylivia has been experiencing severe and abnormal bleeding, and lower abdominal pain. She has had to undergo a blood transfusion twice, and doctors have recommended surgery to remove the uterine fibroids that are the cause of Sylivia's symptoms. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund the hysterectomy that Sylivia needs. On January 19th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, which should allow her to resume a healthy, pain free life. Sylivia says: “All my hopes of getting better are by undergoing surgery, I hope with your support, I will surely get better.”

Leo is a 50-year-old father of five children, with one child still in school. He works in the quarries and sometimes on farms for subsistence farming. His wife is a small-scale farmer, and they work hard to meet their family's daily needs. Three years ago, Leo developed a right inguinal hernia. This occurs when soft tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. He has pain and swelling, and is not able to do strenuous activities with ease, yet he is the breadwinner of the family. Leo went to Nyakibale Hospital and surgery was recommended to help him finally heal. Fortunately, on January 24th he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Leo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Leo says, “I request support from donors to enable me to be treated and resume my day-to-day work with ease."

Shallon is the mother of three children and a businesswoman from Southwestern Uganda. She has a diploma in education, but was unable to get a job in that field, so decided to start a small retail shop to make ends meet. She lives in a rental house with her children, as she separated from her husband. Two years ago, Shallon began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling, difficulty breathing, and swallowing. She was diagnosed with cystic goitre. A visit to a traditional herbalist had not helped, so she went to the hospital. She had a scan, and surgery was recommended to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Shallon receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 24th 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 to pay for it. Shallon says, “I hope the complications I have been passing through will be no more once I am given a chance to be operated on with your help.”

Emmy is a 36-year-old taxi driver. He is a father of 4 school-aged children. After completing high school, he had difficulty raising funds for college despite the desire to join university. He enrolled in a driving school and was later hired as a taxi driver. His wife is a farmer and their family of 6 lives in a 2 bedroom semi-permanent house. For 6 years, Emmy has had left inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him pain especially when he strains. Fortunately, on January 25th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Emmy's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Emmy says “I have been with this pain for quite a long time, I could have undergone surgery so long ago but I have always been let down by finances, I surely need and am grateful for your support for the success of my surgery.”

Vanna is a 66-year-old widow. She has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren. Vanna lives in Kampong Cham province in Cambodia and sells vegetables at the local market. She lives with her youngest daughter who is a garment worker at a local market. When she has free time, she enjoys joining ceremonies at the local pagoda in her village. Five years ago, Vanna developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Vanna learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Vanna needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 28th. Vanna said: "I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can go back to selling at the market to support my family."