Noeun is a 38-year-old rice and potato farmer from Cambodia. She is married with three sons. Noeun lives with her husband who is also a farmer. She enjoys watching Thai and Khmer dramas on TV. Three years ago, Noeun developed a pterygium in right, causing her burning, irritation, tearing, itchiness, redness, and discomfort with her appearance. 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 Noeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours with her sister seeking treatment. Noeun needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for October 7th. Noeun said, "I hope after surgery I can feel comfortable and continue my work farming and taking care of my children."

Kyomuhangi is a 47-year-old married mother to eight children. Two of her daughters are married and are small-scale farmers. Her other six children are all studying in both primary and secondary levels. Kyomuhangi is a subsistence farmer who relies on her small piece of land for their livelihood. She mostly grows crops like beans, maize, and millet. She also rears some domestic animals like pigs, chickens, and also has a couple of goats. Her husband is a policeman. Kyomuhangi presented in the hospital with lower abdominal pain, chest pain difficulty in breathing, and lateral side pain over a period of three years. Her condition has affected her in that she fears to sleep on her sides and it has affected her work performance as a farmer since she can no longer go to the farm. Kyomuhangi has been to hospital several times and was diagnosed early with an adnexal mass. Doctors have advised her to have surgery to remove the growth, but she could not afford it. Kyomuhangi says, “I hope to have a good life after my surgery so that I can continue with cultivation.”

Babuhe is an 68-year-old mother from Uganda. She is a widow who lost her husband in 2013. As a farmer and mother of five, she relies on the few produces from her farm to sustain daily life. About 20 years ago, she started experiencing lower abdominal pains. She had been managing the pain with medications prescribed from several clinical visits made. As the pain gradually worsened, she has slowed her efforts on the farm and she is no longer able to carry heavy loads. Babuhe came to Rushoroza Hospital and was diagnosed with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. Doctors are recommending that she have a total abdominal hysterectomy, but Babuhe is not able to raise the funds required for her surgery. Her children are not able to support her financially and she appeals for financial assistance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $228 to fund Babuhe's surgery. On October 14th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Babuhe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Babuhe says: “I hope to live a normal life again after the surgery. I will resume my farming to be able to sustain and develop my family.”