Kembabazi is a teacher from Western Uganda. For the past three years, she has had lower abdominal and back pains and other troubling symptoms. As a result of these pains, she is unable to stand for extended periods and walk for long distances. Kembabazi came to Nyakibale Hospital and was diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids, requiring a total hysterectomy to heal. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Kembabazi's surgery. On May 11th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Kembabazi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Kembabazi shared, "I hope to be treated and the condition clears so that I can resume my teaching job and support my family again."

Saw Eh is a 25-year-old man from Thailand. He lives with his wife and two children in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. He works as a security guard in the camp while his wife looks after their two young children. His family receives 821 baht (approx. 27 USD) each month from an organisation called The Border Consortium as part of their rations, and he also earns 700 baht (approx. 23 USD) in a month from working as a security guard. Their monthly income is just enough to pay for their basic expenses. In the early morning of June 1st, 2020, at around 9:00 am, Saw Eh left the camp to forage for bamboo shoots in the jungle. While climbing over some slippery boulders, a few larger rocks from above him rolled down towards him. Unfortunately, Saw Eh could not avoid the falling rocks and was hit on the head and right leg. He was knocked unconscious and had no idea how long it took him to regain consciousness. When he did, he was in severe pain and cried out loudly for help. Luckily, a man was nearby and heard him shouting for help. The man fetched a few others to help him carry Saw Eh to the clinic in the refugee camp. At the clinic, the medic directly referred Saw Eh to Mae Sariang Hospital, as they knew they could not treat him in the camp. When he arrived at Mae Sariang Hospital, he received an x-ray, which confirmed that both bones in Saw Eh's right lower leg are fractured. The doctor then referred him to a hospital in Chiang Mai immediately, as he would need to receive surgery at a larger hospital, to ensure his leg heals properly. Currently, Saw Eh's right leg is in pain as well as his head. He cannot walk nor move his right leg. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Saw Eh will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 1st and will cost $1,500. The surgery will stop Saw Eh from being in pain and will help his leg heal properly. He will then be able to walk again.

Bu is a 53-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons and two daughters in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. He and his family fled there from Karen State, Burma, due to conflict in their area. Every month, Bu's household received 1,514 baht (approx. 50 USD) as part of their camp rations. Bu's oldest son works on farms outside of the camp as a seasonal day laborer. He makes 1,100 baht (approx. 37 USD) per month. The rest of Bu's three children are students, and his wife is a homemaker. Despite receiving free primary health care services and schooling in the camp, Bu's family is struggling to make ends meet every month. Bu started to suffer from back pain and fever in 2015. He also experienced slight discomfort and a burning sensation while urinating. When he went to the camp's clinic, run by Malteser International (MI), he received oral medications. For a few months, his symptoms and pain disappeared, but later on, they returned. Whenever the pain would worsen, Bu would receive more medication from the camp's clinic. On 2 July 2020, when Bu's symptoms worsened, he went back to the clinic to received more medication. Noting that he kept returning to the clinic with severe symptoms, Bu was referred to Mae Sariang Hospital for further treatment. At the hospital, he received a blood and urine test, as well as a kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) x-ray. The doctor informed him that he has a stone in his left kidney. The doctor then referred him to Suandok Hospital in Chiang Mai for further treatment. On 29 July 2020, Bu saw the doctor at Chiang Mai Hospital. The doctor told him that he needed to undergo an intravenous pyelogram (IVP), a type of diagnostic test that uses an injection of contrast material to evaluate the kidneys, ureters, and bladder. Once he underwent the IVP, the doctor diagnosed him with a type of kidney stone called a staghorn stone. Bu was then scheduled to receive surgery to remove the kidney stone on 16 August 2020. Unable to pay for his treatment, MI referred Bu to Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance accessing surgery. Currently, Bu experiences back pain and a burning sensation while urinating. He sometimes experiences headaches and cannot breathe well because of the severe pain. In his free time, his favorite thing to do is to help with household chores and grow vegetables for his family. Now, Burma Children Medical Fund needs your help in funding the cost of Bu's $1,500 surgery. Bu shared, “I still experience back pain and a burning sensation while urinating. Sometimes due to the pain, I have a headache and I have difficulty breathing. But I am very excited that I will be free from this prolonged pain after surgery."

Jane, a self-employed woman, was unfortunate to fall in a latrine in July 2018, severely breaking her leg. Upon the accident, she was rushed to Nakuru Hospital, where she was admitted and had surgery in which a metal plate was inserted. She went for clinics in the same hospital after being discharged, but the leg was not improving at all. Her uncle came to her rescue in June 2019 and brought her to Kijabe Hospital. Jane was admitted, had the metals on her leg replaced with lighter ones, and was discharged. She has been coming for clinics to monitor her leg. An x-ray was done and it was decided that another surgery was needed. Due to lack of funds, Jane went home helpless. Being a divorced woman and self-employed (selling second-hand clothes), Jane is the breadwinner of her family of five children. With her mobility being hindered by her broken leg, she cannot do as much as she would have if she’d be on both feet. This surgery will definitely improve Jane’s and her children’s quality of life.

Yet is a sixth grade student from Cambodia. His favorite subjects is school are Khmer literature and math, and he enjoys playing soccer and watching television in his spare time. In March 2019, Yet suffered from injuries to his lower left leg when playing on the playground at school. He cannot walk without support, and often experiences pain in his leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 02, Yet will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. Surgery will ensure that his injuries will heal and he will be able to walk on his own again. "I hope that my son's surgery will go well and that he will be able to walk and go to school without any problems." -Yet's Mother

Yonase is a young boy from Ethiopia. Yonase is a handsome and playful boy who loves playing football. He comes from a humble family. His mother does menial jobs to sustain the family including laundry for wages. Yonase was born with hypospadias, a birth defect that disrupts the normal flow of urine. His mother did not know of the defect and was told by a neighbour. He is not able to pass urine while standing like any other boy. If not treated, Yonase will be at risk of infertility and social stigma. He was reviewed in our facility where surgery to correct the defect was recommended. With limited income, the mother is afraid he will not be able to receive surgery. She is stressed with her son's conditions. She appeals for financial assistance. Fortunately, Yonase is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 17th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yonase's mother says, "I am now hopeful that he will get the surgery and that he will be ok."

Turyamureba is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with five children. Turyamureba has had a swelling on her neck for five years. She experiences pain and discomfort due to the swelling. Turyamureba traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 2, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Turyamureba needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Turyamureba says, “I look forward to getting good health after surgery and I continue with farming.”

Dara is a 20-year-old farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, listen to music, help his family with the house work, and go for walks with his friends. Last year, Dara was in a severe motor vehicle accident, injuring his right thigh. Now, the wound has become infected and is releasing discharge and causing a lot of pain. When Dara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for five and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 14, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove current pins in place along with any dead bone tissue to help clean and heal the infected area. Now, Dara needs help to fund this $262 procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I am able to not feel any pain and walk normally, and also return to my work on the farm."

Twikirize is a businesswoman from Uganda. She runs a retail shop, and she has one child. For one year, Twikirize has had a progressively growing swelling in her inner right thigh. She experiences pain and discomfort. If not treated, the swelling will continue growing and making it difficult for her to walk. Twikirize traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 10, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Twikirize needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Twikirize says, “I hope to have better quality of life after surgery and I will continue with my business of operating a shop.”

Tukahirwa is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Her husband passed away in 2000, leaving her with two children. For three years, Tukahirwa has had a bilateral inguinal hernia. This hernia causes her pain and discomfort. If not treated, it may result in intestinal tissue damage and blocking. Fortunately, on April 10, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Tukahirwa's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Tukahirwa says, “I hope to get a better lifestyle after surgery and continue with cultivation."

Josophati is a farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and they have five grown children. Jospophati spends his days tending his goats, and he likes to spend quiet time chatting with his wife. Since October 2017, Josophati has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Josophati's surgery. On February 8, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Josophati was thrilled to learn his surgery would be funded. He is looking forward to no longer dealing with the pain associated with his condition He says, "Thank you Watsi for this support."

Baguma is a motorcycle taxi operator from Uganda. His parents passed away when he was young, so he raised his three younger siblings. Ten years ago, Baguma developed a small, painless swelling in a sensitive area. However, over the years, it increased in size and became painful. He is worried about his future, as he can no longer sit comfortably on his motorcycle. Baguma traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 7, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Baguma needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. Baguma says, "I need help. I am unable to pay for my treatment. I don’t have money."