Masereka is an 18-year-old gardener from Uganda. He has three siblings that are all in school. His father is alive, but his mother has passed away. Three years ago, Masereka developed pain and swelling in his left inguinal area. He works in the gardens, but with much difficulty. He is unable to lift heavy items due to the pain. His parents took him to hospital two years ago where he was diagnosed with hernia, but they couldn’t afford to pay for his treatment. If left untreated, Masereka may suffer many complications. For $249, Masereka will undergo hernia repair surgery. After surgery, Masereka plans to look for a job and take a vocational course. He would also like to go back to Primary school. “I am requesting for help for my surgery and my wish is to get money and go to school,” Masereka shared.

Gumisiriza is a 24-year-old young man from Uganda. His father passed on and he lives with his mother. Gumisiriza went to school up to Senior Four. He has no formal employment, but he volunteers at church as Sacristan. He is happiest when he is serving and praying at Church. Gumisiriza developed a swelling in the epigastric region (upper abdomen) seven years ago. Due to the pain, he is unable to dig, carry heavy items, or walk long distances. He visited a hospital in 2011 and was advised to have surgery, but his mother couldn’t afford to pay for it. Gumisiriza was given medicine which provided him a little relief, but after some time the pain came back. If not treated, the hernia (part of the intestine protrudes through the abdominal wall) could become stuck, leading to damage to the intestine or even the stomach. $249 will cover the cost of the surgery and care Gumisiriza needs. After recovery he hopes to be able to work in the gardens.

"My dream is to one day own some land and build a home for my family,” says Geoffrey, a 65-year-old husband and father from Kenya who works as a grounds keeper and gardener. Geoffrey came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), with a broken left ankle after being struck by a car while walking along the side of the road. “Geoffrey is not able to walk on his own without support,” explains AMHF. “He cannot put pressure on his left foot, and this has made it impossible for him to work for the past few weeks.” Without the income from his job, Geoffrey has had to incur debt to pay his medical bills, and he and his family are unable to raise money to pay for additional care. Treatment for Geoffrey’s ankle fracture is surgery—an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF)—to reposition and set the broken bone to enable proper healing. “If the surgery is not done, Geoffrey could suffer malunion or develop an infection,” explains AMHF. $660 in funding pays for the surgery as well as medications and four days of hospital care. “After treatment and recovery, Geoffrey will be able to walk on his own again and put pressure on his left foot,” shares AMHF. “He will be able to continue working and support his family.” “I want to get well so that I can go back to work,” says Geoffrey. Let’s help fund surgery for Geoffrey!

Meet Mech, a 20-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us, “Mech works in a garment factory and likes to study English in her free time. She lives alone and sends money back to her family in the countryside.” CSC explains, “For the last ten years Mech has had chronic ear infections, which led to a perforated ear drum and consistent ear discharge. She was treated at another local hospital but her condition got worse.” Mech has chronic otitis media, an infection of the middle ear. This condition impairs her hearing and causes discomfort and pain. Mech needs a myringoplasty—a procedure to close the perforation in her eardrum and drain excess fluid from the ear. This procedure costs $399 and CSC says that with it, “Mech will no longer have discharge and her hearing will improve.” CSC shares, “Mech hopes that after her operation she can go back to work and hear other people better.”

“Hugo is a highly motivated man who dreams of getting back to his old life, being able to work, hang out with his friends and family without stigma or shame, and being able to be independent,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, shares. Hugo, a 45-year-old man from Guatemala, has a bilateral arm amputation. In January, he lost both arms in a severe electrocution accident, which has made him unable to continue working and unable to care for himself. For $1255, Hugo can receive two prosthetic arms so he can regain his independence. He tells us, “this injury was the worst thing that has ever happened to me, but I’m happy to be alive, and I’m excited to have prosthetic arms and get back to work.” Let’s help him out!

Meet Sochea, a 26-year-old woman from Cambodia! Sochea works in a garment factory to support herself. When she isn't working, she likes to read books and listen to music. Sochea fractured her finger while working and can't afford treatment. She's tried traditional healing methods, but hasn't seen any improvement. Sochea can't use her finger or work until her finger is healed. For $450, we can give Sochea a osteotomy correction. This will set the bone in her hand correctly and let it heal properly. Let's help Sochea regain full use of her hand!

Margaret is a lovely woman who lives in Kenya. Although Margaret and her husband have always wanted children, she has been unable to become pregnant. She recently discovered it was because she has large uterine fibroids. This condition has caused Margaret to experience severe abdominal pain and swelling, making it difficult for her to walk. Margaret has also become anemic due to bleeding caused by the fibroids. Margaret moved in with her sister when she became ill, but she's now miles away from her husband. Margaret's sister sells vegetables at a local market and cares for her six children. Though she does her best to support her sister, she does not have the money or time to give Margaret the care she needs. For $885, Margaret will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This surgery will eliminate Margaret's risk of fibroids and allow her to return home to live with her husband.

Lilian is excitedly expecting her first child, but needs help paying for maternal health services that can keep her and her baby safe during and after delivery. Lilian lives with her husband in Kenya. The two work as farmers tending to maize, beans, and sugarcane for their family's consumption and to sell at a local market for additional money. Lilian's husband also works as a carpenter in an effort to support his wife and soon-to-be growing family. Lilian has gone to her local maternal and child health clinic to receive a birth plan but she has been experiencing pain in her abdomen, headaches, and fatigue after working on her feet for long hours. Lilian should take time to rest, but she says she must continue to work to support herself and her unborn child. For $215, Lilian will give birth in a health facility under the supervision of qualified medical professionals. This fee will ensure that Lilian receives the care she needs during delivery and that her child receives a medical checkup and immunizations.