Give the gift of healthcare

Shazma is a 2-year-old and the last born in a family of three children. She is a friendly and cheerful girl who already loves playing! Shazma's mother was laid off from her work at a horticulture farm due to the pandemic, and her father works as a cook at a local guest house. The parents used to support each other on payment of bills but now Shazma's father is the only earner while her mother takes care of the children at home. Shazma was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus which causes her legs to bend outward and results in difficulty walking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shazma on April 16th. Treatment will ensure Shazma's mobility as she grows, allow her to participate in all she wants to do, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Shazma’s mother shared, "My daughter is in need of treatment to repair her legs. She currently struggles a lot to walk but the cost of treatment is not something we cannot afford. Kindly help our daughter if it’s possible."

Netsanet is a 5-month-old baby girl from Ethiopia. She has seven siblings and loves to play with all of them along with her mom and dad. Netsanet's dad is a traditional farmer. He has no land of his own, but farms another person's land and shares the fruit with the owner. He also does labor work in his free time to earn more for their family. Most of the kids in the house attend school, but the oldest ones have also started working to support their family. Netsanet was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction and reduce the risk of serious complications. Netsanet is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on April 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Netsanet's procedure and care. After her recovery, Netsanet will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Netsanet's dad shared, “After receiving this treatment, I hope my baby will be able to use the bathroom comfortably.”

Batabara is a small scale farmer and a mother of three. Her children are grown now--they are all married and help to support her in small ways, though her primary income still comes from her small scale farming. Batabara lost her husband in 1998. Over the years, she has worked hard to put up a two-roomed semi-permanent house for herself. About six years ago, she started feeling lower abdominal pain. Over this period, she has been to several hospitals trying to seek help. Unfortunately, all the medication she has been receiving have not been working to help her heal. She was reviewed at Rushoroza hospital and diagnosed with pelvic inflammatory disease and requires a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH). Successful surgery will reduce the chances of the inflammation becoming malignant and will allow her to continue working. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $228 to fund Batabara's surgery. On April 10th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Batabara will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Batabara says, “I would comfortably resume farming to be able to take care of myself once given treatment.”

Sarah is a 73-year-old woman who is currently living with one of her four children. She used to run a green grocery shop that she closed down almost a year ago. She doesn’t have a source of income now and relies on her children for survival. Although they are supportive, she shared that all of her children don’t have stable jobs and income. In February, Sarah was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, which is a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Sarah. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 9th. After treatment, Sarah will hopefully be cancer free. Sarah shared, “my happiness is gone, I feel sad and demoralized. I have no reason to smile or to be jovial since I will be losing one of my breasts. I know this surgery is important but sadly I cannot afford the entire cost. I hope to get the surgery and be fine again.”

Naw Mu is a five-year-old girl who lives with her family in a refugee camp in Northern Thailand. Naw Mu, her older brother and older sister are all primary school students. Her mother is a homemaker and her father works as a day laborer outside of the camp when he can. Her parents also look after a small shop in the camp. Her family's combined income is just enough to cover their family expenses and are grateful they can receive basic healthcare and education in the camp. On April 8th, Naw Mu was playing with her friends when she fell to the ground and injured her left arm. Her mother immediately took her to the hospital in the camp, run by Malteser International Thailand. When the medics examined her arm, they suspected that Naw Mu's forearm was fractured and referred her to another hospital to confirm her diagnosis. After Naw Mu received an x-ray, the doctor confirmed that Naw Mu's radius and ulna bones are broken. Currently, Naw Mu is experiencing pain in her left arm and has to take pain medication to have comfort and to sleep. She cannot lift her left hand or move it around. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Naw Mu will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for April 9th and will cost $1,500. With this treatment, she will no longer be in pain and she will be able to move her hand and arm fully again in the future. Naw Mu's father shared, “my daughter loves to play outsides with her friends and watching cartoon clips on the phone. After she receives surgery, I hope that she is able to play with her friends again.”

Tukahumura is a 60-year-old small scale farmer and a mother of seven children. Her firstborn is 40 years old, while her last born child is 23 years old and in secondary school class six. All her children are married except her last born, all have their own family responsibilities. Her husband passed away in 2009, leaving her with a semi-permanent house and a few cows which helped her in paying school fees for her children. In her free time, Tukahumura likes exercising by walking around her farm. Eight years ago, Tukahumura began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. She also complains of being unable to carry heavy loads on her head due to severe neck pains. Tukahumura was diagnosed with multinodular goitre. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tukahumura receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 6th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Tukahumura and her family need your support. Tukahumura shared, "I pray that I may be considered for treatment. After treatment, I hope to comfortably resume my farming."

Mugabirwe is a 45-year-old woman from Western Uganda. Both she and her husband are farmers. They have six children and their youngest is still in school. Mugabirwe also takes up casual labor projects in their community to make a living for their family. For the past five years, Mugabirwe has been experiencing pain in her lower abdomen that radiates to her back and fatigue that limits her from engaging in strenuous work for long. When she visited our medical partner's care center, she had a pelvic scan and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst that needs to be removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $220 to fund Mugabirwe's procedure. On April 9th, she will undergo surgery at AMH's care center. Once treated, Mugabirwe will be free from pain and the chances of the cyst becoming malignant will be reduced. Mugabirwe shared, “I hope to get well after the treatment and have reduced pain to continue tending to the farm and raising my family."

Pov is a 45-year-old watermelon farmer who lives with her son who is a server in a restaurant. Pov enjoys watching Chinese dramas on TV and listening to the radio. Three years ago, Pov developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her irritation, itching, and discomfort with her appearance. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucus 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. When Pov learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her son seeking treatment. Pov 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 April 6. Pov shared, "I hope after surgery my eye will feel comfortable and without irritation or tearing. I want to start planting watermelon again when I am better."

Mbabazi is a 64-year-old small scale farmer and a mother to one child. She works hard and supplements her income by working casual jobs in other people's farms. For close to three years now, Mbabazi has had severe lower abdominal pain associated with backache and other symptoms. Mbabazi is not able to do strenuous work due to back pain. She had been managing the pain with painkillers until she visited Nyakibale Hospital, where doctors recommend that she have a hysterectomy to treat her condition. Once treated, she will be out of risk of anaemia. However, Mbabazi cannot afford the cost of her care, and appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Mbabazi's surgery. On April 6th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Mbabazi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Mbabazi shared, "My only hopes of having my health restored is by undergoing surgery and with your support, I hope it will surely be possible. I really hope the severe pain and bleeding will end."

Tugumisirize is a 22-year-old university student completing a certificate in accounts. She has one brother who helps support her and works as a a small scale farmer. He grows tomatoes for sale in order to maintain his family and afford his sister's school fees. For the last four years, Tugumisirize has had an umbilicus swelling that has become painful. She has been diagnosed with an incisional hernia. The hernia feels especially painful when she strains to move around. Tugumisirize was slated for surgery in 2020 to treat her condition, but her surgery was postponed when she developed fascites, also known as fluid accumulation in the abdominal area. Tugumisirize is unable to afford the cost of her care. Her brother works very hard to help pay for any school or medical bills she may have, but is unable to support the full cost of her surgery. She appeals for financial help. Fortunately, on April 6th, Tugumisirize will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Tugumisirize's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently, and she will be able to continue her studies in good health. Tugumisirize shared, "My only hope of regaining my health back is undergoing surgery and with your support, I think it will be possible for me to continue with my education well.”

Sok Thorn is a 66-year-old rice farmer with two daughters, five sons, and seven grandchildren. Sok Thorn lives with her husband and her eldest daughter who is a garment worker. Nowadays given her vision, Sok Thorn does not work in the rice field and instead stays home to take care of her grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Sok Thorn developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sok Thorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled with her grandchild seeking treatment. On April 6th, 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. Sok Thorn shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can see things well and go to the pagoda by myself."

Mbabazi is a a 50-year-old farmer and mother of seven children, two of whom are currently in school. Both she and her husband work hard at farming to make ends meet and pay for their children's school fees. Twelve years ago, Mbabazi began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling, breathing and swallowing problems. She has tried different oral medications including traditional medicines to no avail. At Nyakibale Hospital, she had a scan done, revealing a multinodular goitre that requires surgery. Successful surgery will reduce the chances of complications including neck swell and breathing problems. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mbabazi receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 6th 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. Mbabazi shared, “I hope the neck swelling will be over and at least my breathing and swallowing difficulties shall be over. I will continue caring for my family after full recovery.”