Iren is a 20-year-old lady from Kenya. Her father is a handyman who makes portable charcoal stoves to support the family, while her mother is a farmer. The couple has seven children and Iren's parents work hard to ensure that all of them receive an education. Iren completed her high school education and plans to continue studying once she is in better health. For the past two years, Iren has had a lump on the side of her chest. As the lump grew bigger, it became more painful and uncomfortable. Unfortunately, her parents could not afford the tests needed to get a proper diagnosis. Iren moved to her uncle's home and her uncle brought Iren to a hospital where she underwent several scans. Iren was then referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, and has been scheduled for mass excision surgery on September 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure so that Iren can recover, and continue pursuing her education. Iren said: “I feel like my life is on hold because I can’t proceed to college with this pain I am in.”

Jack Zing is a 40-year-old woman who lives with her friend in a refugee camp in Tak Province and works as a midwife at the clinic in the camp run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). She earns a monthly income of 3,222 baht (approx. $107 USD). She additionally receives 310 baht (approx. $10 USD) per month on a cash card from the organization The Border Consortium in the camp. This income is just enough to cover their daily expenses, but not enough for savings. The camp provides free health care through the IRC, but not for the care that she needs. Since 2020, Jack Zing has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, slight bleeding, unexplained fatigue and dizziness. She was diagnosed with adenomyoma with bilateral endometriotic cysts, and was advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Jack Zing's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Jack Zing is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 4th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,104 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, this treatment will help relieve her symptoms, including the pain and bleeding. Jack Zing says, “I felt very sad and worried when I learnt that I needed surgery, because I couldn’t afford to pay for the treatment. When I learnt that Burma Children's Medical Fund (BCMF) and donors will support the cost of my surgery treatment, I was very happy. I would like to thank all the donors and BCMF. When I recover fully, I will continue working as a midwife at IRC and also pursue my interest in sewing."

Talina is a mother of two children from Malawi. Her older son works in construction, and the youngest is in school. Talina’s husband works as a mechanic while she sells second-hand clothes. Talina likes chatting with the family and enjoys eating chips served with fish. Since October 2023, Talina has been experiencing abdominal pains and bleeding. She has been diagnosed with huge uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. She was scheduled for surgery at a nearby hospital, but due to a long wait list, the surgery was never done. Her condition worsened, affecting her business as she spent more time at home or visiting hospitals. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. They are requesting $1,363 to fund Talina's surgery. On July 6th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Talina will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Talina said, “I am so happy to have been considered for financial support. I have hope that the surgery will restore my health enabling me to live a healthy life again and resume my business afterward.”

Phyu is 44-year-old seamstress from Thailand. She lives with her roommate, who works at the same factory. In her free time, Phyu likes to cook, clean, and talk to her daughter who lives in Myanmar. At the beginning of 2023, Phyu started experiencing back and abdominal pain. After seeking treatment she was diagnosed with adenomyosis, a condition where endometrial tissue grows into the uterine wall. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Phyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Phyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 9th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, This procedure will eliminate her pain and allow her to return to work. Phyu said, “I really hope I can continue to sew after the surgery, as I enjoy doing it and I like my career.”

Clara is a small-scale farmer, farming maize, rice, and legumes. Like many farmers this year, Clara complained of a small yield from this harvest season. She is 65 years old and a single mother of five children. With no support from their father since their separation, she struggled to take care of her children. Clara shares her home with her daughter and grandchildren. Earlier this year in March, Clara went to inspect her rice farm together with her sister. Her sister couldn’t help but notice that Clara was unusually quiet and looked weak. As they went about their inspection, Clara screamed in agony whilst holding her abdomen and collapsed to the ground. She was rushed to a mission hospital in Dedza where she was admitted for three days. On June 3rd, Clara visited Nkhoma Hospital on clinic day after three months of continuous illness. Clara faints, vomits, and does not eat enough. Clara was diagnosed with a gastrointestinal stromal tumor and the recommended procedure is a laparotomy and wedge resection of the tumor. This surgery will improve Clara’s current health status greatly. The tumor will be removed and should no longer experience pain. Her surgery is scheduled for July 3rd. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $709 for treatment. This will cover the costs of medications, surgery, care supplies, and hospital stay. Clara says, "For me, being able to eat and not have fainting spells and abdominal pains will be a huge blessing in my life. I look forward to good health after the surgery is successful.”

Naw Kay is a 23-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives together with her husband, her son, two little brothers, her parents and her grandmother in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand. She is originally from Burma, but she fled to the refugee camp with her family in June 2011 due to armed conflict in their area. She got married and worked at a women's organization for a year after she graduated from school. She stopped working when she became three months pregnant. Presently, Naw Kay is a homemaker, taking care of her son. Her husband works in the Camp Information Team. His salary is 1000 baht (approx. $32 USD) per month. Every month the family receives 2,349 baht (approx. $78 USD) from The Border Consortium. Their monthly total income is not enough to cover their daily expenses. They receive free basic health care in the refugee camp, provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand. Naw Kay is currently expecting her second child. Due to a high risk pregnancy, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Nay Kay undergo a C-Section on October 2nd. This procedure will cost $1500, and Nay Kay needs your support. Naw Kay says, "In the future, I aspire to work as a midwife or nurse in a camp hospital, contributing to the well-being of my community."

Rahab is a 51-year-old woman from Kenya. She is married and has three children. Rahab and her husband used to work, but when COVID-19 struck, they both lost their jobs. Struggling to sustain their family, they returned to their family home, where they now engage in small-scale farming. Although their income is limited, it is enough to cover their family's basic needs. For about a year, Rahab has been experiencing intermittent, excessive bleeding. She initially sought treatment at a nearby hospital but was eventually referred to our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, where she was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. Unfortunately, due to their current financial situation, Rahab and her husband cannot afford the cost of the surgery and need assistance. If left untreated, Rahab will continue to experience bleeding, which could lead to complications such as anemia. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $657 to fund Rahab's surgery. On September 27th, she will undergo gynecological surgery that will help Rahab resume her daily activities free of pain. Rahab said “I have been weak due to excessive bleeding, and I live in fear of the unknown because of the fibroids, I am unable to afford the treatment advised and seek your help to restore my health. After the treatment, I will be able to work to provide for my family”

Mu Lar is a 16-year-old girl from Thailand. She works as a farmer alongside her two older sisters and her parents. Mu Lar's family also raises pigs and sells them for income. During her free time, Mu Lar enjoys playing games on her phone, listening to music, and talking to her mother. In November 2023, Mu Lar started to experience headaches and dizziness accompanied by occasional vomiting. There was also a yellow discharge from her right ear. Mu Lar has been diagnosed with chronic otomastoiditis, an inflammation of the middle ear, and the mastoid process of the temporal bone. The doctor planned to perform a right-modified radical mastoidectomy, a procedure to remove mastoid air cells, the eardrum, most of the middle ear structures, and the ear canal. Mu Lar sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on September 5th. Mu Lar is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Mu Lar said, "Fellow villagers told me that I might not be able to speak afterward, which worried me. However, the doctor said it was incorrect. Thank you, Watsi, for helping me get surgery. After I recover, I want to continue helping my family on the farm."

Naw Hser is a 21-year-old woman, currently living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her husband, son, parents-in-law, and two brothers-in-law. She is originally from Karen State in Myanmar, and has been at the refugee camp since March 2020. Her plans to return to Myanmar after visiting her brother were interrupted by unexpected COVID-19 travel restrictions and the ensuing civil war, leaving her far away from her home. Presently, her husband works twice a week as a laborer, unloading food rations from trucks. Naw Hser and her parents-in-law manage the household, while one of her brothers-in-law is a student and the other works as a day laborer. Her husband's aunt, who lives in the US sends them 3,300 baht (approx. 100 USD) once a year. They also receive 1,172 baht (approx. 39 USD) on a cash card every month from The Border Consortium. Their total monthly income of 3,047 baht (approx. 102 USD) is hardly enough to cover their basic needs. They receive free basic health care in the hospital in the refugee camp. Naw Hser is currently expecting her second child. Due to a higher-risk pregnancy, her doctors have recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Hser undergo a C-Section on August 14th. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Hser needs your support. Naw Hser says: "I aspire to become an assistant teacher at a nursery school in the future."

Agnes is a mother of one from Uganda. Agnes practices small-scale farming around their village. She lost her husband a few months ago due to an accident. Agnes is currently expecting her second child and doctors recommend she deliver via a c-section due to a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Agnes undergo a C-Section on August 10th. This procedure will cost $214 and Agnes needs your support. Agnes says, “I really need help and am not able to pay for myself, Otherwise I pray to God so that I can heal as soon as possible and be able to support my family.’’

Magdaline is a 47-year-old woman from Kenya. She resides with her husband and four children in Gitithia village, Lari Sub County in Kiambu County. Neither Magdaline nor her husband works, and they mainly depend on the income they receive from their small piece of land. The company her husband used to work for closed after the onset of COVID-19, while Magdaline used to be a cook at a nearby school. Two months ago, Magdaline began experiencing heavy bleeding and lower abdominal pains. She sought medical treatment, but the bleeding continued. Magdaline was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and doctors recommended for her to have a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Unfortunately, Magdalene and her husband cannot afford the cost of this treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $657 to fund Magdaline's surgery. On July 31st, she will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Magdaline will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “This problem is making it difficult for me to care for my family and even to socialize; I cannot go out to visit friends or family. I am kindly requesting for consideration so that my life can be normal again, and I can continue with my house chores without problems,” said Magdaline.

Bertha is a 45-year-old woman from Malawi. She runs a small restaurant in the village, while her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver. Their only daughter moved to South Africa to work. Bertha likes resting after doing house chores and enjoys eating nsima, a traditional Malawian porridge, served with chicken. For two years, Bertha has been experiencing abdominal pains associated with dizziness. In January 2024, her symptoms got worse and she experienced heart palpitations with some bleeding making her unable to continue running her business. A week ago, she visited our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, and was examined by a gynecologist. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors in the uterus. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Bertha's surgery. On August 20th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once recovered, Bertha will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Bertha said, “I am looking forward to that surgery day for me to regain my peace of mind and resume my business after surgery. I am tired of being supported by my young brother when I can support myself.”