Scovia is 58 years old and a mother of nine from Uganda. When she was 10, she lost both of her parents within a short period, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by their grandmother. She and her husband depend on farming as the family’s main source of livelihood. They primarily grow food crops such as beans, maize, and potatoes for household consumption and sell any surplus produce to generate income for her family’s needs. Twenty years ago, Scovia began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling at the front of her neck. Because the swelling grew slowly and was not painful, she did not initially seek medical attention. However, about a month ago, she began experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and increasing breathing difficulties. Concerned about her worsening condition, she sought medical care at a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Scovia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 2nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Scovia says, “This has never been painful, but recently, I couldn’t breathe. Am always catching my breath and can’t do anything about it because of limited finances. I kindly appeal to you for support to have my surgery so I can continue farming and keep my children in school.”

Fanta is a 30-year-old woman from Mali. She is a homemaker who enjoys listening to the radio in her free time. Fanta is currently expecting her first child. Doctors have recommended that she deliver via caesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Muso, is helping Fanta undergo a C-Section on September 15th. This procedure will cost $259, and Fanta needs your support. Fanta says, "I look forward to delivering a healthy baby through the procedure."

Rayan is a two-week-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the only child in his family. His parents are farmers who cultivate maize to support their family. Rayan was born with clubfoot on his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bones are shorter than usual. This will affect his strength and mobility as he grows older. Rayan underwent casting to correct the position of his foot; however, when the cast was removed, a wound was discovered, and treatment was stopped. Fortunately, Rayan's mother was referred to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, for specialized care. Rayan has been scheduled to begin gentle manipulation and casting to gradually improve his foot alignment. His treatment will begin on October 15th, and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Rayan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his foot will be better aligned, and he will be able to crawl, walk, and play more comfortably as he grows. Rayan's mother shared, "After our first attempt at treatment, I was worried about my son's future. I am grateful that we have found another opportunity."