Madalo is a 34-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is married with three children; two of them school-going, and a nine-month-old infant. Madalo did not have an opportunity to complete school and therefore finds it difficult to get a regular job that can support her family. She takes on temporary jobs to sustain her family since her husband is unemployed. Since the birth of her third child, Madalo has been experiencing a swelling in a sensitive area which has been causing pain in her lower abdomen whenever she walks short distances. Madalo gave birth to all her children via C-section and so her friends all told her that the pain was normal. The pain however persisted, making it hard for Madalo to work on household chores or take on casual jobs. She decided to visit our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Mission Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and surgery was recommended. However, Madalo is unable to afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Madalo receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to alleviate pain and prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Now, Madalo needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Madalo says, “I am looking forward to being free of the pain and discomfort. Thank you for your support”

Simon is a 33-year-old man from Kiambu County in Kenya. He is the firstborn in a family of two children. Simon is now married and a father of two of his own children, aged 10 and 7. He is known for his hard work and dedication. He managed to acquire a motorbike, which he used for ferrying riders to support his family. His wife engages in a casual job cooking in a nursery school. Regrettably, in May 2022, Simon had an accident while driving his motorbike. The incident resulted in an open fracture of the left tibia/fibula bones in the leg. He sought medical attention and underwent surgery. However, after about a year, it was discovered that his injury was not healing as expected. The plate was subsequently removed, and a plaster cast was applied. By October 2023, the plaster cast was also removed due to significant pain. A repeat X-ray revealed that the fibula bone had united, but the tibia bone had not. Simon has non-union of the broken bones, prompting the surgeon to recommend another surgery to help him fully heal. Unfortunately, Simon's inability to work currently has left him unable to cover the costs associated with the recommended surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 1st, Simon will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will reduce the risk of permanent disability and non-union in his leg, enabling him to regain mobility. His current situation not only jeopardizes his ability to return to work but also places a strain on his responsibilities as the head of a family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Simon said, “I am desperate and at the mercy of the doctor. I hope I can get sponsorship so that my leg can be well again; I can be able to walk and also resume my job because my family is looking up on me.”

Ny is a 62-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has a daughter, three sons, and five grandchildren. She and her husband live near their children and help them on the farm. She enjoys keeping the house clean, cooking for her family, and listening to local monks pray. Three months ago, she was in a motorbike accident and fell on her left forearm, fracturing her forearm bones. Pins and wires were inserted by a local hospital to support the bones until they healed. The pins, called K-wires, have migrated out of their intended location and must be removed. The wires cause pain, increase the chance of infection, and risk injury to nerves or tendons. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 12th, Ny will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. This procedure will remove the misaligned pins and allow her fractures to continue to heal. Ny said, "I hope to have no pain, and my arm will heal well so I can take care of my family."