Kwangu is a farmer and a single mother of three adult children. She enjoys taking care of her grandchild and eating maize porridge with vegetables prepared with groundnut flour. Kwangu was diagnosed with a goiter, which was affecting her movement, daily activities, and health. She was referred to Partners in Hope Medical Center where she was told she needed a thyroidectomy, a procedure where surgeons remove a part or all of the thyroid glands. She is scheduled for surgery on February 27th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is requesting $1,015 for the procedure. Kwangu believes that the surgical operation will help her get back home and be with her children. She looks forward to getting better after surgery so she can continue her farm work and support her family as a single parent.

Romeo is a physically active father from the Philippines. Romeo currently lives with his wife since all their children already have their own families. They rely on Romeo's monthly pension which is just enough for their daily needs. Their children chip in for their expenses too but as a father, Romeo wants them to use the money for their own families instead of giving it to him and his wife. Romeo loves to play chess, jog, and play tennis. However, his symptoms now physically limit him. Last November, Romeo won a consolation prize of a sack of rice at a community raffle. When he lifted it, he felt pain but ignored it thinking about how happy his wife will be upon bringing home the prize. Since then, Romeo has dealt with inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him to feel weak and because of his condition, he cannot do physical activities like he used to. Fortunately, on February 16th, Romeo will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Romeo's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner is raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Romeo shared: "My pension will never be enough to pay for a surgery to treat me. So thank you very much for helping me even though I am already old."

Desire is a six-year-old girl from Uganda. She is the first born child in a family of three children and is currently enrolled in primary school. Both her parents are small-scale farmers on a limited income, barely enough to cover the family's needs. Three years ago, noticed a swelling develop in her umbilical region that grew in size and became painful. Concerned, her mother took her to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital, for treatment. Upon review, Desire was diagnosed with umbilical hernia and surgery was recommended, but her parents are unable to afford the treatment costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Desire receive treatment. On April 10th, surgeons at Rushoroza Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to relive her of pain and allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Now, Desire's family needs help to fund this $170 procedure. Desire’s mother says, “I hope my daughter will have a successful surgery with positive results. After complete recovery, I believe she will live a more improved and comfortable life. May God bless you.”