Mariam is a newborn baby in a family of two. Mariam's parents are farmers who work diligently on their farm to provide food and sell surplus harvests for additional income. Miriam was born with clubfoot on both feet. Her feet are twisted inward and downward. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Mariam's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on April 5th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Mariam's clubfoot repair. After treatment, her mobility will improve, and she will be able to wear shoes properly. Mariam’s mother says, “Please help my daughter. I hope she gets treatment and grows up to enjoy a life free from disability.”

Yuon is a retired rice farmer and loving grandmother from Kandal province, Cambodia. Recently widowed, she moved in with her daughter and helps care for her grandchild. Her daughter and son-in-law work as rice farmers. Yuon and her daughter dream of purchasing a street cart to start making and selling traditional Cambodian cakes. In her free time, she likes cooking and praying at the nearby pagoda. About two years ago, Yuon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision and fear of walking up and down steps in her traditional raised village house. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Yuon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On April 3rd, doctors will perform a small incision 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 $253 procedure. Yuon shared, "After I have surgery, I dream of a better vision. With renewed sight, I would feel safer walking around and crossing the road. I would like to take better care of my grandchild and open a business with my daughter for extra money."

58-year-old Natchokani is a widow from a village in Dedza District in Malawi. With seven children, six of whom have passed away, she now lives with her youngest child, who is 7 years old and attending primary school. Natchokani never had the opportunity to attend school, making it challenging for her to find employment. Consequently, she relies on farming to sustain herself and her son, growing maize, beans, and groundnuts for both sustenance and income. Twenty years ago, Natchokani noticed an itch and an uncomfortable feeling in her throat whenever she was eating. Shortly after, people in her vicinity informed her of a swelling on her neck, which she eventually noticed herself. The swelling has been increasing in size over the years but she never went to seek medical help in health centers as she did not have finances to pay for treatment. Instead, she tried traditional medicine to no avail. Natchokani has continued to experience severe headaches and pain in her upper back. She struggles to swallow and sometimes has shortness of breath when she is lying down. She is unable to carry a heavy load on her head, therefore making it difficult for her to carry out household chores such as fetching water, and firewood and going to the maize mill. One day while she was visiting a patient at our medical partner's care center Nkhoma Hospital, she was seen by a surgeon who later diagnosed her with a multinodular mass, and thyroidectomy was recommended. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $491 to fund Natchokani's thyroid surgery scheduled for March 7th. Following the surgery, her symptoms will be alleviated, allowing her to breathe more easily and engage in her daily tasks without discomfort. Natchokani says, “I hope to receive treatment and resume life without this condition so that I can take care of my only son.”