Run is 74 years old and lives with her husband in a small neighborhood of Kandal province, Cambodia. Their family is mainly supported by their second child, who works as a laborer, while their first child is married and lives nearby. In her free time, Run enjoys listening to the news and monks’ sermons on the radio. Two months ago, Run slipped and fell while walking around her house, resulting in a fracture of her hip bone. She experiences severe hip pain and has great difficulty walking, standing, and performing daily activities. Initially, she went to a hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the fracture, and surgery was recommended. However, she could not afford the treatment. She then sought traditional Khmer medicine, but her condition did not improve. On February 4th, with the help of our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, Run will undergo a hip hemi-arthroplasty procedure on her left hip. The surgery will help relieve her pain, improve her ability to walk and stand, and allow her to perform daily activities more comfortably. She is able to contribute $100 and needs support for the remaining $612. This cost will cover surgery, medications, post-operative care, and rehabilitation. Run said, “I hope that after surgery I will be able to walk normally again, live without pain, and take care of myself independently.”

Harriet is a 57-year-old mother of two, who lives in Uganda. Years ago, she lost her husband and when life became extremely difficult, her aunt supported her in starting a roadside grocery business where she sells tomatoes, carrots, mangoes, and cabbage. Through this effort, she has been able to sustain her household and support her children’s education. Her eldest child has just completed Senior 6, while the youngest is in Senior 3. She works tirelessly to provide her children with an education so they can have a bright future. Three years ago, Harriet began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling in her neck, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, daily headaches and neck pain, especially when turning her head. She visited a nearby health center where she was given oral medication, and advised to seek care from a larger health facility. However, due to limited finances, she resorted to traditional treatments, including native herbs, which she used for almost a year without any improvement. Recently, Harriet learnt that one of her customers had received surgical care for the same condition she had, at our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale. The news gave her hope. When her children were home for holidays, she finally had the opportunity to visit the hospital for a review. Harriet was diagnosed with an obstructive goiter, an abnormally enlarged 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 Harriet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 3rd at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money to fully fund the surgery and her care. Harriet says, “The pain I am going through is too much, my income capacity can’t enable me raise the money needed to cover my hospital bill. I kindly seek your support.”

Sophea is 18 years old and a young factory worker from Cambodia. She lives in a small village in Battambang province with her parents, who are cassava farmers. She is the middle child of three siblings. Her older brother works as a construction worker to help support the family, and her younger sister is studying in Grade 5. Due to financial difficulties, she stopped studying in Grade 10. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies and listening to music. Four months ago, Sophea was involved in a traffic accident when another motorcycle suddenly collided with her, causing paralysis to her left hand. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She is unable to lift or properly use her left hand and experiences pain and stiffness in her fingers. This makes it difficult for her to perform daily activities such as dressing, cooking, and holding objects. The weakness and discomfort forced her to stop working, adding financial stress to her family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sophea receive treatment. She traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On February 26th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, The treatment will help improve movement and strength in her left hand, reduce pain and stiffness, and gradually restore hand function. Sophea's family can contribute $100, but needs help to raise $637 more to fund her surgery and care. Sophea said, “Since the accident, I have not been able to use my left hand like before. I hope this treatment will help me regain strength so I can return to my normal life and support my family again.”