Sorn is a 70-year-old proud mother of seven and grandmother of five who lives in the Battambang province of Cambodia. Her husband passed away 15 years ago and her children live far away, tending their own farms. Sorn lives alone and enjoys listening to local monks pray on the radio. For the past five years, Sorn has had headaches, nasal congestion with sneezing, and a chronic runny nose, making it difficult for her to breathe. She feels embarrassed to visit her family and neighbors due to her affliction, so she spends much time alone at home. Sorn visited a local hospital for care but was unable to afford the cost of treatment, and medicine from her local pharmacy did not help. Sorn heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor, and traveled six hours for diagnosis and treatment. ENT surgeons from CSC diagnosed her with nasal polyps and have planned a bilateral nasal polypectomy for January 17th. Sorn's family has put together $37.50 toward her treatment, and CSC is requesting $397 for the full cost. The requested amount will include the operation, hospitalization, and post-op medications. After surgery, Sorn should be able to breathe more easily through her nose and no longer have pain. Sorn shared, "After surgery, I hope to breathe easily through my nose and stop my headaches. I want to plant my vegetables to sell at the market and support my own living."

Tukwasibwe is a 45-year-old woman from Uganda and a mother to eight children. Four of her children are still in school, and the others are working. Tukwasibwe and her husband practice small-scale farming and sell their surplus produce to provide income for their family. Thirty-four years ago, Tukwasibwe began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing and breathing and an inability to speak for long periods. She visited the health center at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). The doctors diagnosed the condition as a goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. Tukwasibwe needs to undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. AMH is helping Tukwasibwe receive treatment. On November 29th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, during which the surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to fund Tukwasibwe's surgery. Tukwasibwe shared: “I will be grateful when my condition is relieved. I have been long-suffering with this. I beg for God's mercy over this condition and support over my surgery.”

James is a 63yr old man from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. He is married and has eight children - some of still in high school while others are married. Formerly, James worked in the forestry department for twenty years and he managed to educate his children as he used to earn a salary. Currently he is a farmer who plants maize, millet and sorghum in his small piece of land for consumption and sale. He has been able to get his basic needs and that of his family through the sale of farm produce. He has no medical coverage or insurance at the moment. Recently, James fell down and rolled down a hill when he was attempting to move his cow. He is in a lot of pain, unable to use both legs. The timing of his injury is unfortunate, because he needs to tend to his farm. He has nothing that can enable him get funds at the moment. Two of his sons managed to get ksh 10,000 which is not even a quarter of the required amount for his procedure. James has suffered fractures around both his knee joints, and they require special attention so that they may not damage the articular cartilage. He needs an urgent procedure on one of his limbs, which will also enable him undergo the surgery he needs on his other leg more quickly as well. The finance issue is barring him from getting his surgery. He is now appealing to all well-wishers for help in order to get his surgery done. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 7th, James will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will no longer be in pain, and will be able to walk, work and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. James says, “I am in so much pain. I cannot imagine that I am not able to walk and do things on my own. I don’t regret anything, I just thank God who protected my life. Kindly help me so that I may not become a burden to my children.”