Seven-year-old Debi is a student living in Ethiopia, with his parents and younger sister. Debi's childhood should be full of play and learning, but it has unfortunately been shaped by illness instead. For more than four years, Debi has lived with epilepsy, for which he takes medicine on a daily basis to control his seizures. Over the past year, a second problem has made life even more difficult. His tonsils repeatedly became badly infected, and at one point, his condition grew so severe, that he had to leave his KG 2 class. His education has been on hold ever since. His swollen tonsils keep him in constant discomfort. He has high fevers that return again and again, and he struggles to swallow his food, snores heavily, and is unable to sleep through the night. When the infection flares up, his parents have to rush him to the hospital, and he often stays there for days. The family is also under great strain for other reasons. Last year, Debi's father, a civil servant, was badly hurt in a car accident, and has only recently returned to work after a prolonged absence. His mother finished her studies last year, but has not been able to find a job. For Debi's parents, the cost of caring for him is overwhelming. Each flare-up brings another emergency trip to the hospital, and his seizure medicine is a cost they must meet every month. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Debi, which is scheduled to take place on October 17th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Debi of his symptoms, and helping him to live more comfortably. "We wish to see him strong again, sleeping through the night, and back at school with his friends. That would bring our family so much relief," said Debi's parents.

Mab is a 28-year-old car repairman from Cambodia. He is married and lives in Kampong Cham Province with his wife, who sells fruit at a local market. They do not yet have children and are currently supporting their elderly parents. In his free time, he enjoys chatting with friends in the village. In 2015, Mab was involved in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a fracture of his left femur. He was treated at a government hospital, where the fracture was managed surgically with intramedullary nailing. During the procedure, metal hardware was inserted to stabilize the bone and promote healing. Although the fracture has healed, he continues to experience intermittent pain, stiffness, and discomfort around the implant site. This affects his mobility, comfort, and ability to perform daily work activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 10th, Mab will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help relieve pain and stiffness, improve comfort, and restore better mobility, allowing him to return more comfortably to his normal daily and working life. Mab can contribute $50, but needs help raising $328 to fund his procedure and care. Mab said, “I hope the surgery to remove the IM nail will relieve my discomfort and allow me to move more freely without pain or stiffness.”

Eunice is a 46-year-old woman from Uganda. She is one of 14 children and was raised by parents who worked as farmers. Eunice is married with one child, her husband works as a teacher at a private school while she works as a cleaner at a health center. She also enjoys making baskets and knitting tablecloths, which provide an outlet for her creativity and resourcefulness. Four years ago, Eunice began experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding. Initially, she experienced irregular, prolonged, and heavy menstrual bleeding. However, her symptoms worsened considerably over the past three months, and she is now experiencing severe abdominal pain, headaches, and dizziness, which are significantly affecting her physical well-being and ability to participate in daily activities and work. Eunice was referred to our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital. Upon medical examination, Eunice was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and persistent abnormal uterine bleeding. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Eunice's surgery. On November 2nd, she will undergo gynecological surgery, and once recovered, Eunice hopes to resume her daily activities with greater comfort and an improved quality of life. Eunice says, “Despite the pain and challenges I am going through, I remain hopeful that with support and proper treatment, I will regain my health, continue caring for my child, and return to my daily responsibilities. I kindly appeal for assistance to help me access the surgery I urgently need and have a chance to live a healthier and more fulfilling life.”