Damaris is a 48-year-old mother from Kenya. She resides in Ngarariga, in Kiambu County, with her husband and three children. Damaris is a homemaker, and her husband sells assorted items in Limuru. Their income is sufficient to pay for food and their children's education. For two years, Damaris has been experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding and cramping, this worsened in December 2023. It has worsened to the point of making caring for her children difficult and she is unable to socialize with her community. Damari went to the district hospital where she was diagnosed with fibroids of the uterus. The physicians recommend a hysterectomy, a surgery to remove the uterus. If this condition is not treated, she could develop severe anemia and the fibroids may eventually become cancerous. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $718 to fund Damaris's surgery. On February 27th, she will undergo a hysterectomy at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Damaris will be able to resume her previous activities and care for her children. “I have no words to explain how I am suffering with this bleeding. I humbly request help so that I can get back to my normal life and be able to take care of my family,” said Damaris.

Kyaw is a three-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, grandmother, and uncle in a village in Karen State, Burma. Kyaw’s mother looks after him and his grandmother while his uncle is a cow farmer. The family also raises chickens and pigs and sells them when they need money. In September 2023, Kyaw accidentally fell on a tree stump while he was playing with his friends. Kyaw was in pain and was brought to a nearby hospital where they found that he sustained an injury to his right kidney. However, due to insufficient equipment at the hospital, Kyaw could not be treated there. Kyaw is not comfortable sitting, so mostly he lies down. He has difficulty passing urine, his stomach is painful, and he cries a lot. Doctors want Kyaw to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Kyaw's CT scan and care, scheduled for April 4th. Kyaw’s mother said, “I felt hopeless when I learned that Kyaw needed further treatment in Chiang Mai because I have no money to afford his treatment. However, when I heard that there are donors and an organisation who will support my son’s treatment, I was very happy. Thank you so much for your support even though you have never seen us.”

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."