Faith is a 33-year-old mother of two from Kenya. She is a hard worker, washing clothes for neighbors, and her husband is a small-scale farmer. Seven years ago, Faith began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling on her neck. This swelling has progressively grown. Faith has sought help at the hospital in the past, has received prescriptions, and has had two ultrasound scans. Recently, Faith was advised to come to our medical partner's care center where her condition was reviewed by a surgeon. She was diagnosed with a nodular goiter--an enlarged thyroid gland with an irregular growth of thyroid cells that form a lump. If not treated, the goiter may continue to grow, leading to other complications. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Faith receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of her thyroid gland, on November 23rd at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $657, and she and her family need help raising money. Faith says, “I am tired of going to hospital, yet my neck continues swelling, even affecting my self-esteem. It isn't as easy to be happy with friends as I used to be. Kindly help me so that I can be well again and regain my normal life.”

Alex is a 50-year-old father from Uganda. He and his wife have 3 children, all of whom are married and self-employed. His wife engages in small-scale farming, primarily producing food for the family's consumption with a small surplus for sale, and Alex manages a small retail shop to support his livelihood and the entire family. For 5 years, Alex has had reducible right inguinal (groin area) hernia and right inguinal swelling. He states that it comes and goes over time and hinders his ability to walk. This has had a negative impact on his work performance in his business and has consequently resulted in a lower quality of life. If left untreated, these symptoms could persist and eventually lead to strangulation. Alex underwent a surgical procedure on the left side of his inguinal region six years ago. Unfortunately, he has now developed a similar condition on the right side. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Alex is scheduled to undergo a hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center on August 8th. AMH is requesting $230 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Alex says, “I cannot afford this surgery but if I get your support, I will have a restored and improved health thus able to continue with my business for a living.”

Meareth is a 10-year-old fifth grader who lives in Kandal province with her parents and older brother. Her brother is a senior in high school, where both of Meareth's parents work as teachers of Cambodian studies. In her free time, Meareth likes reading and playing with her friends. Her dream is to attend university and become an English teacher. Three years ago, Meareth developed itchy painful ears after having her ears pierced at a house in her village. Since then, a worrying mass has formed on her right earlobe. The mass is uncomfortable and growing in size. She experiences pain and feels embarrassed at school. Meareth and her mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 21st, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Meareth's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Her mother said, "I hope she can have the cyst removed so she can feel better and I can stop worrying about my daughter."