Angela is a 62-year-old woman with two grown sons. During her childhood, her dream was to be a teacher however she has to stop school at Primary 6 due to financial constraints. She is married and she and her husband farm for a living. They live in a traditional mud house in southwestern Uganda. Two years ago, Angela began experiencing lower abdominal pain and backache. Due to limited finances, Angela had never seen a doctor but when symptoms became severe, she decided to seek medical help and was diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesion. She needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 22nd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund this procedure. Once she has recovered, Angela will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She says, “I hope for a complete recovery and I have faith that I will get better.”

Valentino is a preschooler from Bolivia who lives with his mother and four older brothers. He loves to watch cartoons and enjoys his mother's s cooking. However, it is difficult for him to gain weight. Valentino has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 for this procedure. Valentino's mother says, "Our family will be so much happier and less stressed once we know that our son is normal and healthy."

Ronan is a hardworking father from the Philippines. He lives with his partner and their two children. Ronan works as a kitchen assistant, while also taking on side jobs to better provide for his family. Since he was in third grade, Ronan has dealt with an indirect inguinal hernia. His family consulted with doctors when he was a child, however, he was never able to have surgery. In the meantime, he lives with constant pain and is limited in the activities in which he can engage, which affects his ability to work. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is seeking $1,103 to fund Ronan's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled to take place on April 26th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Ronan said: "I thank everyone who is willing to help me with my condition. This will definitely be life-changing. I am very excited so thank you very much for your help and generosity."