Leo is a 50-year-old father of five children, with one child still in school. He works in the quarries and sometimes on farms for subsistence farming. His wife is a small-scale farmer, and they work hard to meet their family's daily needs. Three years ago, Leo developed a right inguinal hernia. This occurs when soft tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. He has pain and swelling, and is not able to do strenuous activities with ease, yet he is the breadwinner of the family. Leo went to Nyakibale Hospital and surgery was recommended to help him finally heal. Fortunately, on January 24th he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Leo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Leo says, “I request support from donors to enable me to be treated and resume my day-to-day work with ease."

Htee is a one-year-old toddler who lives with his parents and his grandfather in Burma. His mother is a homemaker and his father and grandfather grow betel nuts, bananas, durian, chili and sesame on their own land. The income they earn from selling their crops is not enough to cover their daily expenses and pay for basic health care. Earlier this year, Htee had a fever and runny nose. He received treatment at a local clinic but his fever did not subside. A few days later, his skin and eyes turned yellow and he developed blue spots all over his body. He was brought to a hospital in Burma, where the doctor told Htee's parents that he has a problem with his liver and would need surgery at another treatment center. Unable to pay for travel and treatment, his parents brought him home. One day, a neighbor's referral led them to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. BCMF is now seeking $1,500 to help fund a hepatoportoenterostomy, which will allow for bile drainage and relieve Htee's worrying symptoms. “I am happy to hear the organization (BCMF) will help support my son’s treatment. Thank you to the donors," said Htee's father.

Deus is a seven-year-old pupil from Uganda. He is the last born in a family of eleven children and is in primary school grade two. His father and mother are small-scale farmers producing beans and Irish potatoes mainly for home consumption. For one year, Deus has had a right hydrocele. His father reports that he developed a scrotal swelling on his right testis but thought his condition would normalize with time. In January 2023, Deus was brought to Rushoroza hospital and given medication that was not helpful because the swelling started disappearing and reappearing. He does not complain of pains but his father is very much disturbed by the on-and-off swelling which could turn problematic in the future if not treated on time. Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $170 to fund Deus's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Deus' father says, “My son looks undisturbed by his condition, but anything could happen in the future. He will comfortably return to school after surgery.”