67-year-old Sikora is a small-scale farmer and mother of seven, living in Uganda. While Sikora was never able to attend school, she and her husband, who farms and does casual labor around the village, struggle to raise the money necessary to ensure their children's education. For the past 15 years, Sikora has been experiencing lower abdominal pains, accompanied by an abnormal vaginal discharge. These symptoms started four months after the delivery of her seventh child, during which she experienced complications and prolonged labor. Over the past five years, the pains have worsened, and she has been unable to find relief, despite taking various medications. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain due to pelvic inflammatory disease, and doctors have recommended surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $319 to fund the hysterectomy that Sikora needs to enable her to resume her daily activities without pain. On February 6th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. Now she needs your help to cover the costs of this procedure. Sikora says: “I have been in pain for a long period of time. I pray that I may get well through surgery so that I may continue to practice farming for the well-being of my family.”

Kuong is a 76-year-old retired rice farmer. She is a mother to four sons and four daughters, and the grandmother to 13. She and her husband live in Battambang province, but no longer work in the rice fields due to their age. They live with their youngest son who is a rice farmer. At home, Kuong cooks for the family and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Kuong developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus she is unable to travel on her own. When Kuong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant a new lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Kuong said: "I hope after surgery, I can see again. I can see my grandchildren's faces and take care of myself better."

Souty is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. He has three brothers and one sister. He lives with his siblings, his grandfather, and his mother in Kampong Cham province. His father works in Thailand in a factory and sends money home to support the family. Souty attends public school and enjoys playing football with his friends. Since Souty was a small child, he has not been able to hear out of his right ear. For three years, he has also had frequent fevers and ear discharge from his left ear, due to an ear infection. The infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his left ear to perforate. Souty suffers from almost total hearing loss because of the poor hearing in his right ear combined with the problems in his left ear. This makes it difficult for him to attend school or understand the teacher. He shared that he feels embarrassed and has been held back in school for several years. Souty and his mother traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 22nd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Souty's mother said: "Souty wants to go to school and be like other boys. I hope he can get his hearing back so he can communicate well with others."