Mike is a 29-year-old farmer from Malawi. He has one child, who is currently in nursery school. Mike sustained a lower leg fracture. He was rushed to Nkhoma Hospital, where after an assessment, he was scheduled for open reduction surgery. However, Mike cannot afford the cost of the surgery, which is the only remedy for repairing the fracture and alleviating Mike of the pain that prevents him from working and taking care of his family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $636 to fund his surgery, which is scheduled for February 27th, at Nkhoma Hospital. Mike said: “I hope to get treatment so that I can go back home to my family free of this condition.”

Oliver is a married mother of four children, all of whom are married with children except the last one who is still in school. She is a farmer together with her husband. Her second child, a daughter, has been there for her support throughout her illness. Oliver likes chatting with her daughter and enjoys eating nsima made from cassava maize flour served with fresh fish. Oliver was well until one year ago when she noted a small lump on her right breast that was not painful. She visited her nearest hospital where some pain medication was provided. She visited many other hospitals after noting that the growth was becoming bigger as time passed. At one of the hospitals, a diagnosis of suspected breast cancer was made before proceeding to Kamuzu Central Hospital for further assessments. At Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), different tests were done, and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma was made followed by four cycles of neoadjuvant therapy. Oliver was later scheduled for surgery on January 15th this year but unfortunately, she did not report back since she did not have the funds. On January 29th, Oliver went back to KCH where she was referred to our medical partner's care center Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) so that she can undergo surgery more urgently. Of late, Oliver has been experiencing needle pricking pains, and weakness affecting her farm work plus household chores as a mother. On January 30th, Oliver reported to PIH and met the surgeon who confirmed the need for a modified radical mastectomy. Modified radical mastectomy is the removal of the entire breast, including the nipple, areola, and skin plus most axillary lymph nodes. Oliver believes the surgical operation will help her get back home in a good condition and enable her to resume her farm work. Oliver said, “Kindly remove this breast for me to have my peace of mind after getting rid of these bad symptoms that I experience, I would rather be able to move on in my age.”

Sok Neng, who is 18 years old, lives with his parents near the Vietnamese border. His parents have been spice sellers in the local market for several years. Sok Neng enjoys growing fruits and vegetables around his home, while also working at the market stall with his parents. In August 2023, Sok Neng was in a motorbike accident on a dark road, and broke his right femur. He traveled for three and a half hours to a major hospital in the capital city of Phnom Penh for treatment, but due to a lack of funds, he left after the doctors said that he needed surgery. Since then, Sok Neng has been receiving treatment from a traditional healer in the village. Unfortunately, the fracture has not healed, and he lives in chronic pain, unable to walk or to work. Sok Neng once again traveled three and a half hours to Phnom Penh to seek help, after a referral from another doctor. On February 7th, he will undergo an osteotomy and a bone plate procedure on his right femur, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $469 to fund this surgery, which will align the bone in Sok Neng's leg, enabling him to finally walk again. Sok Neng shared: "I hope I can walk on my own and go back to work to help my family."