For sixteen years, 50-year-old Zione has suffered from uncomfortable gynecological symptoms that have affected her quality of life and overall health. "The pain is too much for me," Zione said. "So I don't sleep and don't have the peace of mind I used to have before." Her worsening condition has required her family to miss work to care for her, impacting the family's already modest earnings. For years, she sought a diagnosis and treatment but was unable to get the help she needed. Recently, Zione was reviewed at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center and was diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy. Zione and her husband’s combined income, from her work as a small-scale farmer and his work as a welder, is not enough to cover the cost of her surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Zione's surgery on October 2nd. After the treatment, Zione will finally have relief after years of pain, missed sleep, unsuccessful treatments, and interruptions to her life and work.

Brillant is a two-year-old boy from Burundi. His mother is a single mother who farms and sells vegetables in the market to support her three children. One year and nine months ago, Brillant was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, a swelling in a sensitive part of his body. He cries often, unable to explain how he feels. He cannot play, run, or sleep through the night. He needs surgery to address his symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. Fortunately, on October 2nd, Brillant will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Kibuye Hope Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $197 to fund Brillant's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Brillant's mother shared, “I have no one else to ask. I work every day, but I cannot earn what the hospital needs. Please help my Brillant. Help me give him this surgery so he can grow like other children. I cannot watch him suffer anymore.”

Vathanak is nine years old and a fifth-grader from Cambodia. He is the youngest of three siblings and lives with his parents and older brothers in Phnom Penh. His father works for a private company, while his mother takes care of the household. He enjoys math, watching big-bike and sports-car videos, and eating soups with lots of vegetables. He hopes to become a businessman when he grows up. For the past six years, Vathanak has been experiencing a blocked nose, difficulty breathing, loud snoring, frequent coughing and sneezing, recurrent fever, and repeated episodes of pharyngitis. His frequent throat infections and breathing difficulties affect his sleep and overall comfort, causing him to become ill repeatedly. Vathanak was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $345 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Vathanak, which is scheduled to take place on September 7th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Vathanak of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. Vathanak's mother said, “My biggest hope is that my son will be able to breathe and sleep better after the surgery. I want him to have fewer throat infections, feel healthier, and enjoy going to school and playing with his friends without being troubled by these symptoms.”