Sarai is 56 years old and a mother of four from Malawi. She works as a handicraft worker, while her husband is a retired teacher. She traveled over 200 kilometers seeking surgical support for a thyroid condition that has severely affected her quality of life. Ten years ago, Sarai began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck. Since it caused no discomfort at the time, she did not seek medical attention. However, in 2024, the swelling grew bigger and started to cause pain. She started to experience difficulty swallowing, restricted neck movement, and challenges with daily activities, including climbing stairs. Sarai was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), where she was diagnosed with a goiter involving the swelling of both thyroid lobes. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sarai receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 2nd at PIH, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Sarai said, "I can't swallow and breathe well. Your support will save my life."

Dim is an 85-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and three grandchildren. His wife passed away 19 years ago from cancer, and Dim lives now with his son. Dim enjoys watching the news on TV and listening to monks pray on the radio. About two months ago, Dim developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to have itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Dim has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Dim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 21st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Dim contributed a $25 co-pay toward his care and needs help raising $238 more to fund his surgery. Dim said, "I hope, after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go outside and join ceremony and pagoda."

Moe is a 15-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, sister, and two brothers. His father works as a day labourer, while his mother is a homemaker who sometimes takes on laundry jobs to help support the family. Moe completed grade three but had to stop his education in 2024 because of his health. He was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. Currently, Moe experiences fatigue, loss of appetite, dizziness, and sometimes feels uncomfortable while sleeping at night due to squeezing and radiating pain around his chest and back. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Moe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on July 17th at our medical partner's care center, Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital, and once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Moe's mother shared, "Thank you to the donors and the organisation for supporting my son’s surgery. We are very grateful. As day labourers, we do not have enough money. I am not healthy enough, and while doing laundry to earn extra income, I feel exhausted. Without your support, we would face unbearable financial burdens and could not afford the surgery. Thank you very much for your help.”