Son is a 64-year-old retired rice farmer who has two daughters, three sons, and eight grandchildren. Since retiring from the rice fields, she is working some hours for a construction company, where her husband and youngest son also work. In her free time, Son likes caring for her grandchildren and visiting her local pagoda to pray. Ten years ago, Son developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Son learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Son needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence, which is scheduled for July 17th. Son is able to contribute $50 and needs help with $225 to cover the cost of medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. She shared, "I hope I can see more clearly so I can do more to look after my grandchildren, and I would like to plant more vegetables around my house."

Meet 63-year-old Sarah: a small-scale farmer, living with her husband in Uganda. She is the mother of four children. Together, she and her husband make a living from a banana and coffee plantation, even though the available land limits the size of their holding. Sarah enjoys tending to her goats and performing household chores, when she isn't farming. Sarah's life changed drastically two years ago when she developed a swelling on her right arm. This condition has caused her to experience sensations of pins and needles, and paralysis of the arm. Consequently, she cannot sweep, lift objects, or engage in strenuous activities. Initially, she attempted traditional remedies, but they provided no relief. Sarah sought help from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. On August 8th, surgeons at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale will remove the mass. Now, Sarah needs your help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Sarah says: “Honestly, I am becoming lame, I can’t do anything at home, yet my husband is suffering a stroke. I have to take care of him; I kindly appeal for your support for the success of my surgery.”

Kelita is a single mother with four children, aged 18,14,12, and 8. Kelita shared that she separated from her husband in 2017 because she would not adhere to cultural chieftaincy rules that wives are supposed to follow. Kelita refused to stop going to church; hence her family broke apart, and her husband married another woman. He does not provide support for his children so Kelita works hard to support her family on her own. Kelita sells cooked green maize in the nearest markets, earning about $37.00 per month. She and her four children live in a three-room house without water or electricity. Kelita does extra work in people’s gardens for her family's support and shared that she enjoys eating nsima (ugali) with vegetables prepared with groundnut flour. Kelita was well until 2011, when, after the delivery of her third child, she noted a fast-growing swelling on her neck. She did not seek medical care as there was no pain. As time passed, the swelling grew, but was not painful. In 2021, Kelita started experiencing neck heaviness and breathlessness, frequent coughs, and pains when carrying heavy items on her head. This affected her daily activities and business since she could no longer carry a basket of maize on her head. Kelita stopped her cooking business and relied on doing piece work in people’s gardens to support her family. However, even this is difficult now, as bending has become a challenge. In November 2021, Kelita visited her nearest hospital and was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where an ultrasound scan revealed a bilateral complex mass in her thyroid. Kelita was sent for thyroid function tests but since she did not have the money required for the tests, she returned home to try traditional medicine, to no avail. In July, Kelita met a Partners in Hope (PIH) beneficiary who guided her to visit PIH for potential support from Watsi. On August 14th, Kelita met the surgeon at PIH. After the required tests were completed, a diagnosis of goiter was confirmed. Kelita was told she needed to have a surgical intervention called thyroidectomy, the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Due to her financial challenges, Kelita was referred to Watsi's medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, for support. Kelita could smile much bigger after hearing about the planned surgery and committed to a co-pay $27.64 from her savings. Kelita hopes to be well again after the surgical operation. Kelita looks forward to the peace of mind that will enable her to support her children as a single parent. “I need my peace of mind for me to resume my business and be able to carry items on my head again. Kindly help me,” Kelita says.