Scovia is 58 years old and a mother of nine from Uganda. When she was 10, she lost both of her parents within a short period, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by their grandmother. She and her husband depend on farming as the family’s main source of livelihood. They primarily grow food crops such as beans, maize, and potatoes for household consumption and sell any surplus produce to generate income for her family’s needs. Twenty years ago, Scovia began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling at the front of her neck. Because the swelling grew slowly and was not painful, she did not initially seek medical attention. However, about a month ago, she began experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and increasing breathing difficulties. Concerned about her worsening condition, she sought medical care at a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. 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 Scovia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 2nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Scovia says, “This has never been painful, but recently, I couldn’t breathe. Am always catching my breath and can’t do anything about it because of limited finances. I kindly appeal to you for support to have my surgery so I can continue farming and keep my children in school.”

German is a 70-year-old father of seven from Malawi, who has spent most of his life doing whatever work he can find to keep his family going. Some days there is work, and some days there is not, but he has always tried to provide for his household with what little he earns. Two months ago, German started experiencing difficulty passing urine which has affected his comfort, sleep, and ability to work. Hopeful for assistance, he went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). He was given medication and advised to return for a follow up review. During his follow up clinic, doctors confirmed that medication alone would not be enough for treatment, and have recommended an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function. For German, hearing that surgery could help him was a relief. However, that relief was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the cost. With limited income from casual work and farming, the family has no realistic way of affording the surgery cost. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund German's procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on July 9th and, once completed, it will hopefully help him regain his health, return to his daily activities, and continue supporting his family. “I have worked all my life with my own hands, and I still want to be able to help my family. This illness has made even simple things difficult. I am praying that I can receive this surgery and live with comfort again,” German said.

Han is a 74-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives with his elderly wife and their three children. His eldest child climbs sugar palm trees to collect palm fruit and water; his second child works as a photographer; and his youngest child repairs motors. In his free time, he enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. On October 19, 2026, Han fractured his right thigh bone near the knee after jumping off a boat. He initially received treatment, where his leg was placed in a cast, but it did not provide adequate support for the fracture. The fracture causes pain in his right thigh, especially when he moves his leg. He has difficulty walking and moving around comfortably. Because of the injury, he currently depends on his family for support with daily activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 2nd, Han will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will stabilize the broken bone using a blade plate and help it heal in the correct position. It is expected to reduce his pain over time and improve his ability to move his leg and walk again. Han can contribute $37.50, but needs help raising $563 more to help fund his treatment and care. Han's son said, “My father has been in pain since the accident, and I hope the surgery will help his leg heal properly so he can walk again. I want to see him recover, move around without difficulty, and return to his normal life.”