Anaki is eight years old and a student from Malawi. He loves school and spends most of his free time playing with friends, laughing, and running as children do. He is the second-born of three children. His parents grow and sell vegetables. One week ago, while at school, Anaki climbed onto the wall of an incomplete structure and fell, landing badly on his left arm. He was in great pain and was taken home to his mother, who immediately brought him to the nearest health center. With limited resources, the health workers could only place his arm in a sling and refer him to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further care. It was seen that Anaki sustained a supracondylar fracture of his left forearm. Doctors determined that he would need an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to properly repair the injury and restore full use of his arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Anaki will undergo fracture repair surgery on February 3rd, and he needs help to raise $525 to fund this procedure and care. Anaki's mother said, “I pray that after this surgery, my son will heal well and return to school. We are very thankful to everyone willing to help us."

Catherine is a 62-year-old farmer from Malawi, and a mother of two. She lives alone in a village in rural Lilongwe, with her two children having grown up and now living independently. Life has not been easy this year. With little money to buy fertilizer, her harvest was poor. The crops she managed to grow are only enough to feed her, with nothing left to sell for income. Still, she continued working because she has no one else to depend on for her daily needs. Since January this year, Catherine has been experiencing severe abdominal pain which has made it difficult for her to work, rest, or move comfortably. At first, she thought he condition was gastritis. Even when she sought medical help, she was only given paracetamol to ease the pain, but the relief never lasted. Eventually, she was diagnosed with an epigastric hernia, which is a bulge that occurs in the upper abdomen, caused by tissue pushing through weak abdominal muscle. Presently, the pain has slowed her down, taking away the strength she needs to take care of herself. Full of hope, she went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where surgery has been recommended to treat her condition. While hearing this gave her hope, the cost of the procedure was far beyond what she could afford. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Catherine receive treatment. On May 13th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital. For Catherine, this surgery means more than relief from pain. It means being able to continue caring for herself, tending to her land, and living with independence. Catherine is able to contribute towards the cost of her treatment, but needs help raising $421 to fund the procedure. Catherine says, “If I become too sick to work, there is no one else to help with my daily activities. I have to remain strong so I can continue living and taking care of myself. I am hoping for help because this surgery will give me a chance to live without this pain.”

Daphine is a sociable 45-year-old woman from Uganda. Born into a large family of 13 children, she went to school until Primary 5, but had to drop out due to her family's financial constraints. Daphine later got married at 17, and together with her husband, they have 5 children. To sustain their household, she and her husband engage in farming, mainly growing food crops for home consumption and selling the surplus to earn income. For about two years now, Daphine has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms. Her symptoms subsided after seeking treatment, but about nine months ago, the symptoms recurred, this time more severely. She again sought care at our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale, where she was treated by a gynecologist, and her condition temporarily improved. Unfortunately, the symptoms have since returned, prompting further investigations. Daphine has been diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Daphine's surgery. On March 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Nyakibale Hospital. Once recovered, Daphine will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Daphine says, “There has never been a day that passes without bleeding. I am very worried for my health, but have no way of affording the funds needed for my surgery. I kindly request your support.”