Evaristo is a 57-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda, married with eight children. Five of his children are already married, while the remaining three are currently attending school. He and his wife are small-scale farmers, mostly growing beans, maize and a few coffee trees. Eight years ago, Evaristo was involved in a road traffic accident, which resulted in a leg injury that eventually healed. Despite the healing, the area surrounding the scar remained numb. In February of this year, while riding on a motorcycle taxi, the scar was injured by the starter pedal, causing it to start hurting again. As days passed, the site developed blisters that developed into a wound. Evaristo went to local clinics for treatment but did not experience any improvement even after receiving some injections. He has continued experiencing pain on the injured leg, unable to farm or perform other daily activities. As a result, his wife has become the sole breadwinner for their family, prompting them to take out short-term loans to cover school fees and medical costs at the different clinics they visited before going to Ibanda Hospital. Evaristo decided to seek help from a surgeon and visited Ibanda Hospital. Upon arrival, he was feeling extremely weak and in severe pain, fearful of the possibility of losing his leg. Due to his inability to walk unassisted, Evaristo relies on a wheelchair to navigate the hospital premises. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Evaristo receive treatment. On March 5th, surgeons at Ibanda Hospital will perform a debridement, which is a procedure to remove infected, damaged or dead tissue so a wound can heal properly. Now, Evaristo needs our help to fund this $207 procedure. Evaristo says, ‘’I was very worried that I may lose my leg, but I thank God for the counseling I have received. I now have hope that my surgery will be successful, and I will be able to stand again and do my usual farming activities.’’

Peter is a farmer from Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. He is a father to four children who are all in school. Peter and his wife grow food crops for their family's consumption and sell the surplus to generate income. For three years, Peter has had a left inguinal hernia, causing swelling and pain. Doctors recommend that he undergo surgery and, fortunately, on April 3rd, Peter will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Peter's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Peter says, “I hope for a complete recovery and will be able to resume farming in good health to sustain my family.

Bopha is an 18-year-old student who lives in Kandal province with her parents, who are rice farmers. Bopha is the youngest child of three; she has two brothers, one is still in school and one is a teacher. She studies in grade 12, and dreams of going to a university to be a teacher like her brother. At home, she likes to read books. For two years, Bopha has been experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing at night, sore throat, and fever. Her parents took her to a private clinic where they got medicine that did not help her to feel better. She has difficulty going to school and paying attention in class because she feels unwell and doesn't sleep well. Bopha was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Bopha, which is scheduled to take place on January 3rd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Bopha of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Bopha said: "I hope after this operation I will feel good and will stop having a sore throat."