Channeth is a 37-year-old vegetable farmer and mother of three. She lives with her husband and children in a rural area just outside of the capital city of Phnom Penh. Her two sons attend a nearby school, and her 3-year-old daughter is still at home. Channeth's husband also works as a vegetable farmer. As a family, they like to make Cambodian desserts, and play in the village. When she was seven years old, Channeth had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. The torn ear drum is painful and causes discharge in the ear, which is often embarrassing. Also, Channeth cannot hear well, which makes it difficult to communicate clearly with others. Channeth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 8th, she will undergo a myringoplasty in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this surgery, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Channeth shared, "I want to have surgery so that I can stop having this problem and feel healthier and so I can care for my family."

29-year-old Nathaniel is a hardworking father from the Philippines. Through his work as a housekeeper, he supports his wife, daughter and stepdaughter. Nathaniel has been living with an indirect inguinal hernia for many years. He has been doing hard, physical work ever since he was eight years old, and has been experiencing symptoms for quite a while. When his pain increased dramatically, he sought medical advice for the first time, and has been advised to undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Nathaniel access the treatment that he needs. He is now scheduled for surgery on January 20th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. While a portion of the cost of Nathaniel's procedure will be paid for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is seeking your help to cover the remaining $1,103. Nathaniel said: "Thank you very much for your help. Your help will not go in vain because when I recover, I will still continue to be a provider and a good father to my daughters. I am not the only one who will benefit from this surgery, but my family too, so I am very grateful."

Madalo is a 34-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is married with three children; two of them school-going, and a nine-month-old infant. Madalo did not have an opportunity to complete school and therefore finds it difficult to get a regular job that can support her family. She takes on temporary jobs to sustain her family since her husband is unemployed. Since the birth of her third child, Madalo has been experiencing a swelling in a sensitive area which has been causing pain in her lower abdomen whenever she walks short distances. Madalo gave birth to all her children via C-section and so her friends all told her that the pain was normal. The pain however persisted, making it hard for Madalo to work on household chores or take on casual jobs. She decided to visit our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Mission Hospital, where she was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, and surgery was recommended. However, Madalo is unable to afford the surgery costs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Madalo receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a hernia repair surgery to alleviate pain and prevent complications that could potentially be life-threatening. Now, Madalo needs help to fund this $500 procedure. Madalo says, “I am looking forward to being free of the pain and discomfort. Thank you for your support”