Christine is a 44-year-old mother from Uganda. She has two children, both of whom are enrolled in school. Early on in her marriage, her husband passed away. As a widow, Christine relies on subsistence farming to provide food and financial support for her family. To earn extra income, she occasionally works as a casual laborer on other farms. These additional earnings help her afford essential household necessities such as soap, salt, and other daily requirements. Christine finds joy in seeing her children pursue their education, hoping it will open doors to future professional opportunities. Five years ago, Christine began to experience troubling symptoms, notably a swelling at the front of her neck. Although initially painless, the swelling began to cause her discomfort. Over time, Christine began to experience difficulty with swallowing and breathing, shortness of breath, and palpitations after engaging in laborious tasks. Her condition limited her ability to work on her farm and carry out daily responsibilities, significantly affecting her quality of life. Due to financial constraints, Christine initially resorted to local herbs and traditional remedies to manage her condition. However, the interventions provided no relief, and she underwent screening at Nyakibale Hospital. There, Christine was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in front of your neck and produces hormones that are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Christine requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Christine receive treatment. On November 1st, Christine will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons may remove all or a portion of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Christine says, “Having my surgery with your support will be a blessing. Once I am back on my feet, I am sure I will be able to keep up with farming and will continue working at my best to keep my children in school. I can’t do this on my own and kindly appeal to you for support.”

U Sanda is a 32-year-old monk from Burma. He has been a monk for over 15 years, and lives with other monks at a monastery. He does not earn an income, and relies on food donated at the monastery by local people. When he becomes ill, his best friend helps cover the cost of his basic medical treatment. U Sanda was born with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a condition in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of the heart. Sometimes ASDs may close on their own during development, but sometimes this condition requires surgery to repair the hole and prevent long-term damage to the heart and lungs. U Sanda is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on September 21st at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital to correct his atrial septal defect, and improve his quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of U Sanda's procedure and care. U Sanda said, “All of the costs of my previous investigations were covered by my best friend. If BCMF and the donors do not help me, I would choose to suffer rather than continue receiving treatment, because I know the cost is very expensive.”

Luis Angel is student from Colombia. He is a very outgoing, cheerful, intelligent, and quick-witted boy who loves to explore the world around him. He is an excellent student and excels especially in math. He really enjoys playing and interacting with other children. He also loves to dance, sing and has a deep love for animals. He is an affectionate boy who constantly shows his care for others. Eight years ago, Luis Angel was diagnosed with an umbilical hernia, a condition in which a small portion of abdominal tissue protrudes through the navel. Umbilical hernias usually cause mild discomfort or tenderness around the navel, especially when the child cries, coughs, or strains. They can also cause visible swelling, making the belly button protrude, which sometimes leads to discomfort. At this stage, Luis Angel experiences abdominal pain, which sometimes makes it difficult for him to engage in activities, such as playing or participating in sports. Although it generally does not cause severe pain, it does cause discomfort that makes it difficult for him to perform daily activities, such as playing, jumping, and fully enjoying his childhood. Additionally, if not treated properly, there is a risk of complications. Fortunately, on June 24th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Clinica Noel, is requesting $1,005 to fund Luis Angel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Luis Angel's parent shared, "To anyone who wishes to support my son financially, I would like to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude for thinking of a child’s well-being and future. Your help contributes to making my son’s dreams come true and gives him the opportunity to achieve a better quality of life. After the surgery, we hope he will be able to develop fully, without limitations, discomfort, or pain that prevent him from carrying out his daily and athletic activities. With this, he will be able to demonstrate his full potential and begin to chart his path toward fulfilling his dreams."