Kimleang is an 11-year-old student. She looks up to her older sister who is 15 years old and is in 9th grade. She enjoys learning English at school and her favorite subject is Khmer literature. At home, after she has done her homework, she likes to watch TV, listen to music, and eat ice cream. Eight years ago, when Kimleang was only three, she was in a motor vehicle accident and fractured her right tibia. Her parents took her to a Khmer traditional healer, where she received a bamboo splint and medication. Unfortunately, her leg became infected, so her parents took her to a local hospital for debridement and a cast. Although her infection resolved, her ankle and toe have become deformed over the past several years due to her previous fracture. It is difficult for her to walk, and she struggles to match the pace of her friends, who enjoy running and playing. When Kimleang's family learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled over 4 hours seeking treatment. Surgeons at CSC have determined that she needs a tendon procedure on the upper surface of her foot, where extensor muscles are located. An external frame will be placed to stabilize the incision and assist in healing. Kimleang's parents are able to contribute $100 to the cost of the procedure and need help with the full cost to fund the procedure that which is scheduled for August 11th. This will cover the surgery, hospitalization, medications, and rehabilitation. After surgery, Kimleang should be able to walk normally and no longer be in pain. Kimleang shared, "After surgery I hope that my leg will be straight and I won’t have pain when walking."

Kyarisiima is a 36-year-old woman who is in need of surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. She is a farmer, and her husband is a primary school teacher. For over three months, Kyarisiima has been suffering from severe abdominal pain. Due to the pain, she is unable to do anything at home other than sleep. She finds it difficult to cook or help with the washing, something that greatly affects her quality of life. Fortunately, Kyarisiima came to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Her doctors were able to diagnose Kyarisiima with hemorrhagic ovarian cysts and recommended cystectomy treatment. She is at risk of the cyst rupturing or twisting, which can cause death or other complications, so they scheduled the surgery to occur as soon as possible, on June 8th. AMH is requesting $220 to help fund her care and procedure. Kyarisiima says, "I am in much pain, and I request your assistance with my surgery so that I can live well again like previously and help with farming."

Kelita is a single mother with four children, aged 18,14,12, and 8. Kelita shared that she separated from her husband in 2017 because she would not adhere to cultural chieftaincy rules that wives are supposed to follow. Kelita refused to stop going to church; hence her family broke apart, and her husband married another woman. He does not provide support for his children so Kelita works hard to support her family on her own. Kelita sells cooked green maize in the nearest markets, earning about $37.00 per month. She and her four children live in a three-room house without water or electricity. Kelita does extra work in people’s gardens for her family's support and shared that she enjoys eating nsima (ugali) with vegetables prepared with groundnut flour. Kelita was well until 2011, when, after the delivery of her third child, she noted a fast-growing swelling on her neck. She did not seek medical care as there was no pain. As time passed, the swelling grew, but was not painful. In 2021, Kelita started experiencing neck heaviness and breathlessness, frequent coughs, and pains when carrying heavy items on her head. This affected her daily activities and business since she could no longer carry a basket of maize on her head. Kelita stopped her cooking business and relied on doing piece work in people’s gardens to support her family. However, even this is difficult now, as bending has become a challenge. In November 2021, Kelita visited her nearest hospital and was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital, where an ultrasound scan revealed a bilateral complex mass in her thyroid. Kelita was sent for thyroid function tests but since she did not have the money required for the tests, she returned home to try traditional medicine, to no avail. In July, Kelita met a Partners in Hope (PIH) beneficiary who guided her to visit PIH for potential support from Watsi. On August 14th, Kelita met the surgeon at PIH. After the required tests were completed, a diagnosis of goiter was confirmed. Kelita was told she needed to have a surgical intervention called thyroidectomy, the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. Due to her financial challenges, Kelita was referred to Watsi's medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, for support. Kelita could smile much bigger after hearing about the planned surgery and committed to a co-pay $27.64 from her savings. Kelita hopes to be well again after the surgical operation. Kelita looks forward to the peace of mind that will enable her to support her children as a single parent. “I need my peace of mind for me to resume my business and be able to carry items on my head again. Kindly help me,” Kelita says.