Cha Sak is a 33-year-old mother who currently works in restaurant service. Cha Sak lives with her parents and her 5-year-old son. In her spare time, she likes to watch Khmer movies on the TV. Five years ago, Cha Sak developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her tearing and irritation in her eyes. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Cha Sak has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going places on her own. When Cha Sak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there hoping to finally have her eye treated. Cha Sak needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Her procedure is scheduled for February 16th. Cha Sak shared, "I hope after surgery my eye feels more comfortable, and that the irritation and tearing will disappear. I want to go back to work to support my son's studies."

Turyakira is a 67-year-old woman from Western Uganda. She is a married mother of eight children who practices subsistence farming. She lives with her husband who is unfortunately bedridden due to a stroke. For the past two years, she has struggled with an intragluteal lump that has gradually increased in size. She has pain, itchiness and discomfort, especially when she tries to sit down. She was diagnosed with elastofibroma, a benign tumor that requires excision. Turyakira traveled to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, to receive treatment. On February 16th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Turyakira needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. Turyakira shared, “I am the only one taking care of my family because my husband is sick. I hope with surgery, I will regain my health and continue with farming to keep up with my family.”

Gilbert is a hard working 48-year-old man from Kiambu, on the outskirts of Nairobi. His family is from both Kenya and Rwanda and he is the second born in a family of four. Gilbert has been working as a labourer at construction sites. He was married but separated with his wife and he is now raising their small child who is in kindergarten with the help of his neighbors. On Monday 25th January, while checking a tank at a construction site, Gilbert slipped and fell. He sustained a closed fracture of the right tibia and was brought to Nazareth Hospital. He needs a fracture repair surgery but his income is not sufficient to meet the cost of the surgery. If not treated Gilbert may have difficulty walking, may not be able to go back to work, and his leg may heal with a deformity. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 8th, Gilbert will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will correct the fracture, allow him walk with ease and free of pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “I have no family member around, yet I have to work to support myself and my child. I kindly request for help so that I may be well to take care of my baby,” said Gilbert.