Robert is a confident, straight-to-the-point 60-year-old man from Uganda. He is Mukiga by tribe, residing in a three-roomed, mud and reeds, traditional home in Southwestern Uganda. He and his wife have one child, a son who works as a primary school teacher. Growing up, Robert's hope was to become a doctor. However, challenges such as school fees prevented him from studying extensively. He and his wife farm on a small banana and coffee farm to sustain their livelihood, and he weeds the farm in his free time. For two years ago, Robert has had left inguinal hernia. This condition causes him to experience pain and discomfort when he walks long distances, works in the fields for an extended period, coughs or laughs aloud, or lifts heavy objects. Due to limited finances, Robert had not attempted to seek medical attention before; however, when his symptoms became severe, he visited our medical partner's hospital. Fortunately, on December 28th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at their care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $230 to fund Robert's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Robert said, "I will get well and will be able to resume farming in good health if I get support to undergo my surgery."

Heng is a 70-year-old grandmother from Cambodia with nine children and fifteen grandchildren. Heng's husband recently died, and she moved in with her youngest son. Together they care for an orphaned child from the village. Her son works in construction, while Heng's other children send small amounts of their income to Heng to help support her living expenses. In her free time, she likes to cook and go to the village pagoda to pray. Around three months ago, Heng developed a cataract in her left eye - a clouding of the lens of the eye that causes cloudy vision, as if looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Heng now has blurry vision, headaches, and watery eyes. She has difficulty seeing things, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. She is not able to safely go up and down the steps of her traditional village home. When Heng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, hopefully, she will be able to see clearly. Now, Heng needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared: "I hope I can improve my vision so I can go places without feeling afraid and recognize faces in the village."

John is a quiet 11-year-old boy from Kenya. John's story is a journey of compassion and the unwavering support of a dedicated well-wisher. His origin is drawn back in Tanzania, where he faced the disturbing reality of being disowned by his real parents due to his disability on his feet. John was left helpless in the unfamiliar surroundings of central Kenya. For the past seven years his guardian has stood by his side, offering not just a shelter but also a sense of belonging. John’s chapter started to change when a team of AIC Cure International doctors visited his neighborhood for a mobile clinic. He was reviewed and scheduled for surgery and underwent a successful surgery on his left foot and his left foot has healed well. John still has clubfoot of right foot. He is currently in the hospital to undergo right foot treatment, which involves serial casting to adjust the position of his foot to achieve the desired correction. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Surgeons from our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital are scheduled to now perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund John's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Once he heals, John aspires to go back to school and study and one day achieve his dream of becoming a doctor in future. John told us: “I am looking forward to seeing my foot corrected, walking properly, playing football with my friends and continuing with my studies like other children, and achieving my dream of becoming a doctor in future to also impact lives of children born like me."