Velonika, a 52-year-old woman from Malawi, is married and has four children. She and her husband engage in farming to support their family. Five years ago, Velonika began to experience small, painless swelling on her neck. Over time, the swelling grew larger without affecting her daily life. In 2022, the swelling became noticeable, prompting her to cover her neck until the end of the year. In 2023, Veronica developed symptoms like frequent coughs and neck heaviness. Despite visiting a traditional healer, her condition worsened. Velonika was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where surgeons noted signs of hyperthyroidism and conducted necessary tests. Her thyroid function tests were normal, and the ultrasound scanning revealed a heterogeneous mass on the right lobe. She was diagnosed with a goiter, the swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in front of the neck, produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Surgery is necessary to address the systems and prevent conditions from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is providing Velonika with the necessary treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 7th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Velonika shared, "Pains have forced me to come all the way from the village after noting your support. Kindly help me in time since I don't have anyone in town."

Kyaw Soe is a 27-year-old man from Burma. Driven by conflict and the need for job opportunities, he moved to Thailand in November 2025. He now lives with his wife and brother-in-law in an employer-provided dormitory in a refugee village in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. All three of them work at the same factory. In June 2025, Kyaw Soe began to experience troubling symptoms, including snoring, difficulty breathing, and difficulty smelling. His nose appears to be blocked, causing discomfort on the right side of his face. Doctors want to perform a sinus endoscopic surgery to remove any blockages in the sinuses and improve airflow through the nose. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on August 19th at our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate his symptoms. Kyaw Soe was grateful to learn about BCMF. He said, "I really want to receive the surgery and get rid of this condition as soon as possible. But if there is no support from you, I didn’t want to seek treatment anymore. It is too much for us. I don’t want to put such a burden on my wife. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support."

Albert is a 27-year-old man from Malawi. He is the third-born in a family of six. Before his illness, he was employed and actively supported his parents, but he is currently unable to work and relies on his brother for support. Four months ago, Albert developed severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a hollow viscus perforation — a tear in the wall of the intestine — caused by typhoid infection. Emergency surgery was performed, during which surgeons created a stoma, a surgically-made opening on the abdomen that diverts waste when the normal digestive pathway is compromised. While the stoma has allowed his bowel to heal, it has caused him significant discomfort and affected his daily life and confidence. Fortunately, on June 17th, Albert will undergo surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. This procedure will cost $1,244, and Albert needs your support to fund the surgery. "The stigma is too much and has taken away all my happiness due to isolation, bringing in more pains, both physical and psychological; your support will help me to recover," Albert shared.