Meet Asanas: she is a social and confident 28-year-old Ugandan woman who lives in a muddy three-roomed semi-permanent house with her husband, child, and two foster children. To make a living, she does farming on her small piece of land with her husband. They usually grow simple food crops for home consumption but often sell the surplus to generate income for their family. During high school, she had a passion for journalism, but she was unable to pursue her dream because she couldn't finish school due to a lack of school fees. She stayed at home for a few years before getting married when she was 22. Asanas was brought in to the hospital with severe left-sided pain whenever she lies down to rest. She also experiences abdominal pain, even when eating small amounts of food. When her symptoms became severe, she came to see a doctor and was recommended to undergo a scan. The scan results indicated a left cyst, and she was recommended for cystectomy treatment for a complete recovery. However, her income is not enough to enable her to raise the money needed for her surgery, and she therefore appeals for your support to pay the $220 required for her cystectomy. Asanas says, "My life had always been well until I was hit by this pain. It's hard for me to do anything at home, but I hope that with your help to undergo surgery and I will get well."

40-year-old Ronald is a small-scale farmer and father of three who lives in Uganda. While he has a diploma in accounting and finance, he has been unable to secure a professional job, and now grows green vegetables, which he sells in order to provide for his family. His wife is a hawker, who sells secondhand clothes around their village. Ronald developed a small, painless swelling on the back of his head about ten years ago. In 2017, the swelling increased in size, and Ronald began to experience mild pain. He worries about leaving the growth untreated and is also finding it uncomfortable to sleep. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On February 6th, surgeons at Rushoroza Hospital will remove the mass, alleviating Ronald's physical and emotional discomfort. Now Ronald needs your help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Ronald says: “I have hope of looking normal again through surgery. I believe I will comfortably take on farming for the future well-being of my family.”

Mao is a 52-year-old grandmother from Kompong Chhnang province in Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. She earns a living by selling packaged food in her local market and her husband is a police officer. In her free time, she likes to watch the news and check her Facebook. Three years ago, Mao developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness and tearing. 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. on February 9th, Mao will undergo treatment to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. Mao needs help raising the $225 to fund her medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Mao said, "I hope after surgery I can feel better and take care of my grandchildren."