Esther is a 48-year-old mother of two adult children. She is a sales lady and her husband is an accountant. During her free time, Esther listens to gospel music and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour served with fish and beans. In 2021, she experienced abdominal pain and other worrying symptoms. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids or abnormal growths in the uterus. She was given some medications that helped reduce the growth of the fibroids. Once her symptoms disappeared, she stopped taking the medications. However, the symptoms came back and the doctors at Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH) recommended for her to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to address the pain and future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is asking for $1,363 for the procedure that will take place on March 2nd. After the surgery, it is expected that Esther's symptoms will disappear. Esther looks forward to being able to perform her daily tasks and going back to work.

Si Yol is an active 71-year-old grandmother from Kandal province. She and her husband live with their daughter and grandchild. Her husband is a farmer, and her daughter sells groceries. Si Yol works part-time as an assistant of communes and likes to watch TV news in her spare time. About one year ago, Si Yol developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. When Si Yol learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Si Yol needs help raising $253 to fully fund the procedure. She shared, "I hope that after the surgery, my eyesight will improve. I want to go out and recognize and see people and things easily. I also want to write and read well."

Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’