Grace is a 35-year-old woman from Uganda. She currently engages in small-scale farming together with her husband. Two years ago, Grace began to experience troubling symptoms, including lower abdominal pain, which has prevented her from carrying out her farming activities because she is unable to bend. She visited different clinics but was only given painkillers that did not help. She also tried using local herbs, but all was in vain. Grace attended a community outreach program, where she received information that her condition could be treated at our medical partner's care center, Rwibaale Health Center. At the hospital, she was diagnosed with an ovarian mass. Physicians recommend surgery to remove the mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Grace's surgery. On February 13th, she will undergo mass removal surgery, which should greatly improve her quality of life. Grace says, "I hope to get rid of pain and resume my duties as a farmer."

Naroth is a 51-year-old woman who works as a farmer in Kampong Cham province. She grows vegetables and some fruits. Naroth is married and has one son, one daughter, and three grandchildren. She lives with her husband, who is also a farmer, while her son works as a chef. In her free time, she enjoys watching comedy shows and listening to monks chanting on her phone. About two years ago, Naroth developed a cataract in her left 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Naroth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Naroth said, "I hope that after surgery, my eyesight will improve so I can see clearly, move around more easily, and return to growing vegetables with confidence."

Meshack is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the fifth child in his family. His mother is a preacher, and cares for her young children. Despite her responsibilities, she has made strong efforts to find specialized treatment for Meshack after noticing that his hand movement was becoming more restricted. When Meshack was very young, he sustained a burn injury on his right hand. Though the wound has healed, the scars have become tight over time, causing a burn scar contracture. The contracture has affected finger movement and palm opening, making it difficult for his hand to function normally as he grows. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Meshack receive treatment. On February 18th, surgeons at their care center will perform contracture release surgery and skin graft to greatly improve his hand development and future independence. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Meshack's mother says, “His hand cannot open well, and I worry about how he will use it as he grows. I am praying he can get treatment and use his hand freely.”