Emmanuel is a baby from Uganda. He is the last born in a family of three children. His mother is a housewife, and his father is a small-scale farmer. Their firstborn is 8 years old and in primary school class two, while the second is 5 years old and in middle junior class. They rent a single room for shelter, located within walking distance from Rushoroza hospital. One month after birth, Emmanuel has since had a right inguinal hernia. He was born via a C-section at Rushoroza Hospital under the SAFE fund. His mother reports that her son developed a small inguinal swelling and an umbilical swelling (hernia) that later disappeared. She was told to wait until he was one year old so that surgery could be done. The hernia makes him uncomfortable and irritable, and the herbs the mother has been using as treatment are no longer working. Fortunately, on March 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $170 to fund Emmanuel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Emmanuel’s mother says, “I pray that my son may have a successful surgery so that he may live a comfortable life and grow into a big man in the future."

Juliet is a 62-year-old farmer from Uganda. She is a mother of 7 children. Five of the children have completed schooling, while two are currently in school. Juliet and her husband practice small-scale farming. Ten years ago, Juliet began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling, fatigue, and swallowing difficulties. She was diagnosed with multinodular goiter. She went to Nyakibale for care and was recommended surgery as treatment. Without treatment, she is at risk of further complications from the goiter, which might worsen due to existing hypertension. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Juliet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help to raise the funds. Juliet says “I am the lady who tries my best to have good health but this time I am poor enough to afford anything in regard to surgery. I pray that you consider me to have my health restored and I live well through farming.”

Theara is a 19-year-old student from Cambodia. His parents are farmers and grow rice and vegetables. He has three siblings, including one brother and two sisters. He is in the 12th grade and enjoys reading Khmer literature. When he graduates from high school, he would like to attend a university to study law. Theara was born with bilateral club feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. His parents consulted with a local hospital when he was born, but they did not follow up because they did not have the money. Now, he has difficulty walking and cannot wear shoes. He feels embarrassed by his condition and does not like to socialize with other people due to his disability. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. Theara traveled two and a half hours to visit CSC where, on November 15th, surgeons will perform a tendon transfer procedure with bilateral clubfoot frames. After treatment, he can learn to walk normally and will have more self confidence. Now, he needs help raising $444 to fund his procedure and care. Theara shared, "after surgery, I hope I can walk and run, and wear shoes like other young men, so I can continue my education."