Harriet is a smallscale farmer and a mother of four. She was able to complete school up to the 6th grade, then could not proceed with education due to limited financial support from her family. Her husband is a casual laborer finding work where he can around their village. They own a two-room mud house for shelter. Their family's eldest is 13 years old and in primary school class three while the last born is 5 years old and in baby junior class. Harriet shared that sustaining her family has been hard for her and her husband. During her free time, she enjoys working on her farm whenever she is not doing her household chores. About four months ago, Harriet began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe lower abdominal pains and immediately went to seek medical attention at Rushoroza hospital. She was diagnosed with a ruptured appendicular abscess. This is a complication of acute appendicitis which results from the invasion of the appendix by bacteria following an obstruction. It was managed and the doctors advised her to return after a while for appendicectomy but she has not been able to afford the surgery cost. Currently, Harriet has completely stopped farming due to severe pain. If her surgery is not done, Harriet is at risk of suffering a recurring appendicular abscess and could live a very poor quality of life. Her family however cannot afford the surgery charges. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Harriet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a curative laporotomy on November 11th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $284 and Harriet and her family need your support. Harriet says, “I hope to live a better life after the surgery because I have been in so much pain. I will resume farming as soon as I get better.”

Srey Noch is a 29-year-old married mother of two children from Cambodia. She and her husband have two daughters, one who is nine years old and in school, and another who is four. Her husband works as a car repairman, while Srey Noch works in a clothes factory. In her free time, Srey Noch enjoys cooking for her family and watching television with her family. Two years ago, Srey Noch developed a painful mass on her right jaw. The mass has grown quickly and she is very worried about her health. She feels ill and is unable to open her mouth or eat solid food. She visited a local hospital for examination, and they referred her to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for specialized surgery. Srey Noch traveled to CSC for examination and treatment. She was diagnosed with ameloblastoma, or a non-cancerous tumor of the jaw area. On December 8th, surgeons at CSC will perform surgery to remove the mandibular mass and repair the wound with a fibular free flap. Now, Srey Noch needs help to fund this $657 procedure. Srey Noch shared that she hopes the mass will be removed and not return. She said, "I want the surgery to cover my wound so that I can have a normal face again."

Nelson is a friendly two-year-old boy. He is the last-born child in a family of two children. Nelson's father works at a construction company while his mother has a kiosk where she sells commodities like sugar, salt flour, and cooking oil. Their income is not enough for them to care for and provide for the family and at the same time pay for Nelson's needed surgery. Nelson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, meaning his legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he cannot walk easily. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Nelson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 11th. Treatment will hopefully restore Nelson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Nelson’s mother says, “He complains of pain a lot and you can see how much he struggles to stand.”