Joyce is a 14-year-old girl from Tanzania. She lives with her parents and four siblings in a pastoralist Maasai community. She is currently in Standard Six at a local primary school and is known by her teachers as a determined and respectful student. Joyce has been living with a severe extensor tendon contracture and burn scar contracture affecting her right hand and wrist. Over the years, the condition has gradually limited her ability to open her hand, extend her wrist, and use her fingers effectively. Despite these challenges, Joyce remains committed to being productive. She has adapted by using her left hand for writing and most school activities, which has slowed her work and made classroom tasks more difficult. At home, she participates in household chores, but tasks that require gripping, lifting, or two-handed coordination are hard for her. Simple activities like carrying water, washing clothes, or holding tools can be painful and frustrating. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Joyce receive treatment. On February 18th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to significantly improve her ability to write, care for herself, and participate fully in school and home life. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Joyce says, “I try to do everything with my left hand, but it is slow and difficult. I would desire my right hand to work so I can write and do my schoolwork without struggle.”

Ben is a 77-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. He has four sons, two daughters and eight grandchildren. Presently, he lives with his aging wife, and the couple gets support from their children. Ben likes to join ceremonies at the pagoda. About one year ago, Ben developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. When Ben learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 6th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Ben and his family are contributing towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising $213 more to fund the surgery. He says, "I hope that after surgery my eye will see better, and I won't have to worry when I wish to join the ceremonies at the pagoda."

Boxter is a farmer from Malawi. He is a husband and father of three from Dzungu village in Dowa District. He grows maize, tomatoes, and other crops to support his family. Three years ago, Boxter started experiencing urinary retention. It is a condition he chose to keep to himself, not sharing it even with those closest to him. Despite the discomfort, he continued working and providing for his family, doing his best to manage the situation quietly. Recently, he came to Nkhoma Hospital and waited in the surgical clinic to be seen. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Doctors explained that he needs a surgery, known as TURP, to relieve his condition and restore normal function. While this gave him a clear solution, it also brought worry. Boxter began making phone calls to family members, hoping they could help him raise the money for surgery. In the end, they were only able to gather a little, which is not enough to cover the full cost. He was advised to return home and wait until more funds could be found. Still in need and uncertain of what to do next, Boxter was referred to the SAFE Program for consideration. This has given him a chance to be heard and a renewed sense of hope. He now looks forward to the possibility of receiving treatment and returning to his normal life without the burden he has carried in silence for so long. Physicians at Nkhoma Hospital determined that Boxter should undergo a prostatectomy. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on April 29th. Once completed, it will hopefully improve Boxter's quality of life. Boxter said, “I have stayed with this problem for a long time without telling anyone. I was afraid and did not know how I would manage it. Now that I have a chance to be treated, I am hoping for support. I want to be well again and live without this condition.”