13-year-old Tracy's dream is to be an accountant. Her learning, however, has been marked by challenges beyond her control. She was born with hearing impairment and lived the initial years of her life unable to make out sounds. When she turned five, her mother got concerned and took her to the hospital for medical attention. The medical team recommended fitting of hearing aids, but unfortunately, Tracy's mother, who raises her on her own and earns a modest income working in a salon, could not afford the cost of the hearing aids. She turned to family, friends and well-wishers who helped raise enough funds, and at six years old, Tracy had hearing aids fitted. The treatment marked a turning point in her life. Tracy was able to return to school and, although she had fallen behind her peers, she began making remarkable progress. For the first time, Tracy could hear her mother calling her and respond appropriately. She could also hear her teachers instead of relying solely on lip-reading to follow lessons. More importantly, she gained the ability to interact, communicate and build friendships with other children, giving her a renewed sense of belonging and confidence. Over the years, doctors observed encouraging progress in her development and communication. In January this year, however, Tracy began experiencing complications with her hearing aids. They gradually stopped functioning properly and sometimes produced excessive noise, making it difficult for her to hear and communicate. This setback significantly affected her education, making her miss school and once again experience the isolation she had overcome. Earlier this month, her mother brought her back to AIC Kijabe Hospital for further assessment. Following an examination, the doctors established that her hearing aids had failed and that she urgently required a new pair. Unfortunately, her mother remains unable to meet the cost due to her limited financial resources. Presently, Tracy is struggling to keep up with her peers academically and socially. The loss of her hearing aids has once again placed barriers between her and the world she had begun to experience so fully. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Tracy receive treatment. On October 30th, Tracy is scheduled to have new hearing aids fitted, so she could regain her ability to hear, learn, communicate and interact confidently with those around her. Now, Tracy's family needs help to fund this $1,171 procedure. Tracy says: "Since my hearing aids stopped working, I have been unable to attend school, which has made me fall behind my peers."

Enos is a 59-year-old man and father of three children from Uganda. He and his wife depend on small-scale farming as their primary source of livelihood. Together, they cultivate crops to feed their family and earn some income to meet household needs, including their children's education. In his free time, Enos enjoys singing at church, which brings him spiritual comfort and happiness, as well as watching television and spending time with his family. He values his role as a husband and father and takes pride in contributing to his family's well-being through farming. Last year, Enos noticed a swelling developing around his right ear. Initially, the swelling appeared manageable, but it has progressively increased in size. The uncertainty surrounding the nature and progression of the swelling has also caused him considerable anxiety. Concerned about his condition, Enos sought medical attention and was given an ultrasound scan. The findings were suggestive of a benign tumor located in front of his right ear. After clinical assessment, surgical intervention was recommended to address the swelling. Enos is scheduled to receive surgery on his right ear on November 3rd at our medical partner's care center, Rushoroza Hospital. This procedure and care will cost $134. Doctors are hopeful that this procedure will help Enos regain his health and allow him to return to his farming and social activities. Enos shares, "I am worried about the swelling that has continued to grow near my right ear, and I wish to have it treated before it causes me further complications. Unfortunately, my wife and I live on small-scale farming, and our limited income is already committed to supporting our three children and paying their school fees. We cannot afford the cost of the recommended surgery on our own. I kindly appeal to donors to support me so that I can undergo the operation, recover, and return to my farming activities and family responsibilities. I will be very grateful for any assistance extended to me. May God bless everyone willing to give me a helping hand."

Pon is a 61-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He is married with one son, one daughter and five grandchildren. He lives with his wife who is also a rice farmer. His daughter is a garment worker and his son is a construction worker. He likes to listen to the news and the monks praying on the radio. About two years ago, Pon developed a cataract in his right 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 Pon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Pon said: "I hope that after surgery my eye can see better, so I can easily go back to growing rice, and venture outside well."