Vichheka is a 26-year-old from Cambodia. Along with caring for her daughter, Vichheka and her husband sell grocery products from their home. When Vichheka was a toddler, she fell off the front stoop of her home, possibly creating a left hip deformity. Her parents brought her to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for examination; it was decided that surgery was not needed at the time. Since then, she has suffered from frequent spasms down her left leg, made worse by prolonged periods of standing while working. A relative suggested she return to CSC to determine if there was a solution to her ongoing pain. Now doctors would like Vichheka to undergo contracture release surgery on her rectus femoris, a muscle in the upper leg to finally heal her condition. After recovery, Vichheka should be in less pain. Now, she needs $572 to fund her procedure. Vichheka shared "I hope I can walk easier with no more pain after this surgery, so I can help my husband and raise my child."

Dorothy is a 68-year-old woman from a village in the Lilongwe District of Malawi with three married children. She depends on small-scale farming as she grows maize and groundnuts for consumption and commercial purposes to support herself. Dorothy started experiencing itching followed by a lump in her left breast which kept growing in size and became painful. She visited different health centers where she was unable to receive a diagnosis or treatment until she was seen by a surgeon from Nkhoma Hospital who conducted a free clinic at her nearby health center. Dorothy was diagnosed with breast cancer and she needs to undergo mastectomy surgery. She is willing to undergo the procedure but is unable to afford the surgery. This condition has had a negative impact on Dorothy’s life as she feels pain in her breast and is worried that the cancer could spread. Treatment will relieve Dorothy of the pain and she will no longer be stressed. Dorothy is requesting $567 to fund treatment from our partner, African Mission Healthcare. Dorothy says, “I am looking forward to treatment and full recovery.”

76-year-old Moyenda hails from a village in Lilongwe District. He has 12 children of whom 3 are in school and the rest are married in their respective homes. Moyenda had to leave primary school when he was young, therefore he could not secure a good job and support his family. He depends on farming where he grows maize for consumption and sweet potatoes for commercial purposes. For one year, Moyenda has been experiencing a painful swelling in a sensitive area. The swelling disappears after a while, and it is accompanied by abdominal pain and vomiting. He has been visiting different health centers where he was given drugs to no avail until he was advised to visit Nkhoma Hospital for further assessment. Moyenda was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, and he was scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery. However, he cannot afford the cost although he wishes to undergo surgery. This condition has had a negative impact on Moyenda’s life as he feels abdominal pain when the swelling appears, and he cannot do his farming activities. If the condition is left untreated, it may lead to strangulation which can be life-threatening. Treatment will relieve him of the pain and he will be able to focus on his farm without any hindrances from the condition. Moyenda is scheduled for hernia repair surgery February 13th. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare is requesting $500 to fund surgery, medications, and medical care. Moyenda says, “I would love to be free of this condition for good.”