Hamis is a cheerful, outgoing, and confident five-year-old from Uganda. He is the middle child in his family of three, with his older brother in Primary Four and his younger sister just starting nursery school. Hamis loves exploring new things. While he was at the hospital, his curiosity was evident. Upon noticing the computers in the office, he would quietly sneak over and start pressing every button he could find. When asked about school, Hamis responded confidently and enthusiastically, proudly sharing the name of his school, teachers, and best friend. Hamis and his best friend play football, have lunch, and walk to and from school together. Academically, he is doing well and recently ranked fifth in a class of sixteen pupils. At home, Hamis is equally active and helpful. He fetches water, collects firewood, and especially enjoys washing utensils. His parents are both small-scale farmers who work hard to provide for their family. Since Hamis was four years old, he has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. Initially, it did not seem to cause any concern, but over time, the swelling continued to increase, appearing intermittently and causing him significant discomfort. As the condition worsened, Hamis complained of pain. Seeking medical help, his mother took him to a nearby hospital, where he was examined and recommended for surgery. Unfortunately, his family could not afford the cost of the procedure and were given pain medication and advised to return home. As time passed, the pain became increasingly severe. During a subsequent visit to a nearby clinic, a nurse learned of our medical partner's surgical support services available at Nyakibale Hospital and referred the family there. At Nyakibale Hospital, the surgeon explained that if the condition is left untreated, the hydrocele could become infected, potentially leading to serious complications that may affect his reproductive health in the future. Hamis needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and prevent further complications. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 2nd, Hamis will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $146 to fund Hamis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Hamis's mother said, "It pains us so much seeing our son in pain. Being a determined child, sometimes when he says so, we think he is kidding, but it seems true that he is in pain. The only option we are given for a complete recovery is surgery, but we are unable to raise the money they need. We kindly appeal to you for support."

Sakhorn is 69 years old and a retired rice farmer from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. He has one daughter, three sons, and seven grandchildren. Sakhorn lives near his daughter, who is also a rice farmer. He likes to listen to the radio and go to the pagoda. About two years ago, Sakhorn experienced a traumatic incident that led to a condition in his left eye called retinal detachment, where the thin tissues at the back of the eye pull away from their usual position. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sakhorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On April 7th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner is requesting $706 to fund his procedure. Sakhorn said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can go out and do housework."

Benson is an 11-year-old boy from Kenya. His mother shared that she first noticed a problem with his foot when he was almost two years old. At the time, she hoped he would eventually outgrow it and begin walking better, but the condition persisted. Determined to find help for her son, she took Benson to hospital. Benson has Equinus deformity, a condition in which the upward bending motion of the ankle joint (dorsiflexion) is limited. This causes him to walk on his toes instead of placing his entire foot on the ground. The condition developed as a result of cerebral palsy, a condition he was born with. Over the last few years, Benson has attended physiotherapy sessions, surgery and has been fitted with corrective splints to realign his foot, but each time, the procedures did not achieve the expected results. His mother got increasingly worried about his health and future, until a friend informed her about specialized care at our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE Hospital. Benson is presently admitted at AIC CURE Hospital in preparation of his corrective surgery. The procedure represents a significant opportunity to improve his quality of life, as his condition has limited many of the activities and opportunities he would otherwise enjoy. He often experiences pain in his leg, especially during cold weather, making it difficult for him to walk comfortably. Benson's surgery has been scheduled for June 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 for the treatment that will provide Benson greater mobility, reduced pain, and the chance to pursue his dreams with renewed confidence and independence. He says: "I am looking forward to a quick healing so that I can continue with my regular life."