Jannifer is the second-born child in a family of two. She lost both her parents in a road traffic accident when she was four years old. She was the only survivor of the accident. After her parent's burial, she stayed with her grandmother in the village until she started having abdominal pains and was taken in by her aunt for proper care and support. The aunt is a single mother of 4 children aged 20 (twins),16 and 6. Beatrice, the aunt, separated from her husband, who does not render support so she works as a driver and uses her income to support the children. They live in a two-bedroom rented house with water and electricity. For four years, Jannifer has had abdominal pains originating from the umbilical region. This has affected her studies as she keeps missing school attendance. Jannifer has now been diagnosed with a hernia, and fortunately, she is eligible for surgery which can cure her condition. Her aunt looks forward to a successful surgery that would enable Jannifer to concentrate on her school. She said she could not wait to see Jennifer continue to excel in life as a loving and beautiful girl. Jannifer said, “I don’t like the pain because it hurts,” and Beatrice, her aunt said, "Kindly help my daughter because I want her to live happily.”

Jojina, a single mother from Malawi, is 52 years old and has five children ranging in age from 15 to 29. They all live together in a two bedroom house, in addition to Jojina's mother, her uncle who is blind, and her four grandchildren. She earns a living by brewing and selling a local brew. Fifteen years ago, Jojina noted a small swelling on her neck that was not painful at the time. At first, she thought it would go away on its own, but it instead got bigger. She visited different herbalists to no avail. In 2022, she visited a nearby hospital, and was referred to the regional hospital, where after examinations, a diagnosis of goiter was made. She was sent home and asked to wait for her surgery date. Early this year, she started experiencing breathlessness and neck pain. She is presently unable to carry heavy items on her head and can no longer work as usual, which has significantly reduced her income. Jojina made a decision to visit our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), after hearing that other people with similar problems had been assisted at the center. Early this month, her diagnosis was confirmed at PIH and a surgical intervention called thyroidectomy was recommended. Jojina could however not afford the cost of treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jojina receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to alleviate pain and discomfort, and allow Jojina to resume work and continue supporting her family. Now, Jojina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Jojina says, “I am patiently waiting to be free from my symptoms, be able to work pain-free, and carry items on my head after surgery.”

Mike is a 29-year-old farmer from Malawi. He has one child, who is currently in nursery school. Mike sustained a lower leg fracture. He was rushed to Nkhoma Hospital, where after an assessment, he was scheduled for open reduction surgery. However, Mike cannot afford the cost of the surgery, which is the only remedy for repairing the fracture and alleviating Mike of the pain that prevents him from working and taking care of his family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $636 to fund his surgery, which is scheduled for February 27th, at Nkhoma Hospital. Mike said: “I hope to get treatment so that I can go back home to my family free of this condition.”