Maria is a 28-year-old woman from Uganda. Maria has spent years trying to rebuild her life after losing her only child and undergoing two major abdominal operations. Today, she runs a small soft-drinks business to support herself and help care for her sister’s two children. She operates this business out of her own home. However, a painful swelling on her abdomen has begun interfering with the very business she depends on to survive. Maria underwent two abdominal operations, the first four years ago and the last one year ago. But for the past eight months, Maria continues to experience a painful swelling around her navel at the site of her previous abdominal surgery. The pain becomes particularly troublesome when she sits for long periods, laughs, or speaks. She has not received treatment for the swelling, and it has increasingly affected her ability to attend to her customers. At times, the pain becomes so severe that she has to close her business, losing the little income she depends on. On November 3rd, Maria will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. This procedure and care will cost $170, and Maria needs your help. Maria shares, “I have gone through two major operations, and the money I spent on treatment left me with almost nothing. Now I have this painful swelling, and sometimes I have to close my business because I cannot bear the pain. I depend on this small business to survive and to help care for my sister’s children, but I cannot afford another operation. I kindly appeal to the donors to help me receive the surgery I need. Your assistance would give me a chance to recover, return to my business, and continue caring for the children who depend on me. May God bless you for helping people like me who have nowhere else to turn.”

Sotheavy is an 11-year-old student from Cambodia. Her father is a police officer, and her mother works at a grocery shop. She is in Grade 4, and English is her favorite subject. In her free time, she enjoys drawing and reading storybooks. Her favorite foods are sour fish soup and fried pork with vegetables. Sotheavy was born with left torticollis, a condition in which the tight muscle on the left side of her neck causes her head to tilt to the left. The condition has become worse over the past year. She has difficulty bending her neck to the right because of the tight muscle. She also feels shy about her appearance because her head tilts to one side. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Sotheavy receive treatment. On October 29th, surgeons will perform a contracture release surgery to loosen the tight muscle in her neck, helping her hold her head straighter and move it more easily. This may also help her feel more comfortable and confident about her appearance. Now, she needs help to fund this $572 procedure. Sotheavy's mother said, “As her mother, I hope the surgery will help straighten my daughter’s neck and make it easier for her to move her head. She often feels shy about her appearance, and I want her to feel more confident, comfortable, and happy with herself as she grows up.”

Ty is a 24-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. His wife works as a footwear factory worker. His father is a rice farmer, and his mother works in a garment factory. In his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with friends in his village. When he was 13 years old, Ty had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. For this reason, Ty experiences chronic ear discharge, hearing loss, itchiness, and tinnitus or ringing in the ear. The condition has significantly affected his daily life. He has difficulty hearing and communicating with others, which often leads to frustration and emotional distress. It also affects his sleep and social interactions. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Ty receive treatment. On June 9th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. He can contribute $75, but needs help raising $288 more needed for his procedure and care. Ty said, “I have lived with hearing problems since I was young. I hope this surgery will improve my hearing so I can communicate more easily and enjoy a better quality of life.”