Giripina is an elder from Uganda who had eleven children- three of whom are still living. She is a small-scale farmer alongside her husband, who also practices carpentry. During her free time, Giripina enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. One month ago, Giripina began to experience uncomfortable symptoms, including a bulging abdomen. She continued with her activities at home, hoping that the condition would go away on its own. When the symptoms intensified, she was referred to a hospital where she was diagnosed with partial intestinal obstruction. The doctors recommended surgery given that, if left untreated, Giripina could develop worsened obstruction, gangrene, intestinal perforation, sepsis, or death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Giripina with this life-saving treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a curative laparotomy on March 10th. This procedure will cost $297, and Giripina and her family need your support. Gripina says, “I pray for a successful surgery. I hope to get well so that I may be able to continue taking care of myself and my family through farming.”

Marvens is a toddler who lives with his parents and his older sister. His parents are looking forward to starting him in preschool as soon as he recovers from his surgery. Marvens has a cardiac condition called partial anomalous pulmonary vein return (PAPVR). One of the major veins in Marvens' chest connects to his heart in a location that is not anatomically normal. As a result, blood cannot flow normally through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 1st, Marvens will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will detach the vein from his heart and reattach it at the anatomically correct position. Marvens' family needs help to fund the costs of surgery, and the prep and follow-up care required. Marvens family and our medical partner have been able to raise some of the support needed, but still are in need of $1,500 and have turned to the Watsi community for support. Marvens' mother says: "Our family is very happy to have this chance, and will be praying for everyone who is helping us!"

Sonara is a 37-year-old office worker living in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. He is single and lives with his elderly father and two sisters. His father is the village chief, his older sister works in a music store, and his younger sister works in an office. When not working, he enjoys reading books. Several days ago, he noticed a wound on the sole of his left foot. Since he was 17, he remembers having a small black mole on his foot, but until recently, he did not have pain. The mole has recently increased in size and hinders his ability to walk. Because most people never check their feet for signs of melanoma, unfortunately it often spreads before it is noticed. When Sonara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision and biopsy of the mole on the left sole, medial plantar flap, and inguinal node biopsy to determine if he has melanoma and if it has spread. In addition, surgeons will replace the part of his sole that has been excised with a local flap. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Sonara said: "I am lucky to know about CSC, I hope the pain in my foot goes away and I can return to work."