Christine is a 44-year-old mother from Uganda. She has two children, both of whom are enrolled in school. Early on in her marriage, her husband passed away. As a widow, Christine relies on subsistence farming to provide food and financial support for her family. To earn extra income, she occasionally works as a casual laborer on other farms. These additional earnings help her afford essential household necessities such as soap, salt, and other daily requirements. Christine finds joy in seeing her children pursue their education, hoping it will open doors to future professional opportunities. Five years ago, Christine began to experience troubling symptoms, notably a swelling at the front of her neck. Although initially painless, the swelling began to cause her discomfort. Over time, Christine began to experience difficulty with swallowing and breathing, shortness of breath, and palpitations after engaging in laborious tasks. Her condition limited her ability to work on her farm and carry out daily responsibilities, significantly affecting her quality of life. Due to financial constraints, Christine initially resorted to local herbs and traditional remedies to manage her condition. However, the interventions provided no relief, and she underwent screening at Nyakibale Hospital. There, Christine was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, an abnormal swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland is located in front of your neck and produces hormones that are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Christine requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Christine receive treatment. On November 1st, Christine will undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons may remove all or a portion of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Christine says, “Having my surgery with your support will be a blessing. Once I am back on my feet, I am sure I will be able to keep up with farming and will continue working at my best to keep my children in school. I can’t do this on my own and kindly appeal to you for support.”

Tai is a 69-year-old man from Cambodia. He previously worked as a fisherman, but is not currently working. Tai is married with one son, four daughters, and four grandchildren. He lives with his wife, and his sister and children also support him. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV, especially the news and boxing shows. About two years ago, Tai developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. On October 6th, Tai is scheduled for a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Tai is contributing towards his treatment, but needs help to raise an additional $213 for the procedure. He says: "I hope that after the surgery my vision will improve, so that I can see more clearly, recognize my relatives better, go outside and travel to distant places more easily."

Francis is a 49-year-old married man with 4 children from Malawi. He orders raw cassava from farms and sells it in town. However, due to his health, he is unable to work. Eleven years ago, Francis noticed a swelling in a sensitive part of his body. The swelling would be intense and cause pain and discomfort, affecting his ability to work and perform daily tasks. He was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia is a condition where tissue, such as part of the intestine, pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. If left untreated, inguinal hernias can lead to complications, such as strangulation, which cuts off the blood flow to the protruding intestine and can be life-threatening. Surgery is the only recommended treatment. Fortunately, on July 1st, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Francis's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Francis shared, "I am afraid of losing my life; the swelling terrifies me; I need your support to help me get better again, for me to resume my business and continue supporting my family."