Ruth is 36 years old and a single mother of three from Malawi. She also has one grandchild from her firstborn. Ruth has experienced multiple family losses. Both of her parents and her two siblings are deceased. The only surviving relative is her uncle, who is physically disabled and fully dependent on her for care and support. She earns a living by selling tomatoes. In 2003, Ruth began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small swelling on the right side of her neck. Over time, the swelling grew bigger and began to affect her health. She developed symptoms including loss of voice, neck pain, headaches, and frequent coughing. After 15 years, she finally sought medical attention and was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ruth receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 2nd at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Ruth shared, "My only hope is you; I tried all that I could, but failed. I am looking forward to your support."

Thon is 47 years old and a construction worker from Cambodia. He is married and has three children who work in a furniture factory. In his free time, Thon enjoys planting vegetables around his home. Thon sustained an open fracture of the left tibia and fibula along with a degloving injury of the left hand following a recent road traffic accident. Immediately after the accident, he received treatment at a government hospital, and his injuries were temporarily stabilized. He still needs a skin graft on both his left hand and leg to promote proper healing and restore function. He is experiencing pain, difficulty walking, and stiffness. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 6th, Thon will undergo a skin graft. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $558 more to fund his procedure and care. Thon said, “I hope that with this skin graft, my hand and leg will heal properly. I want to be able to move and use them without pain, so I can return to my daily life and work.”

Pang is an 85-year-old man from Cambodia. His wife passed away, and he currently stays with his sixth child, who works in a garment factory. His other children are all married and live with their own families in nearby areas. He enjoys resting at home, growing vegetables, listening to Buddhist chanting, and chatting with friends in the village. Recently, Pang was struck by a motorbike while walking with his bicycle, leaving him with severe left hip pain. He has been diagnosed with a left femoral fracture — a break in the upper part of the thigh bone — which has made walking extremely difficult and greatly affected his mobility and independence. Fortunately, on April 21st, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will help Pang undergo a hip hemiarthroplasty, a procedure to replace part of the hip joint and relieve pain. Pang's family can contribute $50, but needs help raising $662 more to fund his procedure and care. Pang said, "I just want to be free from this pain and walk on my own again. After the surgery, I hope I can move around independently and return to my normal daily life.”