Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’

Saroth is a 42-year-old mechanic who lives in Kandal province with his wife and three children. His wife stays home to take care of the children - a 16-year-old daughter, an 11-year-old daughter, and a four-year-old son. All the children are active in the local school and keep their parents busy. When not taking care of his children, Saroth likes to play soccer with friends. In June 2022, while working on a roof, Saroth fell about three meters to the ground and fractured his left humerus in the middle of his upper arm. He visited a local hospital, where a metal plate was inserted to stabilize the bone. However, it is still hard for him to use his arm and he is unable to work so his family struggles financially. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 20th, Saroth will undergo a procedure to heal his arm, which will cost $304. This procedure will help him improve his range of motion to increase strength and completely heal. Saroth is hopeful he'll be able to find a better-paying job if he has full use of both arms. Saroth said: "After surgery, I hope I have no pain and can use my arm again to work hard to support my family."

Juley is a 16-month-old baby from Haiti. He lives with his parents who are market vendors, and his grandparents in a small village near the capital. He is a very cheerful and curious child. Juley has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus. Two separate holes exist in and near his heart: one between the two lower chambers of his heart, and a second between two major blood vessels next to the heart. Blood leaks through these holes, leaving him weak and short of breath. Juley will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 2nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew the holes closed so that blood can no longer leak through them. Another organization is contributing funds to pay for surgery. Juley's family needs help funding the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Juley's family overseas. Juley's mother says: "Our family will be praying for everyone who is helping our son become healthy!"