Vastine is a small scale farmer from Uganda. She is 39 years old and is currently expecting her fifth child. Vastine completed her primary education but, due to financial constraints, could not pursue further studies. During holidays, she decided to marry. As the eldest of seven siblings, all of whom are married except one engaged in casual labor. Vastine is from a farming family with both parents still actively involved in agriculture. Her husband, a casual worker in town, strives to support the family financially. Although limited by resources, she has a particular interest in poultry, maintaining a modest flock of approximately five hens. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Vastine presented herself at the antenatal clinic. Her first two births occurred in 2007 and 2010, both via C-section. Subsequently, in 2013 and 2017, she experienced miscarriages. In 2015, she successfully delivered her third child naturally, and in 2020, she had her last child through another C-section. Throughout her current pregnancy, she has diligently attended antenatal clinics at Nyakibale Hospital seven times for the comprehensive care package. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because this is a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Vastine undergo a C-Section on December 1st. This procedure will cost $252, and Vastine needs your support to ensure a safe delivery. Vastine says, “I wish I can deliver my baby alive and in good health under the support of the donors. I cannot afford the bills for this surgery on my own.”

Janet is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed her education up to the primary level but had to withdraw due to lack of school fees. She got married at the age of sixteen and together with her husband, they have seven children. The family has a small piece of land that Janet and her husband cultivate. Their earnings from this are very modest and unfortunately some of their children have had to drop out of school due to financial constraints. Ten months ago, Janet started experiencing some troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pains. She was diagnosed with a large irregular intra-peritoneal cystic mass. She has been experiencing great discomfort which has deteriorated her health and has directly impacted their family income. Physicians recommended a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $279 to fund Janet's treatment. On March 7th, she will undergo surgery at Uganda Martyr's Ibanda Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will greatly improve her quality of life. Janet says, "I was already worried about how we shall raise the hospital funds but to my surprise, God already had a plan for us. I have high hopes of having a successful surgery, and I know everything will move on smoothly. I will be able to resume my usual activities of farming, and my children will be able to go back to school and complete their studies.’’

Negaso is a young boy from Ethiopia. He is the third child of his parents. He loves playing football with his friends and wants to attend school. He loves the spinach his mother makes. When he was only one day old, he underwent a emergency colostomy in Butajira Hospital as he was born with a birth condition that leads to intestinal blockage. His mother has a small vegetable business on the streets. At the same time, his father is a daily laborer, and their income is minimal. Negaso wants to go to school and cries when he sees other students go to school by school bus in the morning. His family can't send him to school since he has a colostomy, and they haven't been able to get him the necessary follow-up treatment for his condition. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Negaso is now scheduled to undergo surgery to heal his condition on January 4th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, requests $1,500 to cover Negaso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Negaso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. His mother said, "I worry that kids would touch his colostomy while I keep him on the street market with me."