Annet, who is 39 years old, is a farmer living with her second husband and two children in Uganda. Annet's husband is a casual builder in their village. About six years ago, Annet started feeling mild neck pains. She then developed a small neck swelling that started to increase in size over time. She thought it was a temporary condition, and tried using herbs, which did not help her at all. Instead, she began to experience troubling symptoms, including mild airway obstruction, and unusual fatigue, which have impeded her work as a farmer. Ultimately, Annet was diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter, for which she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Annet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 11th at Rushoroza Hospital, when surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and Annet and her family need your help to raise this money. Annet says: “I pray for a successful surgery. I hope to live a normal life once again. I will continue with farming so that I may be able to continue taking good care of my family.”

20-year old-Evans, who recently finished school and began working as a motorbike rider, lives in Kenya with his parents and two younger siblings, who are still in school. Evans was riding his motorbike on March 4th, 2023, when he was hit from the side by another vehicle. He was not able to stand on his own or to bear weight on his left leg following the incident. In addition, he lost a significant amount of skin on his leg and foot. Bleeding and in severe pain, Evans was rushed to a facility in Kiambu town where an X-ray was performed. The results revealed a fractured bone that required immediate attention. While Evans' wounds were debrided and irrigated, he was told that he is in need of skin grafting and additional debridement to prevent infection. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Evans receive treatment. On March 17th, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help prevent infection and save his leg. Now Evans needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Evans says: “I had just started this boda-boda job to help my parents. Unfortunately, I got into an accident that made me unable to walk. I need this surgery to heal this wound.”

Christina is a 56-year-old mother of five children. She and her husband- both farmers- live in Malawi. In addition to farming, Christina also does some piecework to earn additional money. In 2015, Christina started to experience pains in her neck, where she also noted a small swelling. She didn't bother going to the hospital, as her discomfort was very mild. In 2020, however, she began to experience chest pains, neck heaviness, and a hoarse voice. She also found it difficult to carry heavy items on her head. She visited the hospital and was diagnosed with a goiter. She continued on, living with her various symptoms until March 2023, when she developed breathlessness. On April 17th, 2023, Christina met with the surgeon at Partners In Hope Medical Center, who told her that her condition requires surgical intervention. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,015 to cover the cost of the thyroidectomy that Christina needs. During this procedure- which is scheduled for May 19th at Partners in Hope Medical Center- surgeons will remove part or all of Christina's thyroid gland. Christina is hoping to get better after surgery, so she can continue supporting her family as a caring mother. Christina said: "Thank you sponsors, I have hope that I will be well after surgery."