36-year-old Brenda lives with her family in Uganda. She had hoped to become a nurse, but due to financial constraints, her parents were unable to afford the schooling she would have needed. Today Brenda is engaged in farming - primarily for home consumption - although she sells any surplus she produces to generate income for her family. Brenda is currently pregnant with twins. Except for the malaria that she contracted in her first trimester, Brenda's pregnancy has been healthy. However, doctors have determined that one of the twins is in a breech position, and in order to ensure the safety of both Brenda and her babies, they are recommending that Brenda deliver via a Caesarean section. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Brenda undergo a C-section on December 28th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. This procedure will cost $252, and Brenda needs your support. Brenda says: “I expect the best of my delivery and I am hoping to be given a chance to deliver under your support.”

Srey Mey lives in Kampong Cham province with her parents and older sister. Both of her parents work in nearby rice fields. Srey Mey enjoys science class and hopes to be a nurse when she's older. She studies with her friends and likes listening to pop music in her free time. Since she was little, Srey Mey's parents noticed stiffness in the right side of her neck. A local clinic diagnosed her with torticollis, a twisting of the neck that causes the head to tilt at an odd angle. The family has hoped she would grow out of it, but her condition has not changed. She has a limited range of motion and often feels embarrassed. Fortunately, a friend in their village told Srey Mey's family about the Children's Surgical Centre. Srey Mey and her mom traveled two and a half hours for treatment. Doctors recommend a tendon surgery to restore the range of motion in her neck. Surgery will resolve her head tilt and improve her quality of life. Srey Mey shared, "I hope I can move my neck normally and not worry about this anymore."

Nom is a 64-year-old widow. She is a retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province, living with a daughter since her husband passed away ten years ago. She has two daughters from her long marriage to her husband - one is a rice farmer, one works in construction, and they have given her five beautiful grandchildren. At home most of the day, she likes to listen to the monks chant on the radio, or visit the local Buddhist centre. Five years ago, Nom developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and difficulty keeping her balance. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Nom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better. I want to help my daughter take care of my grandchildren and do housework to help her."