Shahidu is a small-scale farmer from Malawi. He is married with three children. He has never attended school and cannot read or write, so he is unaware of his children's ages or classes. Shahidu primarily grows crops for his family's consumption. Three years ago, Shahidu was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. He has been experiencing abdominal pain and swelling, a feeling of weakness or pressure in the abdomen, and discomfort when bending over, coughing, or lifting heavy objects. These symptoms worsened over time, causing him significant pain and difficulty performing daily activities. If left untreated, inguinal hernias can lead to complications, such as strangulation, which cuts off the blood flow to the protruding intestine and can be life-threatening. Fortunately, on October 2nd, Shahidu will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund Shahidu's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Shahidu said, "I just want to be healthy again to focus on farming and provide for my family. This pain has made life hard, but with the surgery, I believe things will get better. I’m grateful for the help, and I look forward to getting back to work and making sure my children have a better future."

Catherine is a 38-year-old woman from Malawi. She was born into a family of six children, but tragically, both her parents passed away. Catherine presently works as a sales representative and lives alone, but has two dependents: one in secondary school and the other in primary school. Four years ago, Catherine began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling and pain in the neck. More recently, the pain has worsened, affecting both her shoulders which is greatly impacting her well-being. She sought medical attention at a local hospital where different tests were done. She was diagnosed with a goiter and was scheduled for surgery. In the waiting period, Catherine was advised by a friend to seek medical treatment at our partner care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH). On April 22nd, she was reviewed at PIH and the goiter diagnosis was confirmed. The surgeon recommended a thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of part or all of the thyroid gland. However, Catherine is unable to afford the surgical treatment costs. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare, is helping Catherine receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 7th to relieve the pain and swelling, and prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Now, Catherine needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Catherine says: "Facing the hurdles of life alone has not dimmed my determination. Despite the challenges, I am hopeful that I will overcome this obstacle and I am committed to providing for my dependents. With the upcoming surgery, I see a path back to normalcy, where I can excel in my role as a sales representative and confidently pursue my goals once more."

Kanika is a thirteen-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her mother and younger brother in Pursat Province, near the border with Thailand. Kanika's mother sells groceries at home, and her father works at a factory in Korea to support the family. Kanika is currently in seventh grade and enjoys her geography class. She has shared that she wants to work in Korea like her father when she is older. At home, Kanika's favorite meal is fried fish with rice, and she likes doing her homework and helping take care of her younger brother. Kanika has been diagnosed with both Marfan syndrome and scoliosis, which are complex conditions leading to pronounced spinal deformities. These conditions affect her physical appearance, making her fingers and toes long and slender and causing a sunken chest. Marfan syndrome also impacts her heart function. Her scoliosis results in severe double curves in the thoracic and lumbar regions. These conditions make her feel uncomfortable at school, and in social situations, impacting her daily life. Kanika and her mother were referred by a public hospital in Phnom Penh to our medical center, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), for spine treatment. On September 4th, specialized spinal surgeons will perform a fusion surgery to stabilize and correct Kanika’s severe spinal curvature. The surgeons will use implants and bone grafts to join the vertebrae together. Kanika’s mother can only afford $100 toward her daughter’s care and needs your help to raise the remaining $1,400 for the surgery, hospitalization, implants, post-operative medication, and physiotherapy. This procedure will help relieve Kanika’s discomfort, improve posture, and prevent future complications. Kanika's mother shared, "I hope that my daughter will be able to live comfortably and continue her schooling."