Sarai is 56 years old and a mother of four from Malawi. She works as a handicraft worker, while her husband is a retired teacher. She traveled over 200 kilometers seeking surgical support for a thyroid condition that has severely affected her quality of life. Ten years ago, Sarai began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on her neck. Since it caused no discomfort at the time, she did not seek medical attention. However, in 2024, the swelling grew bigger and started to cause pain. She started to experience difficulty swallowing, restricted neck movement, and challenges with daily activities, including climbing stairs. Sarai was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PIH), where she was diagnosed with a goiter involving the swelling of both thyroid lobes. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Sarai receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 2nd at PIH, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Sarai said, "I can't swallow and breathe well. Your support will save my life."

Naf is a second-grader from Ethiopia. This eight-year-old and proud big brother is known for being very smart and loving to learn. For over four years, he has quietly suffered from severe tonsil problems. The symptoms worsened over the past year, interrupting a happy childhood supported by his father, a teacher who helps with his studies, and his mother, who works hard at a hair salon. Every day is a struggle for Naf. He misses a lot of school because of his health. He has trouble sleeping, struggles to breathe, breathes through his mouth during the day, and has speech issues that make it hard to talk to others. His family cares for him deeply, but the mounting medical bills have made it hard to pay for the specialized care he urgently needs. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Naf, which is scheduled to take place on September 26th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Naf of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Naf's parents shared, "We cannot wait to get the surgery done so he can smile and play like the happy, energetic kid he was four years ago."

Hoem is a 66-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has four daughters, two sons, and 13 grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is a rice farmer, and a daughter who is a construction worker. Hoem likes to join ceremonies at the pagoda. About two years ago, Hoem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract clouds the eye's lens, 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 she is not able to go places on her own. When Hoem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 22nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Her family can contribute $20, but needs help raising $243 more to help fund her procedure and care. Hoem shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can go out and join the ceremonies. I want to be able to care for my grandchildren better."