Scovia is 58 years old and a mother of nine from Uganda. When she was 10, she lost both of her parents within a short period, leaving her and her siblings to be raised by their grandmother. She and her husband depend on farming as the family’s main source of livelihood. They primarily grow food crops such as beans, maize, and potatoes for household consumption and sell any surplus produce to generate income for her family’s needs. Twenty years ago, Scovia began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling at the front of her neck. Because the swelling grew slowly and was not painful, she did not initially seek medical attention. However, about a month ago, she began experiencing shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, and increasing breathing difficulties. Concerned about her worsening condition, she sought medical care at a nearby hospital where she was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. 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 Scovia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 2nd. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Scovia says, “This has never been painful, but recently, I couldn’t breathe. Am always catching my breath and can’t do anything about it because of limited finances. I kindly appeal to you for support to have my surgery so I can continue farming and keep my children in school.”

Huoy is a 56-year-old single woman from Kandal province. She previously worked as a rice farmer but has stopped farming. Huoy currently lives with her niece, who works as a tailor. She likes to participate in ceremonies and visit the pagoda. About two years ago, Huoy developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. 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 Huoy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On July 9th, doctors will perform a 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 $263 procedure. Huoy said, "I hope that after my surgery, my eyesight will improve so that I can go out more easily, help my niece care for her children, and do household chores independently. I also hope to live without worrying about my eye condition anymore."

Ma is a 46-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, three daughters, and a niece in a refugee camp in Mae Sariang District, Mae Hong Song Province, Thailand. Her daughters are students, while Ma's husband works in a motorbike repair shop. Since November 2025, Ma has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and frequent urination. She has been diagnosed with a uterine myoma. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Ma's surgery. On May 20th, she will undergo gynecological surgery, which will help her resume her daily activities free of pain. Ma said, “I am concerned that the mass could be a cancer when I noted that it is getting bigger. I could not weave as I did before because of pain, and I feel the mass in my belly.”