Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school but was not able to continue because her parents were unable to support her education. She is separated from her husband and raising two children. Her firstborn is 14 years old and no longer in school, and her secondborn is 13 years old and is in primary school. She lives with her parents in a three-room mud house. Ten years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck which was rapidly increasing in size. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help her at all. Currently, the mass has enlarged excessively and has caused difficulty in swallowing. She also experiences mild airway obstruction and on-and-off episodes of severe headaches. She was diagnosed with a goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Allen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo thyroid surgery on February 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Allen says, ‘‘I pray to have a successful surgery. I hope to continue with farming after complete recovery to be able to support our family. May God bless you.’’

Angela is a 62-year-old woman with two grown sons. During her childhood, her dream was to be a teacher however she has to stop school at Primary 6 due to financial constraints. She is married and she and her husband farm for a living. They live in a traditional mud house in southwestern Uganda. Two years ago, Angela began experiencing lower abdominal pain and backache. Due to limited finances, Angela had never seen a doctor but when symptoms became severe, she decided to seek medical help and was diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesion. She needs to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 22nd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund this procedure. Once she has recovered, Angela will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She says, “I hope for a complete recovery and I have faith that I will get better.”

Theara is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her grandparents and her younger brother. Theara's grandparents have taken on the primary caregiver role, while her parents work in a factory a few hours away, regularly sending money to support their family. Theara was born with cerebral palsy, resulting in musculoskeletal difficulties, but she can still independently walk short distances and ride a bike. She loves biking with the kids in the village, and enjoys eating mangoes and watermelon. However, Theara has been experiencing crouch gait, a walking pattern characterized by excessive bending of the knees during the stance phase of walking. Over the last several months, she has struggled with difficulties in walking, sitting, and sleeping comfortably. Theara was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgery Centre. On March 7th, Theara will undergo osteotomy surgery to ease her discomfort and improve her mobility. Theara's family is requesting for your help to support the $469 procedure. Theara expressed her hope for better health so that she can participate in a local schooling program designed for children with disabilities.