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.”

Hav is a four-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is the only child in his family and currently lives with his grandmother, who is a rice farmer. Because of financial difficulties, his parents have moved to the city to find construction work. He enjoys playing with toys with his cousins, and his favorite foods are fried pork and eggs. Around May 2026, Hav suffered an electric burn to his left hand. Although the wound healed with basic wound care, scar tissue gradually formed and tightened around his left ring finger. The scar contracture has tightened the skin around his left ring finger, making it difficult for him to fully straighten and move the finger. This can also make it harder for him to use his hand comfortably while playing and during other everyday activities. When Hav's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to address the scar that is restricting his ring finger, helping him move it more naturally. Better finger movement can support his ability to play, explore, and use his hand as he grows. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Hav's grandmother said, “I hope the surgery will help my grandson move and straighten his finger more easily. He is still very young, and I hope he can use his hand comfortably as he grows, plays, and learns.”

Dah is a 52-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, two daughters, and a son in the village in Karen State, Burma. Dah and her husband work as agricultural day laborers. Currently, Dah experiences back pain while sitting for long periods. She was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Dah's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Dah is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on June 25th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Dah's procedure and care. Dah said, “We do not have work every day. If there is work available but I have back and stomach pain, I cannot work, so we do not have income for the day that I did not get to work. I wish I could get the surgery and be free from this pain, but I do not have the money. Thank you so much for helping me. Without your help, I had decided that I would just stay with the stone inside me for the rest of my life.”