Hector is a secondary school teacher from Malawi. He is married and has four children. To support his family, he works part-time. He traveled from Blantyre to Lilongwe seeking assistance for a surgical procedure known as an ileostomy reversal. Twelve months ago, Hector began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with bowel obstruction. He subsequently underwent surgery and was advised to return after three months for reversal of the stoma. Unfortunately, this did not materialize due to limited access to surgical support. Since then, Hector has endured significant physical, social, and emotional hardship. Living with a stoma for an extended period has affected his ability to eat and sleep comfortably. He frequently experiences discharge, which has impacted him socially and in his community. As a result, he shared that he has felt isolated, lonely, and psychologically distressed. When Hector learned that Partners in Hope (PIH) was supporting patients requiring surgery, he decided to travel to Lilongwe in search of assistance. His greatest desire was to undergo ileostomy reversal surgery and regain the comfort, dignity, and peace of mind he once enjoyed. By the time he sought support, five months had passed since he had become due for reversal surgery. Fortunately, on September 28th, Hector was reviewed by a surgeon at our medical partner PIH, who confirmed his condition and emphasized the importance of proceeding with the ileostomy reversal, but he would need financial support. An ileostomy reversal is a surgical procedure that reconnects the bowel and restores the pathway for the passage of stool after a temporary stoma has been created. Physicians recommend a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,244 to fund Hector's surgery. On October 2nd, he will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully greatly improve his quality of life. "I can see my life going down as time passes by. I came all the way from Blantyre because I trusted your support. Kindly help me get better so I can continue supporting my family," shared Hector.

Tai is a 69-year-old man from Cambodia. He previously worked as a fisherman, but is not currently working. Tai is married with one son, four daughters, and four grandchildren. He lives with his wife, and his sister and children also support him. In his free time, he enjoys watching TV, especially the news and boxing shows. About two years ago, Tai developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on his own. On October 6th, Tai is scheduled for a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Tai is contributing towards his treatment, but needs help to raise an additional $213 for the procedure. He says: "I hope that after the surgery my vision will improve, so that I can see more clearly, recognize my relatives better, go outside and travel to distant places more easily."

Thu Ya is a 21-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife in Chomburi Province, Thailand. He is a day labourer at a metal factory, and his wife is a homemaker. His income is enough to cover their daily expenses, and sometimes he also sends some money to his mother who lives in Burma. In his free time, he likes to learn the Chinese language on his phone. On the 17th of July. 2026, on the way from his work to his apartment, Thu Ya was driving a motorbike and fell, breaking his left arm and leg. He cannot walk and is unable to use his left arm to hold things. He is in pain and was forced to stop working. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Thu Ya will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for August 28th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Thu Ya be free from pain and able to walk and grab things again. He will be able to go back to his work after he is fully recovered. Thu Ya said, "I am stressed as I am in debt due to my condition and cannot work since my accident until now. While I am waiting for treatment, I will learn more Chinese and hopefully one day I will work as a Chinese translator as my new job. I feel like I cannot do heavy work after this treatment, so I will not return to my previous work."