Akakyimpa is a 17-year-old high school student and the youngest of four in his family. His parents are farmers who rely on their farm produce to pay for their children's education and daily needs. For two years, Akakyimpa has had an inguinal hernia. The hernia especially pains him when he does strenuous activities. One of Akakyimpa's favorite pastimes is playing football, but due to the hernia, he cannot play like he used to. He also cannot lift heavy loads without feeling severe pain. Akakyimpa was taken to Nyakibale Hospital, where doctors recommended surgery. However, his family is not able to raise the funds needed for his care, and appeals for financial support. Fortunately, on March 2nd, Akakyimpa will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Akakyimpa's surgery. With successful surgery, Akakyimpa will be able to lead a full, normal life without pain and fear of complications of the hernia, and he will be able to return to doing more of what he loves. Akakyimpa's father shared, “I hope that when he is treated and recovers well, he will be able to continue with school without any other challenges.”

Sinath is 37 years old man and about a year ago, Sinath had a tumor removed from his right knee. His knee continued to bother him, and he was unable to walk and felt poorly. More recently, Sinath fell off his motorbike and reinjured the same knee, which became more swollen and feels more painful at night. He is not able to walk without support. Doctors conducted a biopsy, which showed he has chondrosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that develops in cartilage cells. Doctors have recommended that the best course of action for him is an amputation above his left knee and then he can begin to have his mobility back and be more independent. Sinath will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo an amputation surgery on February 2nd. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $446 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Once fully recovered, he will be free of pain and will slowly learn to walk again. Sinath shared, "I hope that my right knee will have no pain nor wound infection after my surgery, and that I will heal quickly."

James is a small shop operator and 42-year-old father from Uganda. He came to the hospital with a localized swell above his umbilicus that has been persistence since childhood. Previously, the swelling was not painful, but in recent days, he started having pain around the area. Whenever he stains or does heavy lifting or bends, his pain severe. He had not been to any hospital previously but when he heard that surgery may be possible at Nyakibale Hospital he decided to visit. Doctors have diagnosed him with a supra umbilical lipoma, a non cancerous swell, and surgery was recommended. He is however not able to raise the funds needed for surgery. James is a father of four children who are all in school. He operates a small shop while his wife is a peasant farmer. All their income is directed towards paying their children's education and meeting their daily needs. James traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 4th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, James needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. James shared: “I can’t wait to have my health restored because this swelling has given me a hard time because I can’t bend or lift anything heavy, yet my work at the shop involves much of that. I hope to recover after my surgery and improve on my working performance at the shop.”