Innocent is an outgoing and hardworking lady, who is 49 years old. She and her husband and three school age children live in Uganda. Because Innocent was orphaned, she didn't have the opportunity to pursue her education beyond primary school. Today she farms, primarily to produce food crops for the family's consumption, while selling any surplus to help generate some income. Her husband is a builder, who is also engaged in farming. One year ago, Innocent began to experience troubling symptoms, including shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, heart palpitations with high blood pressure, and fatigue on walking even a short distance. Due to limited finances, she tried using local herbs and traditional cutting, with the hope that she would improve, but nothing has worked to alleviate her symptoms. A friend with whom she shared her concerns referred Innocent to the hospital in Nyakibale, where tests and scans were performed. Innocent was diagnosed with bilateral goiter, which impacts the thyroid gland's production of hormones critical to Innocent's metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Innocent receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 28th at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and Innocent and her family need your help to raise the money. Innocent says: “I believe with your support I will be able to be operated on and will finally be relieved from all these symptoms I’ve been having.”

Mao is a 46-year-old mother from Cambodia. She lives in Kandal province with her husband and 13-year-old daughter. Her husband works as a security guard at a clothing factory, and her daughter is in the 6th grade. Mao looks after the household and does small jobs around the village to supplement the family income. In her free time, she likes going to the local market with her daughter and preparing new recipes. Mao was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture on her left forearm. She is unable to use her arm for every day tasks, and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On March 20th, Mao will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will help her forearm move easily again. Now, Mao needs help to fund this $483 procedure. Mao says, "I hope I can care for my family again. I want to be able to take care of my family's home, and not be in pain anymore."

Sotey is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives with his grandparents and his younger brother. His grandparents work as rice farmers, and his parents work on a pig farm just over the Thai border. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Sotey has been attending a school for children with disabilities for the last several years. Inspired by his teachers, he would like to become a teacher and work at the school in the future. Sotey likes reading in his free time and eating his grandmother's amazing chicken soup! About one month ago, Sotey had a fall and dislocated his left hip. Before the fall, he could walk independently, with intermittent use of a walker. For the last month since the accident, he has been in a wheelchair due to pain and frequent falling when attempting to stand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On March 6th, Sotey will undergo a fracture repair procedure to help him walk again. CSC is requesting $483 to fund this surgery. Sotey contributed $100 to his care. Sotey's teacher accompanied him on the six-hour journey to CSC. She shared with our team: "I hope he can stand on his own again. We want him to feel happiness about the future."