Generous is is a 65-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a widowed mother of two, and a grandmother of five. Generous currently lives with and helps care for two of her grandchildren. She has no stable source of income, and depends on small-scale farming, which generates very little income for household needs and the grandchildren under her care. In her free time, she enjoys weaving, although her condition has made it increasingly difficult for her to continue. About 40 years ago, Generous began to experience troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling. Over the years, the swelling progressively increased in size and became associated with difficulty swallowing and intermittent palpitations. The condition has caused longstanding discomfort and distress. The swelling has also significantly affected her physical appearance, confidence, and self-esteem. These challenges have reduced her enjoyment of activities she once loved, including weaving. Determined to seek treatment, she borrowed approximately USD 4 from her local village savings group for transport and travelled nearly two hours to reach Rushoroza Hospital after being encouraged by a friend who had previously received treatment there. She was diagnosed with bilateral multinodular goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Generous receive treatment. On September 1st, she is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising the funds. Generous says, “I have lived with this swelling for almost my entire life, and it has taken away my confidence and comfort. I simply wish to live without the burden I have carried for so many years. I humbly request the donor program to help me receive this surgery. Your support will give me more than treatment, it will give me back my dignity, strength, and hope to continue caring for my grandchildren. May God richly bless you for standing with me.”

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.”

Edson is a 53-year-old man from Uganda. He and his wife are both small-scale farmers, and together they have six children, all school-going. Despite living on a limited and unpredictable income, Edson remains committed to providing for his family and ensuring that his children have the opportunity to attend school. However, Edson’s responsibilities extend far beyond his immediate family. He is currently responsible for a total of 17 people: his six children, his two elderly parents, and nine orphaned children whom he supports. This makes him the primary source of hope and survival for a remarkably large household. For about three years, Edson has lived with a mass behind his left knee, known as a left popliteal mass. The swelling has progressively increased in size and gradually interfered with his ability to perform his normal activities. For someone whose livelihood depends on physical labor, the condition has been especially challenging, as it has increasingly limited his ability to perform these duties. Edson has always trusted Rushoroza Hospital because of his previous knowledge of the quality of services provided there. When the swelling continued to increase and interfere with his daily activities, he decided to seek specialized medical attention. He travelled for approximately one hour to reach the hospital and spent about USD 4 on transportation. Upon arrival, Edson was assessed, and the findings revealed a lipoma requiring a major mass excision. The diagnosis gave Edson renewed hope. After struggling with the swelling for about three years, he finally has an opportunity to receive a lasting solution. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edson receive treatment. On September 1st, he will undergo mass excision surgery to relieve his discomfort, improve his mobility, and allow him to return to his farming activities. Now, Edson needs help to raise $261 to fund this procedure. Edson says, “I am responsible for 17 people, including my six children, my two elderly parents, and nine orphans. Today, I am the one who needs help, yet so many people depend on me. This swelling has taken away my ability to work and provide for them. I humbly appeal to the donors to help me receive this surgery. Your support will restore my health, my ability to work, and hope for the 17 people who depend on me. May God richly bless you for standing with me.”