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.

Koemleng is a 26-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her husband, a factory worker, and their four-year-old son. In her free time, Koemleng enjoys listening to music. In January 2026, Koemleng was involved in a motor vehicle accident that caused fractures of her right leg. She underwent fracture repair surgery, but the surgical site on her shinbone later got infected. The infection has been causing ongoing challenges with her leg, including stiffness, limited movement in her right knee, tingling and a foot drop. When Koemleng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On September 16th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and infected tissue from her right leg, along with removal of the implant. The treatment will help control the infection, support wound healing, and prepare her leg for further recovery. Koemleng is contributing towards her treatment, but needs help to fund an additional $412 for the procedure. She said, “I hope the surgery will help clean the infection from my leg and allow it to heal properly. I want to recover step by step, start walking again with physiotherapy, and return to my normal daily activities.”

Beatrice is a 46-year-old woman from Malawi. She and her husband have three children. Beatrice sells second-hand clothes to support her family. Five years ago, Beatrice began bleeding profusely and started to experience abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and was told that she would need to undergo a hysterectomy. She was booked for surgery on numerous occasions, but the surgeries never took place. Finally, Beatrice was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where she is now scheduled to undergo a hysterectomy on June 8th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,363 to fund Beatrice's surgery. Beatrice now has hope that the surgical operation will save her life. She believes surgery will help her resume her business and continue being a responsible mother. "I have tried all that I could, but have failed to be considered for surgery in government hospitals; unfortunately, my business cannot support my surgery, but only my family upkeep. Since I am the breadwinner, you are my last hope to save my life," said Beatrice.