Jailosi is a husband and father of five children from Malawi. For most of his life, 61-year-old Jailosi relied on farming to support his family. His routine, however, came to an abrupt halt when he suddenly began experiencing urinary problems that quickly became severe. The most troubling was urinary retention, leaving him unable to pass urine normally. To relieve the immediate problem, he was catheterised, a measure that has helped manage his symptoms, but has also brought discomfort and disrupted his daily life. Presently, farming work that once sustained his family has been put on hold as he focuses on seeking treatment and managing his health. This has affected his income and also weighed heavily on him emotionally. Hoping for a lasting solution, Jailosi went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Doctors advised that surgery is needed to correct the problem. While the news brought hope, it also brought concern. Unable to work for months, Jailosi does not have the financial means to pay for the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund the procedure for Jailosi. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on June 3rd and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Jailosi's quality of life and allow him to get back to work. Jailosi said, “This illness has taken away my ability to work and live normally. I believe that if I receive this surgery, I will finally have peace of mind again. My greatest wish is to recover, return to my farm, and continue caring for my family.”

Huoy is a 56-year-old single woman from Kandal province. She previously worked as a rice farmer but has stopped farming. Huoy currently lives with her niece, who works as a tailor. She likes to participate in ceremonies and visit the pagoda. About two years ago, Huoy developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her 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. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Huoy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On July 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $263 procedure. Huoy said, "I hope that after my surgery, my eyesight will improve so that I can go out more easily, help my niece care for her children, and do household chores independently. I also hope to live without worrying about my eye condition anymore."

Bekelu is 40 years old and a farmer from Ethiopia. Her husband is also a farmer, and they work hard to support their six children. One year ago, Bekelu started to experience bleeding and severe abdominal bloating. Her illness has affected every part of her life. She once worked side by side with her husband on their farm, but she can no longer do the heavy work. She also finds it challenging to cook, clean, and look after her six children the way she used to. She was a strong, independent mother, and now she depends on others for help. Her whole family lives with stress and worry about her health and their future. Bekelu was diagnosed with uterine fibroids, painful growths in her uterus. She needs to undergo a myomectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove the fibroids. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on October 5th, and our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $1,050 to fund her surgery. Bekelu shared, "I want to be strong again, work on our farm with my husband, and take care of my children. I don't want my family to worry about me anymore."