Annet is a confident, social and interactive woman. She is a mother to two daughters and lives in southwestern Uganda. Growing up, she had an ambition of being a teacher but was unable to achieve this dream. Her husband died in 1990, and she raised her daughters independently. She farms for a living and mostly grows enough to feed her family and then sells off the surplus to generate income. She lives in a two roomed house with two of her grandchildren. For over 2 years, Annet has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, bleeding, and persistent backache. She has been diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesion, which if left untreated could turn into cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. When symptoms became severe, she was seen by a doctor and was recommended for a total abdominal hysterectomy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $219 to fund Annet's surgery. On February 20th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Once recovered, Annet will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. She says, “I have faith that when given your support, I will be worked on, will be able to regain my health and continue farming in good health.”

Beatrice is a friendly, outspoken, and determined woman from Uganda. She separated from her husband fifteen years ago, leaving her to care for their two sons and one daughter. Her elder son is a teacher, her daughter is a nurse operating a small medicine shop, and her younger son is in school and just finished senior year six. Growing up, Beatrice wished to become a teacher, but she had to leave school early. Despite this setback, Beatrice has worked hard to provide an education for her children from the modest income she makes from running a small retail shop. She also engages in farming to supplement her income. Over six years ago, Beatrice began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling. She reports feeling that her neck veins are always paralyzed, experiencing pain when swallowing, having shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing when sleeping. As her symptoms became too severe to manage, she sought help at our medical partner’s care center. The doctors had her undergo a thyroid test and diagnosed her condition as a giant goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Beatrice needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Beatrice receive treatment. On April 9th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy, during which the surgeon will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to fund this procedure. Beatrice said, “I am hopeful for a successful surgery, and I will continue with my business in good health after I have recovered.”

Nom is a 64-year-old widow. She is a retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province, living with a daughter since her husband passed away ten years ago. She has two daughters from her long marriage to her husband - one is a rice farmer, one works in construction, and they have given her five beautiful grandchildren. At home most of the day, she likes to listen to the monks chant on the radio, or visit the local Buddhist centre. Five years ago, Nom developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and difficulty keeping her balance. 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 Nom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform 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 $253 procedure. She shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better. I want to help my daughter take care of my grandchildren and do housework to help her."