Albert is a 27-year-old man from Malawi. He is the third-born in a family of six. Before his illness, he was employed and actively supported his parents, but he is currently unable to work and relies on his brother for support. Four months ago, Albert developed severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with a hollow viscus perforation — a tear in the wall of the intestine — caused by typhoid infection. Emergency surgery was performed, during which surgeons created a stoma, a surgically-made opening on the abdomen that diverts waste when the normal digestive pathway is compromised. While the stoma has allowed his bowel to heal, it has caused him significant discomfort and affected his daily life and confidence. Fortunately, on June 17th, Albert will undergo surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. This procedure will cost $1,244, and Albert needs your support to fund the surgery. "The stigma is too much and has taken away all my happiness due to isolation, bringing in more pains, both physical and psychological; your support will help me to recover," Albert shared.

Maria is a 28-year-old woman from Uganda. Maria has spent years trying to rebuild her life after losing her only child and undergoing two major abdominal operations. Today, she runs a small soft-drinks business to support herself and help care for her sister’s two children. She operates this business out of her own home. However, a painful swelling on her abdomen has begun interfering with the very business she depends on to survive. Maria underwent two abdominal operations, the first four years ago and the last one year ago. But for the past eight months, Maria continues to experience a painful swelling around her navel at the site of her previous abdominal surgery. The pain becomes particularly troublesome when she sits for long periods, laughs, or speaks. She has not received treatment for the swelling, and it has increasingly affected her ability to attend to her customers. At times, the pain becomes so severe that she has to close her business, losing the little income she depends on. On November 3rd, Maria will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. This procedure and care will cost $170, and Maria needs your help. Maria shares, “I have gone through two major operations, and the money I spent on treatment left me with almost nothing. Now I have this painful swelling, and sometimes I have to close my business because I cannot bear the pain. I depend on this small business to survive and to help care for my sister’s children, but I cannot afford another operation. I kindly appeal to the donors to help me receive the surgery I need. Your assistance would give me a chance to recover, return to my business, and continue caring for the children who depend on me. May God bless you for helping people like me who have nowhere else to turn.”

Ly Horng is a seven-year-old girl from Cambodia. She lives with her mother, who works at a glove factory, and her older brother, who is in Grade 11. She is in Grade 2 and enjoys reading and writing in Khmer. In her free time, she likes playing hide-and-seek with her friends. Her favorite foods are caramelized pork and grilled fish. Ly Horng was born with a small cyst behind her left ear, which has gradually increased in size as she has grown older. Over the years, the lump has become more noticeable and is now painful to the touch. Doctors have identified it as an epidermoid cyst. Although it has been present since birth, the growing lump has started to cause her discomfort, especially when she touches the area during daily activities or while playing with her friends. On November 3rd, Ly Horng will undergo surgery to remove the mass. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), needs help to raise $344 to fund this procedure. Ly Horng's mother said, “I hope the surgery will remove the lump behind my daughter’s ear and stop it from hurting when touched. I want her to feel comfortable, enjoy playing with her friends, and grow up happily without worrying about it.”