Getrude is a 66-year-old humble and soft-spoken woman. She is married and the mother of eight children - five boys, and three girls. Her eldest son is a truck driver, two of her sons are in the bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) business, and the remaining two sons are farmers. Her daughters are all married and are local farmers. Getrude managed to study up to the primary level and now earns a living through her small banana and coffee plantation. Unfortunately, her husband is unable to work due to issues with diabetes and hypertension. Getrude was brought in by her daughter, who reported that she had been experiencing a protruding mass, backaches, and lower abdominal pain for the past six months. Her symptoms are exacerbated by lifting heavy objects or walking long distances. After examination by a doctor at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), she was diagnosed with uterine prolapse with an anterior cystocele. Fortunately, surgeons at AMH are able to help and have recommended that Gertrude undergo a hysterectomy and surgery to help relieve the pain she is experiencing in her abdomen, which will cost $243. Gertrude and her family are hopeful that this procedure will help relieve her pain, and that she will have no more problems. She shared “I am going through a lot of pain, I can do nothing at home, but I hope with surgery, I will get better.”

Vicky is a friendly 38-year-old mother to four boys aged between 2 and 12 years old. She lives in a three-room semi-permanent house with her family. Her husband is a small-scale maize farmer who works tirelessly to support his family. Vicky has a big anterior neck swelling that moves when swallowing. The swelling has been there for ten years now and has been gradually increasing in size, with pain that aggravates her when she lifts heavy things. Vicky states that she first developed goiter when she was a form two student. It was removed in 2007 in a Ugandan hospital, but reappeared three years later. Vicky began to experience troubling symptoms, including being unable to eat, drink, or sleep comfortably. She had an especially difficult time when she was expecting her children. Neighbors always help her with home chores as her children are still young and her health condition limits her physical capacity. Sometimes she has elevated blood pressure that causes angina. At our medical partner's hospital, she was diagnosed with Multinodular Thyroid Cyst. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Vicky receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 21st at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $936, and she and her family need help raising the funds. Vicky says, ”I am so stressed with what I am going through. I would love to work together with my husband in order to provide for our family, but my health status cannot allow me. Please help me because I am optimistic that I will get well someday and be able to help.”

Srey Tey is a playful 3-year-old from Cambodia. She lives in Svay Raing province with her parents and two older siblings. Her mother cares for the children at home, while Srey Tey's dad earns a living as a taxi driver. Srey Tey's favorite things include ice cream, cartoons, and playing with her siblings! Srey Tey's mom had a long and difficult delivery with shoulder dystocia, a condition where one or both of the baby's shoulders get stuck in the birth canal. Since birth, she noticed that Srey Tey has limited movement in her left arm. Srey Tey has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Currently, she cannot move her left hand and has limited strength and function in her arm. Srey Tey's family brought her to our medical partner's care center for treatment. This is the only center in the country where this treatment is available. On May 11th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will have improved function in her arm and hand. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Srey Tey's family contributed $100 to her care. Srey Tey's mother shared her hopes that, after surgery, Srey Tey will be able to move her hand more easily and start preschool.