Ruth is 36 years old and a single mother of three from Malawi. She also has one grandchild from her firstborn. Ruth has experienced multiple family losses. Both of her parents and her two siblings are deceased. The only surviving relative is her uncle, who is physically disabled and fully dependent on her for care and support. She earns a living by selling tomatoes. In 2003, Ruth began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small swelling on the right side of her neck. Over time, the swelling grew bigger and began to affect her health. She developed symptoms including loss of voice, neck pain, headaches, and frequent coughing. After 15 years, she finally sought medical attention and was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ruth receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 2nd at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Ruth shared, "My only hope is you; I tried all that I could, but failed. I am looking forward to your support."

Daud is 58 years old and a farmer from Malawi. He is a devoted father of seven children and a grandfather caring for four grandchildren under his roof. He lives a simple life centered around maize farming, which serves as the main source of food and income for his extended family. Like many hardworking men in his community, his days are spent in the garden, tending to his crops to ensure his family’s survival. For two years, Daud has had a left inguinal hernia. One day, while working in his field, Daud began to feel a sharp pain in his abdomen. Over time, the pain and discomfort have increased, making it increasingly difficult for him to carry out his daily activities, including farming. Fortunately, on April 9th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Daud is raising $500 to fund the procedure, which will allow him to live more comfortably. Daud said, "Despite the challenges that I'm facing, I remain hopeful that the upcoming surgery will restore my health and allow me to return to my garden, continue supporting my family, and enjoy life with my children and grandchildren once again."

Htee is a 51-year-old man from Burma who currently lives in a refugee camp in Tak Province, Thailand. He lives with his wife, their three children, and his brother-in-law’s family. The family moved to the camp in September 2024 so that Htee could seek medical treatment in Thailand. His wife and brother-in-law work as agricultural day laborers, while Htee is unable to work due to his health condition. In June 2021, Htee began experiencing troubling symptoms. Doctors diagnosed him with urinary tract stones and prescribed oral medication, which helped improve his condition for a period of time. In August 2024, Htee's symptoms worsened. After several consultations and tests, doctors diagnosed him with a prostate urethral stone and recommended shockwave lithotripsy, a procedure that uses high-energy shock waves directed via X-ray or ultrasound to shatter kidney stones. Htee is scheduled to undergo treatment on February 2nd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. With treatment, Htee hopes to recover and regain his ability to support his family. “I feel helpless and unable to support my family,” said Htee. “My wife has to be the breadwinner in this family, which makes me very sad. We are struggling financially, and I can’t even send my children to school. I am grateful for the support with my treatment and hope to be free from this suffering.”