Lydia is a mother of seven and a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Her husband is a supermarket attendant at Mega Supermarket, a big supermarket in Kampala, but has recently returned home to take care of his ailing wife. For nine years, Lydia has been experiencing abnormal vaginal discharge associated with lower abdominal pains. She has sought treatment several times without any improvement. She recently developed severe backaches and the abdominal pains have worsened, forcing her to stop farming completely. She has been diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain due to chronic pelvic inflammatory disease. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 6th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Lydia will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Lydia needs help raising $319 to fund her procedure. Lydia says, “I finally have hope of living a normal life once again through surgery. I believe that I will continue with farming comfortably after complete recovery.”

Wedstanley, who is 10 months old, lives in a small village in northern Haiti, with his parents and three older siblings. Both of his parents are farmers. Wedstanley was born with a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which blood leaks between two major blood vessels next to his heart. As a result of this condition, Wedstanley is weak and short of breath. Surgical intervention is required in order to restore him to good health. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund Wedstanley's interventional heart catheterization. The procedure, during which surgeons will close the leak in his heart - allowing for normal blood flow - is scheduled for April 17th, at Clinica Corominas. Wedstanley's mother said: "Our family is praying that this surgery will go well and that our son will be normal and healthy!"

66-year-old Anna is a widow from Malawi where she lives with her two daughters, one of whom runs a saloon while the other sells second-hand clothing. Anna is in the business of renting houses. Last year, Anna noticed an asymptomatic swelling on the left side of her neck. She visited the nearest clinic where she was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital for tests on her thyroid. Anna was diagnosed with a goiter and was informed she would need surgery. Surgeons at Partners in Hope Hospital are scheduled to perform a thyroidectomy on May 3rd, during which all or part of Anna's thyroid will be removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,015 to cover the costs of Anna's procedure and care. Anna is hoping to get better after surgery so that she can continue supporting her family as a caring mother. Anna believes that her two daughters are the greatest priority in her life and that she has to be in good health for their sake as their only remaining parent. Full of smiles, Anna said: “Thank you, sponsors. I did not know this day would come in my life; I can smile again.”