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.”

Believe is a six-month-old and the youngest of six children from Tanzania. His mother works hard to support her children on her own by farming maize. Her earnings are enough to cover lunch and dinner for her family, but little is left to meet additional expenses. Believe was born with clubfoot on both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is turned inward, making it difficult to wear shoes and walk without discomfort. Believe's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, to seek care. Surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on October 23rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $341 to fund Believe's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his feet will develop properly, allowing him to wear regular shoes and live an active childhood. “I worried that I could not afford treatment for my son. I am grateful that Kafika House has given us hope and the chance for him to grow up able to walk comfortably,” says Believe's mother.

Lida is a 20-year-old garment factory worker from Cambodia. She is the youngest of six siblings and lives with her elderly mother. Her father passed away three years ago, while all of her siblings work in garment factories. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and watching movies. In September 2024, Lida was involved in a traffic accident that resulted in open fractures of her left thigh bone and shin bone. She initially received treatment at a private hospital before coming to CSC for further care. She continues to have stiffness in her left knee and ankle and needs crutches to walk. She also has discharge from the outer side of her left ankle, causing ongoing discomfort and making it difficult for her to move independently. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 03, Lida will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $378. Removing the frame and applying a below-knee cast will support the next stage of her recovery, helping protect her leg while it continues to heal and allowing her to work toward walking more independently. Lida said, “I hope this treatment will help my leg heal, and reduce the infection and discomfort. I look forward to walking more independently and returning to my normal daily activities.”