Heak is 60 years old and a hardworking rice farmer from Cambodia. She lives with her niece, who is a Grade 12 student. She is the seventh of ten siblings, all of whom are married. Her parents passed away during the Khmer Rouge era. Despite many hardships in life, she continues to support herself through rice farming. In her free time, she enjoys listening to music and helping with household chores. In 2024, Heak was involved in an overturned car accident while traveling in Thailand, resulting in a severe fracture of her left femur near the knee. Although she underwent surgery to stabilize the fracture, the bone failed to heal properly and developed into a nonunion, causing ongoing pain in her left knee and leg. Heak experiences persistent pain and stiffness in her left knee, making it difficult to walk without support. The condition limits her independence, affects her ability to work in the rice fields, and makes everyday activities challenging. Fortunately, Heak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and sought treatment. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Heak of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for June 1st. Heak can contribute $100, but needs help raising $1,213 more for her procedure and care. Heak said, “I hope this treatment will help me walk without support again and live without pain. Being able to move independently would mean so much to me and allow me to return to my normal life.”

German is a 70-year-old father of seven from Malawi, who has spent most of his life doing whatever work he can find to keep his family going. Some days there is work, and some days there is not, but he has always tried to provide for his household with what little he earns. Two months ago, German started experiencing difficulty passing urine which has affected his comfort, sleep, and ability to work. Hopeful for assistance, he went to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was assessed and diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). He was given medication and advised to return for a follow up review. During his follow up clinic, doctors confirmed that medication alone would not be enough for treatment, and have recommended an open prostatectomy to restore normal urinary function. For German, hearing that surgery could help him was a relief. However, that relief was quickly overshadowed by the reality of the cost. With limited income from casual work and farming, the family has no realistic way of affording the surgery cost. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund German's procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on July 9th and, once completed, it will hopefully help him regain his health, return to his daily activities, and continue supporting his family. “I have worked all my life with my own hands, and I still want to be able to help my family. This illness has made even simple things difficult. I am praying that I can receive this surgery and live with comfort again,” German said.

Alfred is a 76-year-old elderly man from Malawi. He is a husband and father of eight children, all of whom are now grown and living on their own. He once relied on farming to support his family, but in recent years, his health has limited how much he can do. For the past five years, he has been walking with the help of a walking stick. In 2024, Alfred started experiencing urinary retention. Alfred was diagnosed with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, which is an enlarged prostate. A catheter was placed and since then, it has needed to be changed every month, a process that has brought ongoing discomfort, making even simple activities difficult. He needs to undergo a prostatectomy, a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Alfred receive treatment. The surgery is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on May 6th and, once completed, it will improve Alfred's quality of life. Alfred and his family are able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising an additional $530 to fund the surgery. He says, “I have lived with this condition for a long time, and it has not been easy. I want to be free from the catheter and the discomfort it brings. I am hoping to get help so that I can have the surgery treatment, and live more comfortably again.”