Ebenezer is a seven-month-old baby boy from Burundi. As his mother shared the journey that brought them to the hospital, little Ebenezer slept peacefully on her back, calm and unaware of everything happening around him. Ebenezer is the firstborn child in his family. According to his mother, the first days and weeks of motherhood have been far from what she had hoped. She has spent nights awake beside him, facing hospital stays, uncertainty, and the constant fear that his condition could become more serious. She and Ebenezer's father have remained hopeful despite their son's health challenges. The couple work as small-scale farmers to support their family. Soon after his birth, Ebenezer began to experience troubling symptoms, including an inability to pass stool, and his abdomen began to swell. His mother became deeply worried. She took him to a hospital where he was admitted and received treatment, but despite the efforts of the medical team, his condition did not improve. Eventually, the family was referred to our medical partner's care center, Kibuye Hope Hospital, for specialized care. Ebenezer has been diagnosed with Hirschpung disease, a congenital condition where a baby is born missing specific nerve cells in parts of the large intestine, leading to severe bowel blockages. Physicians recommend a laparotomy, which is a surgery that opens up the abdominal cavity to treat his condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $467 to fund Ebenezer's surgery. On September 22nd, he will undergo a laparotomy procedure at Kibuye Hope Hospital, allowing him a healthier life. Ebenezer’s mother shared, "Thank you to everyone who has supported us. We could never afford this treatment on our own, and our child needs care before his condition becomes more serious. May God bless everyone helping us and give us the chance to smile again with a healthy child."

Lin is a 35-year-old fish seller from Prey Veng province. He is married and has one son and one daughter. He lives together, his wife is also a fish seller, and his children are students. In his free time, he likes to listen to the news on his phone and play volleyball. About one year ago, Lin developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Lin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 10, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. He can contribute $25, but needs help raising $238 more to fund his procedure and care. Lin said, "I hope after surgery, my eye can see better. I can go back to selling fish well again, and I can drive my motorcycle and bring my children to school easily, and can go far places well."

Eric is a 48-year-old man from DR Congo, but presently lives in a refugee settlement in Uganda. Eric and his family were forced to flee due to instability in their country, and have now lived in Uganda eight years, trying to rebuild their lives. To support themselves and care for their children, Eric and his wife engage in farming on a rented piece of land. Since he was the age of six, Eric has had a right reducible inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. The condition has caused significant discomfort and has affected most of his life. He experiences pain when lying on his stomach or back, making it difficult for him to sleep comfortably. Eric sought treatment at several health facilities, but he was mainly given painkillers, which did not provide lasting relief. Over time, his condition has continued to affect his well-being, and he has become increasingly weak. When Eric heard about a medical outreach organized by the hospital, he went in for examination by the surgical team, who recommended surgery to treat his condition. Fortunately, on August 4th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Rwibaale Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $234 to fund Eric's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Eric says, "I hope to be able to bend and do my daily activities after recovery."