Hector is a secondary school teacher from Malawi. He is married and has four children. To support his family, he works part-time. He traveled from Blantyre to Lilongwe seeking assistance for a surgical procedure known as an ileostomy reversal. Twelve months ago, Hector began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain. He was diagnosed with bowel obstruction. He subsequently underwent surgery and was advised to return after three months for reversal of the stoma. Unfortunately, this did not materialize due to limited access to surgical support. Since then, Hector has endured significant physical, social, and emotional hardship. Living with a stoma for an extended period has affected his ability to eat and sleep comfortably. He frequently experiences discharge, which has impacted him socially and in his community. As a result, he shared that he has felt isolated, lonely, and psychologically distressed. When Hector learned that Partners in Hope (PIH) was supporting patients requiring surgery, he decided to travel to Lilongwe in search of assistance. His greatest desire was to undergo ileostomy reversal surgery and regain the comfort, dignity, and peace of mind he once enjoyed. By the time he sought support, five months had passed since he had become due for reversal surgery. Fortunately, on September 28th, Hector was reviewed by a surgeon at our medical partner PIH, who confirmed his condition and emphasized the importance of proceeding with the ileostomy reversal, but he would need financial support. An ileostomy reversal is a surgical procedure that reconnects the bowel and restores the pathway for the passage of stool after a temporary stoma has been created. 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 $1,244 to fund Hector's surgery. On October 2nd, he will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully greatly improve his quality of life. "I can see my life going down as time passes by. I came all the way from Blantyre because I trusted your support. Kindly help me get better so I can continue supporting my family," shared Hector.

Savy is a 68-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and lives with her husband. They have two children: one works as a primary school teacher, and the other is a nurse. In her free time, she enjoys growing vegetables around her home and visiting the pagoda. In 1981, Savy suffered a gasoline burn on her right forearm. Although the wound healed after receiving dressing care, it left extensive scarring. Around 2004, she underwent surgery and skin grafting at Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) for a smaller lesion in the same area. About seven months ago, a new wound appeared on her right forearm and gradually grew larger. A biopsy on September 29, 2026, confirmed squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer. The wound causes pain and makes it difficult for her to use her right hand comfortably for everyday activities. Savy traveled for eight hours so she could receive treatment. On October 27th, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to remove the cancerous tissue and help the wound heal. It may also help reduce her discomfort and allow her to use her right hand more comfortably for daily activities, such as tending to her vegetables and caring for herself. Her family can contribute $100, but needs help raising $483 more to fund her procedure and care. Savy said, “I hope the treatment will help my wound heal and reduce the pain in my arm. It has been difficult to use my hand for everyday tasks, and I wish to do more things on my own again. I hope I can feel more comfortable and return to my daily life with less difficulty.”

Rithy is a 73-year-old married man and a farmer from Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia. He grows potatoes and mangoes for a living. He has one son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. Rithy lives with his wife, who is also a farmer growing potatoes and mangoes, and his daughter, who works as a farmer as well. His favorite hobby is visiting the pagoda. About four years ago, Rithy developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him 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 Rithy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 2nd, 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 $50, but needs help raising $213 more to fund his procedure and care. Rithy said, "I hope that after cataract surgery, my eyesight will improve so that I can move around more easily, return to farming, and continue growing mangoes and potatoes successfully."