Saran is a 55-year-old rice farmer who is married with one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. He and his wife live with their youngest daughter who is a student. Unfortunately, due to chronic eye irritation and sensitivity to light, he is unable to work in the rice field. At home, he likes to listen to the monks pray and the news on the radio. Six years ago, Saran developed a pterygium in his right eye causing him irritation, tearing, and difficulty seeing in bright lights. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. When Saran learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 13th, Saran will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216 which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Saran shared, "I hope my eye gets well after surgery. I can go back to the rice field again to help my wife and can plant vegetables near our house to earn money for my daughter's studying."

Sarafina is a small scale farmer and a mother of six, with five living children. She shared with us that she attended school up to the first grade when she was young and since has farmed, while her husband is a retired soldier. They own a three-room semi-permanent house for shelter. Their oldest child is now 45 years old and dropped out of school due to mental illness while their youngest recently got married. Sarafina receives a little support from her children and relies on her farm produce to meet her daily needs. For two years, Sarafina has been experiencing lower abdominal pains along with itchy arms. She used herbal medication for the itching but she never got relief. She visited Rugarama Hospital and the scan showed uterine fibroids. Sarafina has stopped farming because she can no longer bend down, and has had to miss some follow-up appointments due to limited funds. Her symptoms have worsened and she has been diagnosed with large uterine leiomyoma. An exam revealed a cervical mass highly suspicious of cervical cancer. If not treated, Sarafina could develop chronic pelvic pain and there is a risk of cancer spreading, poor quality of life due to chronic pain and organ failure. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus, but her family cannot afford the surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $319 to fund Sarafina's surgery. On September 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Sarafina will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Sarafina says, “I pray that I may be considered for treatment because I am in severe pain and my condition could get worse. I hope to be normal again so that I may get back to farming and taking care of my family.”

Owomugisha is a 13-year-old student and the oldest child in a family of three siblings. His parents are small scale farmers and his family lives together in a single rented room. In March, Owomugisha developed a small mass in his chest area, which has been gradually increasing in size. He was initially given medication, but the mass is not receding. If it is not treated, he will continue to be uncomfortable in school, and could experience poorer quality of life. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Owomugisha receive treatment. He traveled to AMH's care center where, on June 2nd, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Owomugisha needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Owomugisha’s mother shared, “I pray that my son may get well through surgery. I want him to be able to comfortably proceed with his education.”