Velonika, a 52-year-old woman from Malawi, is married and has four children. She and her husband engage in farming to support their family. Five years ago, Velonika began to experience small, painless swelling on her neck. Over time, the swelling grew larger without affecting her daily life. In 2022, the swelling became noticeable, prompting her to cover her neck until the end of the year. In 2023, Veronica developed symptoms like frequent coughs and neck heaviness. Despite visiting a traditional healer, her condition worsened. Velonika was referred to our medical partner's care center, Partners in Hope Medical Center, where surgeons noted signs of hyperthyroidism and conducted necessary tests. Her thyroid function tests were normal, and the ultrasound scanning revealed a heterogeneous mass on the right lobe. She was diagnosed with a goiter, the swelling of the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland, located in front of the neck, produces thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Surgery is necessary to address the systems and prevent conditions from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is providing Velonika with the necessary treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 7th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015, and she and her family need help raising money. Velonika shared, "Pains have forced me to come all the way from the village after noting your support. Kindly help me in time since I don't have anyone in town."

Abdeta is a farmer from Ethiopia. He is an 80-year-old father of five sons and two daughters and has farmed with just one eye for most of his life after losing his right eye as a child. For decades, he managed remarkably well on his own. Despite losing his right eye in a sudden accident, he never let anything stop him from working day and night to provide for his wife and kids. Now, a growing cataract in his left eye—his only working eye—is rapidly taking away his remaining sight. Without a clear vision, he can no longer farm or care for himself, making urgent medical treatment essential for him to get his life back. Losing the vision in his only good eye has completely changed his life, taking away his physical independence and daily peace of mind. Everyday activities that used to keep him self-reliant—like farming, walking safely around his home, and taking care of himself—are now dangerous or impossible. Fortunately, on August 1st, Abdeta is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery with the help of our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to raise $150 to fund this procedure. Abdeta is confident that after his surgery, he will return to work fully focused, ready to give it his total attention, and pick up right where he left off. He shared, "My goal is to stop relying on others for help, feel safe walking without fear of falling, and get my life and self-reliance back."

Veha is a 24-year-old internet technician from Cambodia. He lives in Prey Veng Province with his parents and his younger brother, who is in Grade 9. His father works as a construction worker, and his mother is a rice farmer. In his free time, he enjoys helping his parents in the rice fields. In May 2025, Veha sustained a high-voltage electrical burn while repairing internet cables. An electrical flash from a power line caused severe injuries, leaving him with a wound on the left side of his scalp (left temporal region). Despite previous treatment, the scalp wound has not healed properly and has left the skull bone exposed. He also experiences poor balance when standing and walking, making it difficult to work and carry out everyday activities. When Veha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On July 2nd, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove damaged and unhealthy tissue from the scalp wound. This procedure helps clean the wound, reduce the risk of infection, promote healing, and prepare the area for future reconstructive surgery. Veha and his family are able to contribute towards the cost of his treatment, but need help raising $355 more to fund the procedure. His father said, “As his father, I hope this surgery will help his wound heal completely, so he can regain his strength and return to a normal life. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity.”