Juliana is an 86-year-old woman from Lilongwe District in Malawi. She is a mother of three children, who unfortunately did not complete their school studies due to financial constraints. Currently, all three of her children are married and living in their own homes, but are struggling financially. With her husband deceased, Anna relies on the kindness of others for assistance as she is no longer able to support herself in her old age. For a period of eight years, Juliana has lived with a swelling on the right side of her neck that started as a pimple. Presently, Juliana has been feeling pain from the swelling and is unable to carry any load on her head due to severe headaches. She has been to different health centers in search of a solution until she visited our medical partner care center, Nkhoma Hospital. A biopsy was done and she was diagnosed with pleomorphic adenoma, which is is a benign tumour that affects the salivary glands. She has been scheduled to undergo parotidectomy surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Juliana receive treatment. On April 9th, surgeons at Nkhoma Hospital will perform a parotidectomy which will ease her pain symptoms and treat her condition. Now, Juliana needs help to fund this $491 procedure. Juliana says, “I’m looking forward to the treatment, thank you for the support.”

Sovannara is a nine-year-old boy who lives with his parents in Kampong Chhnang province in Cambodia. Both his father and mother work as rice farmers. Sovannara is currently in grade four and particularly enjoys studying Khmer language and history. He aspires to become a teacher. When Sovannara was a baby, fell off a bed, resulting in a neck injury. He has been suffering from torticollis, the twisting of the muscles on the left side of his neck, which leads to tightness and shortening of the muscles. Consequently, Sovannara's head tilts to one side, and one shoulder appears elevated compared to the other. Turning his head to the right is arduous and painful for him. Sovannara has not received any prior medical treatment for his condition, because his parents cannot afford to pay for his care. Fortunately, they were referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for diagnosis and treatment. On April 5th, Sovannara will undergo a procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to release the sternocleidomastoid muscle on the left side of his neck. After the procedure, Sovannara will be able to bend his neck and turn his head without difficulty. Sovannara needs $572 to fund this procedure. Sovannara's father said, "We hope our son will be able to control his neck and can join in daily activities in school and at home."

Mercy is a determined young lady, a sixth born in a family of nine children. Her father is a small scale farmer and her mother a homemaker. She goes to secondary school in Meru County, but is currently behind on her studies due to delays caused by a condition impacting both legs. Mercy was born with a condition known as bilateral genu varum (sometimes referred to as bowlegs), which causes her legs to curve outward at the knees. The condition has greatly affected her mobility. She finds it difficult to walk long distances, she gets tired quickly, and is unable to fully engage in activities with friends. Her self-esteem has been dramatically impacted by constant teasing from her peers, who find her way of walking different. Fortunately, Mercy is scheduled to undergo a surgery called bilateral Proximal Tibial Osteotomy (PTO) at our medical partner's care center AIC CURE International Hospital. The treatment will heal her legs, allow her to walk easily and support her to engage better both in school and with friends. Mercy hopes to become an orthopedic surgeon in order to help other children in the future. “I am looking forward to see my legs being corrected, to live more actively and continue with my education. God bless you for the support,” Mercy told us.