Ashley is a three-year-old boy from Malawi. He is an only child and lives with his single mother. Ashley's mother sold second hand clothes to support their family, but is no longer able to continue to run her business. Fortunately, Ashley's aunt is able to help support their family during this time. Ashley enjoys eating chicken and chips. Ashley started experiencing pains and frequent episodes of swelling around the umbilical area. Ashley's mother bought various pain medications but was never able to bring him to the hospital. In May this year, Ashley finally went to our medical partner's care center where he was diagnosed with a reducible umbilical hernia, a condition where the intestines protrude through the abdominal muscles by the belly button. On June 4th, Ashley will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $575 to fund the remaining cost of Ashley's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Ashley's mother said, “I can’t wait to see my child well again after surgery.”

Ustinah is a 50-year-old farmer and a mother of five children. Born in a family of 16, she has 2 brothers and 13 sisters. Just before joining primary school class seven, her mother had a serious fracture of her leg. Ustinah remained at home nursing her. By the time she recovered, her classmates had moved on to higher levels, discouraging Ustinah from continuing with her studies. Ustinah and her husband grow food crops like beans, maize, and potatoes for home consumption and sell off the surplus to generate an income for the family. Five years ago, Ustinah began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling accompanied by shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and swallowing, numbness, and inability to tilt her neck sideways. She was examined and requested to do a scan and run some thyroid tests. She was diagnosed with a bilateral goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ustinah receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 8th, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Usitnah says, “At times at night, I am unable to breathe. I stay awake until morning, and this has made things difficult for me and affected my health. I believe that with your support, I will be able to undergo my surgery and will get better.”

Almarie is a 42-year-old single mother of three from the Philippines. Almarie works hard to support her children. In the mornings, she works as a laundry woman and in the afternoons, she collects garbage in their community. Six months ago, Almarie began to experience troubling symptoms, including abdominal pain which radiates through her back and lasts the whole day. Even though she was in extreme pain, Almarie did not stop working. She reminded herself her children will not be able to go to school and eat if she does not work. Almarie has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Almarie is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 17th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, but Almarie needs our help to raise $1,128 to cover the remaining cost of surgery and care. Almarie says, "I am very grateful to all of you. You will not only help me, but also my children because I only work and live for them. Thank you for giving me this chance to continue helping my children achieve their dreams. Thank you very much."