Sakhorn is 69 years old and a retired rice farmer from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. He has one daughter, three sons, and seven grandchildren. Sakhorn lives near his daughter, who is also a rice farmer. He likes to listen to the radio and go to the pagoda. About two years ago, Sakhorn experienced a traumatic incident that led to a condition in his left eye called retinal detachment, where the thin tissues at the back of the eye pull away from their usual position. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sakhorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On April 7th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner is requesting $706 to fund his procedure. Sakhorn said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can go out and do housework."

Sisay is a healthcare worker from Ethiopia. At just 26 years old, this young man is a vital heartbeat for the healthcare center where he works. As a key member of the staff, he serves as the bridge between the clinic and the community. At home, he is the pillar for his two siblings, balancing the roles of breadwinner and protector. However, a grueling battle with chronic tonsillitis is slowly silencing the very voice he needs to build his career, and has made it challenging to do his work. Sisay shares how heartbreaking it is when the illness breaks his focus, keeping him from the job he loves. About one and a half years ago, Sisay began experiencing a difficulty in breathing, fever, pain, and exhaustion. Every day is a grueling battle against a searing sore throat, transforming his essential duties, from warmly greeting patients to managing a relentless stream of phone calls, into a profound and painful struggle. Sisay was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Despite the constant pain, he continued to serve at his local health station. He knew a tonsillectomy was necessary, but a lack of specialized doctors and medical equipment in his area kept that relief out of reach. The moment he heard about a new opportunity for care at our medical partner's care center, he was filled with hope. He arrived at Saglan Waje General Hospital, clutching his referral papers, ready for a second chance. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Sisay, which is scheduled to take place on March 7th. During the procedure, surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Sisay of his symptoms, and allowing him to go back to work with ease. Sisay says: "I am so excited for the opportunity to interact freely with my siblings again, instead of just collapsing into bed exhausted every night. I feel ready to truly show up for my patients as well as my siblings, and build the stable, happy future we all deserve together."

Harriet is a 57-year-old mother of two, who lives in Uganda. Years ago, she lost her husband and when life became extremely difficult, her aunt supported her in starting a roadside grocery business where she sells tomatoes, carrots, mangoes, and cabbage. Through this effort, she has been able to sustain her household and support her children’s education. Her eldest child has just completed Senior 6, while the youngest is in Senior 3. She works tirelessly to provide her children with an education so they can have a bright future. Three years ago, Harriet began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling in her neck, difficulty in breathing and swallowing, daily headaches and neck pain, especially when turning her head. She visited a nearby health center where she was given oral medication, and advised to seek care from a larger health facility. However, due to limited finances, she resorted to traditional treatments, including native herbs, which she used for almost a year without any improvement. Recently, Harriet learnt that one of her customers had received surgical care for the same condition she had, at our medical partner's care center, Karoli Lwanga Hospital Nyakibale. The news gave her hope. When her children were home for holidays, she finally had the opportunity to visit the hospital for a review. Harriet was diagnosed with an obstructive goiter, an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland. 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 Harriet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 3rd at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, 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 to fully fund the surgery and her care. Harriet says, “The pain I am going through is too much, my income capacity can’t enable me raise the money needed to cover my hospital bill. I kindly seek your support.”