Damaris is a tea picker from Kenya. She is 32 years old, the mother of four children, and separated from her husband. Damaris never went to school due to financial constraints of her family. Now, two of her children are in secondary school and two are in primary school. The money she earns is used to pay for her children's school fees and to buy food for her children. Damaris inherited a small piece of land from her parents where she grows maize, sukuma wiki (similar to kale or collard greens), and beans for home consumption. A lump began growing on Damaris's neck in 2004. She has never received any medical treatment due to a lack of money. The mass has grown larger, and now impinges on her nerve, causing occasional numbness in her right arm and hand. While in church recently, Damaris learned that a visiting physician/general surgeon was offering free consultation. Damaris sought an examination. An ultrasound was done, and it was determined that Damaris had a large cystic mass which the doctor recommended should be removed. Surgeons through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can provide the services Damaris needs. She traveled to AMH's care center Maua Hospital and on February 13th, surgeons will remove the mass. Following the surgery, there should be a release of pressure and the numbness and pain caused by the mass should be relieved. Damaris is not able to pay the hospital bill and appeals for support. She is seeking help to raise $529 to fund this surgery. Damaris says, "I kindly request for your support."

Prince is a 20-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He is the youngest of three children in his family. Prince's father tragically passed away leaving his mother to raise her children alone. Prince’s mother washes clothes for her neighbors to support her children. Prince was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Prince has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Prince's mother brought him to Nazareth Hospital. Prince will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 18th. AMHF is requesting $459 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Prince’s mother said, “I hope my husband was alive, I would not be going through all this. I kindly seek help so that at least my son can be treated, and he can grow up in a normal way. I would really appreciate it because I am desperate."

Edina, a 41-year-old mother of seven, works as a vegetable seller, earning about $2.97 per day for her family's upkeep. She finds joy interacting with her customers and has a fondness for chicken and nsima, a Malawian staple porridge made from maize flour. Four years ago, Edina discovered a small, painless swelling on the right side of her neck. After seeking medical advice at a nearby hospital, she was diagnosed with goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. She was instructed to wait for an opportunity for surgery, but her condition has worsened, causing breathlessness, neck pain, and difficulty lifting heavy objects. This has affected her work capacity and resulted in a decrease in income. Inspired by a fellow community member's journey to seek help, Edina visited our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Centre, where a surgeon reconfirmed the need for a thyroidectomy, the surgical removal of all or part of your thyroid gland. Faced with financial hardships, Edina is seeking support for her surgery treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Edina receive treatment. On March 20th, surgeons at PIH will perform a thyroidectomy to relieve her symptoms and help her resume her vegetable business at full capacity. Now, Edina needs help to fund this $1,015 procedure. Edina says, “I feel so fortunate to get the opportunity for support. Thank you so much, I believe surgery will help me get back to normal life."