Maribeth is a caring mother from the Philippines. She's a full-time mom to her three children, while her husband works as a grinder. In May 2022, Maribeth began to experience troubling symptoms, including fatigue, trembling hands, and masses on her neck that were growing in size. These symptoms prevent her from being able to take care of her children and do her daily chores. Maribeth sought a medical checkup, where doctors told her to undergo a neck ultrasound and biopsy. Her results indicated that she is experiencing a multiple colloid adenomatous goiter. This condition occurs when tumor formation occurs, caused by an overgrowth of thyroid tissue cells. Maribeth needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Maribeth receive treatment. On November 11th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at WSFP's hospital. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of her treatment, and WSFP is raising $890 to cover the remaining cost of Maribeth's procedure and care. Maribeth says, "This free surgery is a big help for me because we don't have enough money to pay for my bills. To all the hospital staff who are helping me, to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines, thank you! May God bless you, and may you help more people in need."

Chheng is a 50-year-old construction worker. He is married, and has one son and four daughters. While his son is married, his four daughters remain at home with Chheng and his wife, who works at a local clothing factory. Chheng was in a motor vehicle collision in March 2020. He fractured both his left tibia and left femur, and was treated at a government hospital. Hardware was placed to stabilize the bones and to help the fractures heal properly. Now, the hardware is exposed, and he has an infected wound, causing him constant pain. In addition, he can only walk with the help of crutches. Chheng is concerned that he will be unable to continue supporting his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On October 12th, Chheng will undergo a hardware removal procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which will cost $304. This procedure will help clear the infection and heal the wound on his leg, enabling him to return to work. Now he needs your help to fund the surgery. Chheng shared: "I hope after the hardware is gone, I will heal soon and can walk and work as before."

Victor is a sweet and quiet three-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the secondborn in a family of three children. Victor's mother was recently diagnosed with arthritis and can no longer keep her previous job doing laundry for people. She is currently looking for another job. Victor's father makes and sells mandazi, a form of fried bread, by the roadside to help support their family. When Victor was two weeks old, his mother noticed that both testes were undescended. She took him to the hospital, where he was examined and diagnosed with bilateral undescended testes. He was referred to another facility in Nairobi for treatment. On arrival, he was examined and booked for a clinic. Victor attended clinics for a few weeks. Fortunately, all worked out well for him. In one of the clinic reviews, the testes were found to have descended, and his parents stopped going to the clinics.  However, when he was two years old, his mother noticed that one testis was not detectable. After seeking medical attention, Victor was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Victor has an increased risk of developing testicular cancer and fertility problems in the future. Due to his condition, he is also at risk for hernias. At his appointment, it was found that he has already developed a right inguinal hernia. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo surgery to rectify both of the conditions. Victor will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 25th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Victor’s mother says, “I feel bad that I cannot raise the required amount of money to cater for my son’s treatment.”

Maureen is a small-business owner and a single mom to three children. She moved near the capital city of Nairobi to start her business as a food hawker, cooking and selling Asian, Islamic, and local cuisines. For about ten years, Maureen has been experiencing abdominal pain, headaches, dizziness, and other worrisome symptoms. This condition has made it challenging for her to operate her business. She visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), and doctors diagnosed her condition as cystic adenomyosis. To heal she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, AMH can help Maureen finally heal. On April 29th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at the care center, so she can resume her daily activities free of pain once she recovers. AMH is requesting $755 to fund Maureen’s surgery. Maureen shared, “This condition has affected my normal life, even taking care of my children is a problem, and the doctor told me surgery should be done soon. I am humbly requesting help so that I can be back to my normal self to continue caring for them.”

Askaw is a 47-year-old woman who lives with her father, husband, two sons and her daughter-in-law. Her husband is currently unemployed while her oldest son and her daughter-in-law are farmers. Her youngest son is a day labourer, finding work whenever he can. Askaw is a homemaker and looks after her father who is retired. In her free time, she loves to read, sing, and go to church every Sunday. Toward the end of 2018, Askaw noticed that the vision in both her eyes was blurred. In early 2019, unable to afford seeking treatment at a hospital or a clinic, she purchased eyeglasses for herself at a shop. Although the eyeglasses helped her see better at first, a year later her vision worsened and she could no longer see even with the eyeglasses. She purchased a new pair of glasses, but her vision worsened again. Finally in December she was able to go to an ophthalmologist's clinic with the help and financial support of her brother. After the ophthalmologist examined her eyes, she was told to go to a hospital for further investigation because she likely needed surgery. Askaw's brother knew of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) which could help make her care possible even though it was out of reach financially for their family. Currently, Askaw can see very little in her left eye and she can only perceive light with her right eye. She cannot read anymore, and finds it difficult to pay for items when shopping since she cannot see the money. When she cooks, she will often mix-up the ingredients. She shared that sometimes, when she is alone, she will cry and feels sad about her symptoms. She said, “When I cook, I will mix-up the ingredients because I cannot see clearly. Now I am no longer able to cook and I have also stopped cleaning as it is so hard to clean with my poor vision."

Tereza is a small-scale farmer and a mother to five children. When she was young, she left school after completing primary school class one. Her father died when she was still young, so at the time her family could not proceed with her education and the school fees. Last March, Tereza lost her husband and now she lives in their three-room mud house for shelter. Tereza shared that she sold a pig to be able to raise money to come to Rushoroza Hospital hoping for treatment. Five years ago, Tereza began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small neck swelling that started small but has been slowly and progressively increasing in size. She is worried about the long-run results if not treated on time. She was diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter and the medical team has recommended surgery which she cannot afford. She needs the surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tereza receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on January 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Tereza says, “I hope to look normal again and get rid of my fears of the future outcomes of this goiter. I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with farming to be able to take good care of myself and my family.”

Dara is a 31-year-old truck driver. He's is married with two children - a six-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. His wife works in a shoe factory in their province. When he is home, he likes to play with his children, or play football or volleyball with friends. In October 2020, Dara was in a car accident and fractured his right arm. He was taken to a local hospital in Kampong Speu province for a plate and screws to heal his fracture. Now the hardware makes his arm ache, and he doesn't feel strong or able to use it much. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 6th, Dara will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. Once the hardware is removed, he can strengthen his arm and fully heal. He hopes it will return to the way it was before so he can be useful in his house and help his wife more to care for their children. Dara said: "I know I will have pain again after surgery, but I want the metal out so I can fully heal and have a normal life again."

Poul is a 71-year-old retired rice farmer. Poul is married, and together she and her husband have seven daughters, three sons, and 20 grandchildren. She and her husband live with one of their daughters, who also works as a farmer. She helps take care of her grandchildren, cooks for them, and likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. Three years ago, Poul developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and floaters in her eye. She has difficulty walking and often stumbles. She also has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Poul learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 13th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Poul shared, "I hope to see well again and be helpful to my family. I want to go outside more, visit with my neighbors, cook for my grandchildren, and go to the pagoda to pray with the monks."

Soem is a widow and retired farmer who has three daughters, four sons, and many grandchildren. Her husband passed away a long time ago during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, so she lives with her youngest daughter, who is also a farmer. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and go to the local pagoda. Two years ago, Soem developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. She can only see shadows, and so she doesn't venture outside often. She would like to be helpful to her family but shared that she feels useless because she cannot see well. When Soem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope after surgery I can see well again," says Soem. "I want to see the faces of my family and go to the pagoda by myself."

Komugisha is a farmer and a 47-year-old mother of five children. Her son is a mechanic while her younger children are still in school. She works on her small piece of land together with her husband. She also takes up casual labor on people's farms to complement their income. She shared that she enjoys studying the Bible. For 8 years, Komugisha has had a right inguinal hernia. The hernia causes her pain and weaknesses especially when she does strenuous works, stands for long, or when she coughs. Over time, the pain has severely affected her day to day work. With successful surgery, she will be free from hernia strangulation. Fortunately, on July 13th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Komugisha's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Komugisha says “I will be blessed if funded for the planned surgery. I will be able to continue with hustling for my children since I desire to see them live a happy life.”

Lim is a 73-year-old rice farmer in Cambodia. She has three daughters, four sons and 30 grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys going to the pagoda, participating in ceremonies, and listening to the monk's prayers. Five years ago, Lim developed a cataract in her right eye eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going outside. When Lim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 6th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Lim's husband says, "I saw my wife having eye pain, so I worry about her and I want to her to see better."

Peter is an eight-year-old boy from Kenya. He is outgoing and a bit cheeky. The family of six children relies on their mother’s limited income from peasant farming and their father’s goat slaughtering wage work he gets from time to time. Peter was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Peter has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Peter will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 17th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I want to be a driver when I grow up,” says Peter.