Meet Nafissa. She is a 25-year old woman who shared that she tends to be very shy and reserved. She lives with her parents and her young child in an area of Burkina Faso where conflict is currently impacting their lives deeply. When she was a child, Nafissa developed a painful growth on the left side of her chin. This swelling in her lower jawbone affected her ability to eat, and was determined to be a benign tumor that needed to be removed. Her parents were able to secure the funds to send Nafissa to a hospital in Togo, where she could be treated at no cost to her family. The growth was removed, and for several years, Nafissa did well. However, the growth recurred, and in the middle of last year, Nafissa returned to Togo, where the second growth was excised. This time, however, the surgeon determined that her whole jawbone would also need to be removed. As the doctor in Togo did not have the necessary training to perform the surgery that Nafissa needed, he referred her to a physician with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Miraculously, Nafissa is now scheduled for a major jaw surgery with the leading team at AIC Kijabe Hospital in Kenya. As Nafissa's husband abandoned her because of her condition, and provides no support to Nafissa or their child, Nafissa and her parents are looking to you to help fund the $1,500 procedure, which will finally relieve Nafissa of the pain and symptoms that result from the tumor. Nafissa says: “It pains me that I have to stay at home with no friends. Making it worse, I cannot work to provide for my child.”

Chhin is a 73-year-old retired clothes seller from Phnom Penh. Chhin's husband passed away two years ago, leaving her widowed. She has one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. She lives with her youngest daughter, who is a teacher. In her spare time, Chhin listens to the news and prayers from monks over the radio. About a year ago, Chhin developed a cataract in her left eye, causing itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She can no longer see people, colors, or places clearly as the cataract continues to worsen. As a result, she can no longer walk to her local pagoda for prayers and feels lonely and isolated at home. When Chhin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for over an hour to seek treatment. Doctors at CSC were able to diagnose Chhin and create a treatment plan that will help fix her eyesight. On May 9th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to help fund this procedure. Chhin said, "I am hoping to have successful surgery on my eye so that I can easily go out and recognize things, do household chores, and take care of myself and my grandchildren."

Misheck, who is two years old, is the youngest of four children in a family that lives in the Dedza District of Malawi. His parents are divorced, and because his father no longer supports the family, his mother depends on growing maize and groundnuts to provide for her children. For four months, Misheck has been experiencing painful swelling on the right side of his scrotum. The swelling appears when he cries or strains himself. His mother took him to several health centers where he was given medicine, but they did not alleviate his discomfort. His uncle decided to bring Misheck to the hospital for evaluation, where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. Misheck requires surgery, which his family cannot afford. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On May 4th, Misheck will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, which will cost $421. Without this treatment, Misheck faces the possibility of developing life-threatening complications, such as hernia strangulation. His family is looking to you to help raise the funds to cover the costs of Misheck's surgery. Misheck’s uncle says: “I am glad that my nephew will get the help he needs, and I look forward to his full recovery."