Meet Anna from Malawi: a 55 year old married mother of two children, aged 38 and 35 respectively. Anna is a business woman, whose husband does piece work in town when he can get jobs to do. Anna was healthy until about 30 years ago, when she started experiencing intermittent swelling above the umbilical area. She didn't think it was important, so she did not seek medical help. Over time, however, the frequency of the swelling episodes increased, and she began to experience discomfort. In 2022, Anna’s condition deteriorated, and she visited different hospitals, where the problem was associated with her raised blood pressure. Due to increased swelling, Anna found that she could no longer conduct her business. In September of this year, Anna visited a private hospital, where a diagnosis of an epigastric hernia was made. Surgical intervention is required. If the hernia is left untreated, it could become strangulated, which can be a life threatening development. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $575 to fund Anna's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled for November 15th, at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Anna looks forward to a successful surgery that will enable her to refocus on her business, so that she can continue supporting her family.

Seng Huor is an eight-year-old 3rd grader. He lives in Kandal province with his parents, who are rice and corn farmers. He loves playing hide and seek with his friends in the village and eating Cambodian noodle soup. In December 2016, a motorbike burned his right knee. At that time, his parents brought him to a local clinic where he was treated with skin grafts and wound care. Since then, scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. He cannot fully bend his knee, making daily activities, including walking, more complex. When Seng Huor's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled there seeking treatment. On June 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the mobility and function in his leg. Now, his needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His parents shared that they are hoping Seng Huor can walk easily again, this is a big hope they share for his treatment and future.

Alven is a hardworking father from Philippines. He is a single father, acting as both parents to his daughter. He has been separated from his wife for 18 years and lives with his siblings. Alven is a maintenance worker and shared that he is known to be a "workaholic". One year ago, Alven began to experience troubling symptoms, including extreme abdominal and back pain. The pain was so extreme, he could not go to work two days a week which has affected his income. In April, he went for a check-up at Ospital ng Paranaque, a general surgery hospital. Alven was diagnosed with gallstones, hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in the gallbladder. Alven has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Alven is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on November 11. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Alven's surgery and care. Alven told us: "This assistance is a big help to me because my income is only enough to support my daughter and is not sufficient to support my surgery. Your help means a lot to me and my family. I hope that you continue to help others because I am truly blessed to be one of your beneficiaries."