Patrick, who is 26 years old, is the fourth of five children in his family, all of whom are subsistence farmers in Uganda. Patrick is a first-year student at Gables Technical where he is pursuing a certificate in plumbing. Following his father's death from cancer in 2020, Patrick was left to care for his mother, who is also a farmer. For two years, Patrick has lived with a left inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain when he walks, lifts heavy items, or when he stands for long periods of time. His friend referred him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Now, Patrick is scheduled for hernia repair surgery on February 14th at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. Patrick appeals for your help to finance the $230 procedure, which will enable him to live more comfortably and confidently. Patrick says: “I hope to fully recover after the planned surgery and with your support."

Kheng is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Kompong Speu province. She is married and has three sons, four daughters, and seven grandchildren. Kheng lives with her husband, who is a palm sugar farmer. She likes to spend time with her grandchildren and pray in her local pagoda. Three years ago, Kheng developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her redness, irritation, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Kheng visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she learned that she needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225, which covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for February 13th. Kheng said, "I hope after surgery I will be more comfortable and can go outside more easily."

Chit Htun is a 21-year-old man from Burma who lives with his mother, two sisters and a brother. His mother is a homemaker, while Chit Htun and his siblings are students. They are supported financially by two aunties and Chit Htun's former teacher. Chit Htun was born with spina bifida as well as hydrocephalus. When Chit Htun was just over a month old, he had a shunt inserted in his brain to control hydrocephalus. In October 202, Chit Htun fell down the stairs in his home and hit his head during the fall. Since that time, he has been experiencing headaches and dizziness with occasional loss of consciousness. Chit Htun's mother brought him to a hospital in Yangon, where he received a CT scans showing that the original shunt was in place. A second shunt was inserted to help with the loss of consciousness, but the headaches and dizziness continued to be a problem. In October 2022, Chit Htun had a seizure, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Chit Htun's mother brought him to Mae Sot Hospital, where he received a CT scan on November 28th, 2022 with the help of Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). The doctor diagnosed Chit Htun with severe chronic hydrocephalus and suspected shunt malfunction. BCMF is now fundraising $1,500 to help cover the cost of surgery to replace Chit Htun's current shunt. Chit Htun's mother shared, "My son and I have been in Mae Sot for the past two months and we are homesick already. I hope that he will receive surgery soon and recover from his symptoms."