Mary is a 45-year-old small-scale farmer, living in Uganda. She is a single mother of five, with her first-born 30 years old and her last-born 14. She owns a two-room mud house for shelter and grows sweet potatoes, sorghum, and cabbage on her small piece of land. Six years ago, Mary began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain and swelling in her neck. She recently visited Rushoroza Hospital after being referred by a friend and was diagnosed with a nodular goiter. The neck swelling has continued to increase in size. She experiences fatigue quickly, affecting her ability to work. Additionally, she has experienced airway obstruction and has been told that she needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Mary receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 9th at Rushoroza Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland, a procedure that will cost $333. Mary needs your help to raise the funds to cover the cost of her care. Mary says: “I had lost hope of living a normal life again until a well-wisher referred me to Rushoroza hospital for surgical help under the donor fund. I hope to resume farming comfortably after surgery.”

Sarin is a 60-year-old rice farmer from Prey Vieng province. She has four sons, two daughters and six grandchildren. She lives with her husband who is also a rice farmer. At home, she likes listening to monks pray on the radio or caring for her active grandchildren. Six months ago, Sarin developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty cooking for the family, and feels sad that she cannot go outside to help her husband. When Sarin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On January 2nd, 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 $253 procedure. Sarin said: "I hope after this operation, I will able to plant rice and easily go to anywhere outside again."

Heang is a 68-year-old retired rice farmer with three daughters and seven grandchildren. She lives with her aging husband and her oldest daughter who is a vegetable seller. In her free time, Heang likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and help care for her grandchildren. One year ago, Heang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Heang said: "I hope after surgery I can see better. I hope to recognize the faces of my family and I want to take good care of my grandchildren."