Mao is a 52-year-old grandmother from Kompong Chhnang province in Cambodia. She is married and has two sons, four daughters, and nine grandchildren. She earns a living by selling packaged food in her local market and her husband is a police officer. In her free time, she likes to watch the news and check her Facebook. Three years ago, Mao developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness 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 Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. on February 9th, Mao will undergo treatment to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. Mao needs help raising the $225 to fund her medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Mao said, "I hope after surgery I can feel better and take care of my grandchildren."

Elithon is a curious and outgoing 5-year-old from Tanzania and a member of the Maasai community. He is the fourth child in his family of five. Our medical partner’s team shared that he loves to talk and was so excited to share about the amazing wild animals he saw on his way to their care center - his favorite being elephants! He also loves the cold weather in the mountains near his home. Elithon could not hide his excitement when he arrived at the care center for treatment. Elithon fell and tripped over a stove with a pot of boiling soup, causing him to burn his right arm. Burn scar contractures have started to develop and tighten the skin around his burn. Consequently, it is difficult for him to stretch and use his hand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Elithon receive treatment. On February 27th, surgeons at AMH’s care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery that will help him use his hand again. AMH is requesting $832 to fund this procedure. Elithon’s mother says: “We are very excited to know that there is a place where our son can get treatment.”

Trust is a mother of three from Uganda. Trust runs her family’s small bar and her husband is a boda boda (motorcycle) rider who transports luggage around their village for a living. Their firstborn is 8 years old and in primary school class two, the second is 5 years old and in primary school class one while the third is 2 years old and hasn’t started school. During her free time, she enjoys taking care of her children. Trust's last delivery was an emergency C-section supported by SAFE in 2021. She is currently expecting her fourth child. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section because of three previous scars. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Trust undergo a C-Section on February 15th. Trust needs help raising the $214 to fund her procedure and care. Trust says, “I pray and hope to have a successful surgery once again. I thank the donor program for the continued support, this being my second time in a row. I will continue to run my family’s bar after recovery for further development.”