Fausta is a 64-year-old small-scale farmer from the Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. She is a mother to four children, including one son who works as a teacher and three married daughters who are also involved in farming. Fausta completed primary school through seventh grade, although she couldn't proceed further due to financial constraints. She now engages in small-scale farming and primarily grows food crops for her family. She sells any surplus to generate income while her husband works as a brickmaker. Fausta said that she enjoys singing and is a member of her church's choir. Ten years ago, Fausta began to experience swelling in her neck as well as hoarseness of voice, shortness of breath, and paralysis of the neck veins. These symptoms have limited her capacity to carry objects on her head and have affected her ability to work effectively. Fausta was diagnosed with bilateral goiter, a type of thyroid swelling. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Fausta receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 11th at AMH's care center. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and Fausta and her family need help raising money. Fausta says, “I hope for a complete recovery once am operated and I also hope I will continue with farming in good health.”

Htwe is a 61-year-old man living with his wife, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece, in a refugee camp in Thailand. His wife and his brother-in-law are day laborers, while his sister-in-law is a homemaker. His niece is a student. Htwe is currently unemployed. Since 2021, Htwe has lived with an incarcerated inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him discomfort when he walks and pain. It is because of his condition that Htwe has been unable to work. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Htwe's hernia repair surgery, which is scheduled for October 12th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Once he has recovered, Htwe's symptoms should finally be resolved, allowing him to return to work, and to a more comfortable life. Htwe said: "I want to recover so that I can find work to make money for my family. Now we have a hard time trying to make ends meet, as we do not have a regular income. I am the only one that eats without work. Thank you to all the kind people who are supporting my costs."

Srey Mey lives in Kampong Cham province with her parents and older sister. Both of her parents work in nearby rice fields. Srey Mey enjoys science class and hopes to be a nurse when she's older. She studies with her friends and likes listening to pop music in her free time. Since she was little, Srey Mey's parents noticed stiffness in the right side of her neck. A local clinic diagnosed her with torticollis, a twisting of the neck that causes the head to tilt at an odd angle. The family has hoped she would grow out of it, but her condition has not changed. She has a limited range of motion and often feels embarrassed. Fortunately, a friend in their village told Srey Mey's family about the Children's Surgical Centre. Srey Mey and her mom traveled two and a half hours for treatment. Doctors recommend a tendon surgery to restore the range of motion in her neck. Surgery will resolve her head tilt and improve her quality of life. Srey Mey shared, "I hope I can move my neck normally and not worry about this anymore."