Silvester is a 63-year-old man who is a retired accountant and now practices small-scale farming with his wife. They have 3 children whom they have managed to educate through farming. They live in a 3-room brick house, with their main source of cooking energy being firewood. For 2 years, Silvester has had a left hydrocele, or swelling in his groin area. The area of swelling has progressively increased in size. He visited a nearby health unit and had some fluid drained out, which helped him to feel healed and normal. After a short while, the swelling reappeared and again more fluid was drained out. He reports mild pains but is very worried about what could happen if the fluid keeps accumulating. Surgery has been recommended and, fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Silvester is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on August 18th. AMH is requesting $170 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Sylvester says, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I will continue with farming with my wife afterwards.”

Meet Pati, a 16-year-old student from Burma. Pati helps his family on the farm and loves to listen to music in his free time. Pati was born with club foot in his left foot that impacts his mobility. Doctors want Pati to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will help doctors with diagnosis and formulating an appropriate treatment plan. Pati is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on April 11th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is requesting $469 to cover the cost of Pati's CT scan and care. Sharing about the challenges he has experienced, Pati said: "I always try to encourage myself, though. I feel happy to receive help from you. After I get treated, I want to study and work in Thailand. In the future, I dream about becoming a businessman.”

Bahati is a 14-year-old girl in grade 8. She is expected to sit for her primary school national exams this year. Bahati is the second born in a family of four children. Her father passed away six years ago. Her mother is the family’s only breadwinner and works whenever she can to get jobs washing clothes for people around her community. On July 4th, Bahati was hit by a speeding motorbike as she was coming home from school. She was left unconscious and rushed to a nearby facility by well-wishers. She had an x-ray and a CT scan that revealed a fractured bone in her right leg. The fracture is affecting her studies and mobility. It is difficult for her to walk, and she cannot ambulate without support. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On July 25th, Bahati will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again, and she can return to school. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Bahati's mother says, “This child is a candidate who should be in school studying. This injury has caused her not to go to school because she cannot walk. We pray that she gets treatment so that she can continue with her studies."