Sr. Justine is a 52-year-old nun from Uganda. She does not have an income through her work and, therefore, needs assistance raising money for her surgery needs. Three years ago, she began to experience troubling symptoms, including persistent swelling on her neck. Additionally, she has difficulty speaking, which has limited her ability to communicate with others. She also becomes easily fatigued, even in minor activities, and experiences difficulty breathing at times. Sr. Justine's condition can lead to severe or fatal airway obstruction without treatment. Fortunately, Sr. Justine was able to visit our medical partner's care center. The doctors diagnosed her condition as a non-toxic goiter, which will require surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. On August 3rd, Sr. Justine will undergo a thyroidectomy, during which surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $252 to fund this procedure. Sr. Justine said, "I will be grateful when my surgery is considered, as it will improve the quality of my life."

Art is a 64-year-old monk from Cambodia. He is currently living in a pagoda in Kampong Cham province. He has one son, three daughters, and five grandchildren. Art said that he spends most of his time at the pagoda studying Buddhism and helping clean the temple. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family. About five years ago, Art developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing blurry vision, irritation, and redness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. These growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage. Art has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. He worries that the condition will worsen if he does not recieve treatment. When Art learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Art needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent his symptoms from returning. The total cost of his procedure is $225. This fee covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Art's procedure is scheduled for June 12th. He shared, "I hope that after surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to read better and join the ceremonies at the pagoda without discomfort."

Thida is a friendly 2-year-old toddler. She has three older siblings, 17- and 14-year-old sisters and a 9-year-old brother. The children live with their rice farming parents in Prey Veng province. While her siblings attend school, she stays home with her mother. She enjoys fried chicken, and likes to watch cartoons on her mother's phone. In 2022 when Thida was learning to walk, she put her right hand in a fire, burning her fingers. She has developed a burn contracture scar on her wrist and fourth and fifth fingers. Children are often at increased risk for serious burn injuries because they have thinner skin than adults. Because of her scars, Thida is not able to use her two fingers or hold anything in her hand. When Thida's parents learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled 2 hours seeking treatment. On August 14th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve her grasp in that hand. Thida's parents are able to contribute towards the cost of the surgery and need help raising $495 to fully fund the procedure. Her mother said, "After surgery, I hope that Thida can hold things and her fingers will look normal."