Angela is a 32-year-old woman from Kenya. She is a single mother to four children between the ages of 4 and 13 years old. Her husband left to marry another woman, and Angela works hard to provide for her children. She was fetching firewood to sell to hotels and homes but became too ill to carry out this work. She also worked in a hotel as a cleaner, but the income was insufficient for their needs. Now, after taking her children to school, Angela stays in the area to carry water and wash clothes for residents. She also receives some financial support from her family. Angela shared that life has been challenging, but she is thankful to be alive and raising support for her treatment needs. Angela first met our medical partner's surgical team during a medical camp they hosted in her hometown a few months ago. During that visit, she was diagnosed with a non-toxic multinodular goiter. Angela’s symptoms began a few years back, including experiencing swelling on her neck and difficulty eating, swallowing, and breathing. She cannot sleep at night and becomes fatigued quickly. Angela needs to undergo surgery to heal and prevent her symptoms from worsening. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Angela receive treatment. On March 16th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $936 to fund Angela’s surgery. Angela said: “Life is so hard, and sometimes I want to give up, but when I remember my children, I encourage myself to keep going only for their sake. When I get treated, I can work hard and provide for them without difficulty. Kindly help me.”

Chea is a 61-year-old tuk-tuk (motorized three-wheeled cab) driver from Kompong Speu province. He is married with two sons, three daughters, and five grandchildren. All of his children work in construction, thus he and his wife help care for the grandchildren during the day. In his free time, he likes to listen to the radio and watch the news. Three years ago, Chea developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus he is unable to travel on his own. When Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant a new lens in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. He said, "I hope after surgery I can see better so I can drive my tuk-tuk again and earn money for my family."

Norah is a small-scale farmer - she had two children but lost her firstborn at the age of 19 due to a heart condition. Her other child is 17 years old and currently in secondary school. She shared that she had to leave her husband because she could not stay in his home district as she always became sick whenever she was there. She now lives with her elderly mother whom she has been taking care of. For two years, Norah has been experiencing lower abdominal pains which she thought would disappear with time in vain. In December 2022, her condition deteriorated. She recently reported to Rushoroza Hospital seeking treatment. She has been diagnosed with multiple intra-uterine myomas. This condition has affected her daily activities making it hard for her to look after her mother properly. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $319 to fund Norah's surgery. On March 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Norah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Norah says, “I hope to live a normal life once again through surgery so that I may be able to take good care of myself and my mother through my farming.”