Hope is is a confident and eloquent woman who carries a wealth of stories within her from Uganda. She is a mother and a nurturer to nine children, comprising four sons and five daughters. Despite the lack of emphasis on education during her generation, Hope, driven by a deep sense of determination, ensured that her children received the education she never had the opportunity to attain. Although formal education eluded her, she possesses the ability to read and write, a skill she acquired while educating her children. Hope's life revolves around her role as a farmer. In her free moments, she engages in domestic chores and finds solace in activities like weeding around her home. Her journey has been marked by challenges, including losing her father in 1987. Yet, through her dedication to farming, she managed to provide for her children, shaping their futures with the limited earnings she garnered from her agricultural endeavors. Recently, she faced a distressing health issue—a swelling around her shoulders, accompanied by numbness, paralysis, and pain upon touch. Over the past year, her condition has worsened to the point where she can no longer carry anything by hand. Initially, the swelling was painless, leading her to avoid seeking medical attention. However, as her symptoms intensified, she was brought to the hospital, where a doctor examined her and diagnosed her with a supra-scapular lipoma. On October 10th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Hope needs help to raise $137 to fund this procedure. Hope says, “I hope the pain will be no more; I will be relieved from this and will be able to resume my farming.”

Path is an elderly retired rice farmer from Kampong Cham province. He is married and has four daughters and three grandchildren. They live with their third daughter, who has a mental health disorder and needs their care. Due to her age, his wife no longer work and their daughters support them financially. At home, he likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and visits the pagoda whenever he can. Three years ago, Path developed a cataract in his left eye. His ability to care for his family has been compromised because he finds it challenging to be outside in bright or dim light. When Path learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On June 6th, doctors will performed a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. Following a successful recovery, he will regain his clear vision. However, he currently requires assistance in funding the $253 procedure. Path said: "I hope that after the surgery, my eyes will be able to see better and I will feel happy again. I want to be able to see my family and friends, see the beauty of the world, and worship at the pagoda with joy again."

Jonah is a 7-year-old active and inquisitive primary school student from Kenya. He and his twin sister are the third born in a family of 5 children. His mother is a laborer tending farms and washing clothes for a living, while his father works as a security guard. In June 2019, Jonah slipped into boiling tea. He was rushed to a nearby hospital for first aid after sustaining serious burns on his back, thigh and hand. He was treated in the hospital for several months, but now burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burn. He is unable to hold anything with the affected hand. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Jonah receive treatment. On October 2nd, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery so that Jonah will be able to use his hand with ease again. AMH is asking for $1,500 to fully fund the procedure and medical care. Jonah's mother says, “Jonah cannot use his left hand at all because of the burns. He is only dependent on the right hand. He needs this procedure to be able to use his hand.”