Paul is an elderly man from Uganda. When he was young, he was denied the opportunity to go to school by his parents because they wanted him to look after their cows, goats, and other domestic animals. He shared how they did not value education. Paul's mother died when he was still young, and his father remarried. Paul left his father’s house to stay with his brother. Paul married but had no children. His brother with whom he was staying died and now Paul lives alone in a single room. He is looked after by well-wishers. He still practices farming, with difficulty. Some sixty years ago, Paul's neck began to swell. Over the years, a large mass has grown in his neck. The mass has been diagnosed as bilateral multinodular thyroiditis--lumps in his thyroid gland. This large mass is painful and causes airway obstruction especially while sleeping. Because Paul can no longer fend for himself, his friend brought him to Rushoroza Hospital where he was advised he needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 10th. Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland, removing the large mass and allowing Paul to breathe with greater ease. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Paul receive treatment. This procedure will cost $333, and he needs help raising money. Paul says, “I pray for a successful surgery. I will keep practicing farming after I am well to be able to feed myself.”

Merab is a 30-year-old mother who is married with three children aged nine, six and three. She works as a small-scale farmer. She completed her secondary education but did not get a chance to proceed further due to a lack of school fees. Merab and her husband own a three-roomed house with their main source of cooking energy being firewood. They rely on bodabodas (motorcycles) as the main mode of transport while seeking medical attention which costs them about six to ten dollars round trip, which is high for their family. Three years ago, Merab began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small painless swelling on the front side of her neck, which has grown over the years. She has tried using herbs as treatment with no success and, although painless, the swelling makes her feel inferior while in public and she is worried what will happen in the future if she is untreated. Merab sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter that requires surgical removal. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Merab is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 12th when surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family needs help raising money. Merab says, “I wish to look normal again through surgery. I will continue with farming for the well-being of my family after I recovery.”

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."