39-year-old Florence lives on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. She shared that her husband abandoned her and their three children, two of whom are still in school, while the oldest is currently out of school and unemployed. Florence is now the sole breadwinner for the family, earning a living through sales made in a small shop that she has. About one year ago, Florence began to experience epigastric pains. She went to Mama Lucy Hospital, where she was treated for ulcers. Two months ago, the pain intensified, and began radiating to her back. She was advised to go to a hospital where she could have an endoscopy, and once this test had been performed, it was determined that Florence has a hiatal hernia. If Florence isn't treated, she could face complications, such as severe gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), strangulation of the hernia, and lung problems, since the contents of her stomach might be forced upward into her lungs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is here to help. On October 23rd, Florence will undergo laparoscopic surgery at Nazareth Hospital, to correct the hernia. Now Florence needs your help to fund this $788 procedure. “My children have no one to turn to except myself. Therefore, my good health is very important to them. I am requesting help so that this problem can be solved, and I can take care of my children,'' said Florence quietly.

Doreen is the firstborn in a family of three children, raise by a single mother. She now earns a living through tailoring, which she learned from a friend. One year ago, Doreen began to experience symptoms, including a small painless swelling on her neck, which has grown over time. Currently, she experiences airway obstruction especially while sleeping and when she walks too fast. She can no longer carry a heavy load on her head because of neck pains. In June 2023, Doreen attended a medical camp in Kabale municipal. There, she was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter, or an enlarged thyroid, and was referred to our medical partner's care center Rushoroza Hospital for surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Doreen receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 25th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Doreen says, “I want to look and feel normal again through surgery. I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with tailoring after complete recovery.”

Provia is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She did not attend school as her parents did not believe in education for girls. She later got married, but unfortunately, her husband died some twenty years ago. She was blessed with seven children (four boys and three girls) who did not get an education. She stayed with them until they were mature enough to move out. She practices farming but is struggling due to her illness. About thirty years ago, Provia began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling with on-and-off pain. She applied some local herbs, which minimized the swelling, but the pain persisted, making swallowing difficult. She visited Rushoroza Hospital and was diagnosed with a goiter, and a thyroidectomy was recommended, but she could not afford it. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is helping her to access the care she needs. Provia is scheduled to undergo thyroid removal surgery on November 25 at our medical partner's care center. This procedure cost $333; she and her family need help raising money. Provia says, "I pray for a successful surgery. After complete recovery, I will proceed with my farming."