Alex is a 50-year-old father from Uganda. He and his wife have 3 children, all of whom are married and self-employed. His wife engages in small-scale farming, primarily producing food for the family's consumption with a small surplus for sale, and Alex manages a small retail shop to support his livelihood and the entire family. For 5 years, Alex has had reducible right inguinal (groin area) hernia and right inguinal swelling. He states that it comes and goes over time and hinders his ability to walk. This has had a negative impact on his work performance in his business and has consequently resulted in a lower quality of life. If left untreated, these symptoms could persist and eventually lead to strangulation. Alex underwent a surgical procedure on the left side of his inguinal region six years ago. Unfortunately, he has now developed a similar condition on the right side. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Alex is scheduled to undergo a hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center on August 8th. AMH is requesting $230 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Alex says, “I cannot afford this surgery but if I get your support, I will have a restored and improved health thus able to continue with my business for a living.”

Medius is a 31-year-old woman from Uganda who needs surgery to heal her hernia. She was able to attend school only up to fifth grade, but at that point, when she was about 10 years old, her parents separated. At the same time, Medius had surgery for a club foot, requiring a long hospital stay. After that, she did not resume school. She now works as a maid for someone who volunteered to take care of her. For the last year, Medius has had an epigastric hernia - a type of hernia that causes fat to push through a weakened area in the walls of the abdomen. At first, Medius experienced abdominal pains that were intermittent. She received treatment but the results lasted only a short while and the pains persisted. Medius now experiences intermittent swelling, which typically appears after eating or performing heavy work. This causes her severe pain. Surgery has been recommended but Medius cannot raise the required funds. Fortunately, on August 26th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $170 to fund Medius's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow Medius to live more comfortably and confidently. Medius says, “I hope to get well through surgery so that I may do my day-to-day duties comfortably again in the future.”

Sok Din is a 13 year-old seventh grader who lives in Takeo province with his parents and two brothers. Both of his parents are rice farmers. Sok Din is one of the top students in his class, and he is hoping to study biology at university. When he was 10 months old, Sok Din burned his hand and lower leg in an accidental gasoline fire at home. Using their savings and borrowed money, the family travelled to Vietnam, so that Sok Din could be treated. Thankfully, the treatment was successful, and Sok Din returned home a few weeks later. Since then, however, scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin on his left hand, limiting his hand's functionality, and making Sok Din feel embarrassed at school. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $495 to fund burn contracture release surgery for Sok Din, which is scheduled for May 18th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. After his surgery, Sok Din and his family hope that he will be able to use his hand more fully, and that he will no longer feel embarrassed at school.