Joseph is a 53-year-old father who practices small-scale farming with his wife. They own a 3-room mud house for shelter. Their firstborn is 30 years old and got married after primary school class seven, while their youngest is 4 years old and in baby junior class. For two years, Joseph has had a hydrocele, or swelling in his groin area. The area of swelling has progressively increased in size. He first thought it was a temporary condition and did not bother seeking treatment. However, it has persisted, and he feels severe pain whenever he is working, making him less productive. Joseph sought treatment and surgery was recommended by his medical team. Fortunately, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. Joseph is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on August 18th. AMH is requesting $170 to fund the surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Joseph shared, “After treatment, I will continue with farming to be able to meet my family’s cost of living.”

Fausta is a 64-year-old small-scale farmer from the Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. She is a mother to four children, including one son who works as a teacher and three married daughters who are also involved in farming. Fausta completed primary school through seventh grade, although she couldn't proceed further due to financial constraints. She now engages in small-scale farming and primarily grows food crops for her family. She sells any surplus to generate income while her husband works as a brickmaker. Fausta said that she enjoys singing and is a member of her church's choir. Ten years ago, Fausta began to experience swelling in her neck as well as hoarseness of voice, shortness of breath, and paralysis of the neck veins. These symptoms have limited her capacity to carry objects on her head and have affected her ability to work effectively. Fausta was diagnosed with bilateral goiter, a type of thyroid swelling. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Fausta receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 11th at AMH's care center. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and Fausta and her family need help raising money. Fausta says, “I hope for a complete recovery once am operated and I also hope I will continue with farming in good health.”

Ruth is an 11-year-old girl from the Eastern region of Kenya. She is in Grade 5 and is the youngest of three children. Her father is a local farmer and her mother mother is a homemaker. They live in a traditional mud house. She is a jovial and social young girl who aspires to become a doctor in the future so that she can help children in need of different treatments. When Ruth was 7 years old, her mother began to notice an unusual knee deformity which greatly affected her mobility. Her walking style is characterized by limping, and she cannot walk long distances. This has greatly affected her studies, as she is unable to attend school which is quite a distance away. Ruth is scheduled for a knee repair surgery with our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) on July 17th. Ruth and her family are requesting $1,224 to fully fund the procedure. This surgery will enable her to walk without pain and to attend school. It will also greatly boost her self-esteem and enable her to interact with her friends at school. Ruth’s mother said, “I am pleading for support for my daughter to undergo surgery and continue with her normal life like other children.”