A portion of every dollar you spend helps fund medical procedures for people around the world!
Here are some of the most recent people your continued support has been able to impact:
Nhiev is a 56-year-old man from Cambodia. He lives with his 86-year-old mother, and his younger brother in Kampot. About 31 years ago, Nhiev was bitten by a venomous snake on his right foot while moving a block of wood behind his house. He went to a Khmer traditional healer, and although the wound initially healed, it kept reopening over the years. About a year ago, the wound flared up again, causing him pain and producing discharge. It has increased in size, is infected and the bone is exposed. Nhiev is finding it hard to move around, and he is in chronic pain. The medical team has determined that his right foot needs to be amputated because he has a Marjolin ulcer on his right foot - a rare and often overlooked malignancy that can develop in chronic wounds, burns, or scars
"I hope that I won’t be in pain anymore, and will no longer have to worry about my foot’s condition."
Yean is a 54-year-old woman with three children from Cambodia. She lives with her husband, daughter, and son-in-law. For many years, Yean has felt unwell. Despite purchasing medicine from the local pharmacy, her condition has not improved. A relative referred her to Children’s Surgical Centre where she sought treatment, and she was diagnosed with severe chronic sinusitis. Her exam also showed that her right ear is nonfunctional, while her left ear has severe to profound hearing loss. Additionally, the mucosa in her nose is swollen and pale, causing difficulty breathing.
"I hope I will feel better. I want to have better hearing so I can understand my family and friends."
Racheal is a mother of two children from Uganda. She sells general merchandise and her husband helps her with their small business. Racheal delivered her second child two weeks ago at our medical partner’s care center, Rushoroza Hospital. After she was discharged, she went back to the hospital complaining of abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with an intra-abdominal abscess. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I believe I will be operated successful and heal completely."
Abdul, who is five years old, is a brave young boy from Ethiopia. His mother is a housewife, who helps her husband on their farm. Since birth, Abdul has lived with a right inguinal hernia. This condition occurs in newborns and children, due to a weakness in the abdominal wall that is present at birth. Sometimes the hernia or bulge is only visible when the child is performing certain activities. As a result of discomfort from the hernia, a child may become irritable and have a reduced appetite. In infants and children, inguinal hernias are always treated with surgery, to prevent future complications.
"I hope with this surgery, he will heal, be comfortable, and be free of any complications."
Allen is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Allen engages in labor work and grows crops to generate her income. Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling associated with persistent headaches, chest pain, pain in swallowing, labored breathing, and profuse sweating. She was diagnosed with a bilateral multi-nodular goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Allen is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy.
"With surgery, I hope to get better and hopefully will continue with farming in good health to sustain my family because it’s the only hope I am left with to restore my health."
Luch is a 38-year-old potato farmer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Thom province with his mother and two-year-old daughter. Luch was in a motorbike accident and fractured his left femur. He was rushed to a nearby emergency room, where doctors fixated hardware to heal the fracture. The fracture has healed, but the metalwork is uncomfortable, making it difficult to work and walk. Luch will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which should help him feel comfortable and regain his strength and mobility.
"I hope I can feel better because it is difficult for me to lift a bag of potatoes on the farm with the pain in my leg."
Yamikani is a 31-year-old devoted husband and father from Malawi, raising a lively three-year-old. He runs a small rice-selling business in town. Earlier this year, Yamikani faced a tough diagnosis of a reducible umbilical hernia. The pain around his belly button has been challenging, impacting both his health and his business. He is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery. This procedure aims to ease his pain and prevent any further complications, helping him to live more comfortably and confidently once again.
"I came to Partners in Hope Medical Center because I heard it is the best place for treatment. I truly want to get better so that I can continue supporting my family after my surgery."
Sethy is a 44-year-old father of five from Cambodia. He and his wife are farmers, growing potatoes and rice to support their family. Sethy was in a road accident, where his motorcycle collided with a car. He fractured his right leg. Although his wound healed, he was affected with fractured bones and now has a wound on the anterior and medial side of his leg. It is difficult for him to walk without crutches, and he experiences pain while walking. Sethy will undergo a fracture repair procedure that will correct the bone condition caused by the unhealed fracture and help prevent future pain.
"I look forward to walking without crutches soon and want to get back to working on my farm."
Sunilisheti is a two-year-old boy and the youngest of four children. His parents are seasonal farmers. Sunilisheti has clubfoot on both feet. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, which makes walking and even wearing shoes difficult. Doctors will begin clubfoot treatment. After the procedure, he will be able to walk, run, play with his siblings, and wear shoes comfortably.
"Please help my son. I am hopeful that his legs will be okay and he can walk comfortably."
Agustino is a one-year-old boy and the youngest of ten children from Tanzania. Agustino’s father is a livestock keeper, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom who looks after the children. Agustino was born with a clubfoot on his left foot. His left leg is twisted inward and downward, making it difficult for him to stand, walk, and wear shoes comfortably on his left foot. Agustina will start clubfoot treatment.
"I hope my son will be able to accompany his brothers when they go out for walks."
Sophal is a 54-year-old rickshaw driver from Cambodia. He has three children and lives with his wife, his youngest daughter, son-in-law, and his three-year-old grandson. In his free time, Sophal enjoys spending time with his grandson. Sophal was in a traffic accident, injuring his leg. Sophal could not miss work to seek medical treatment, and his condition got worse. As a result, an infection developed in his right knee, causing it to swell. He experiences pain, frequent fevers, and swelling in his right knee, and he is unable to walk or work. Surgeons will perform a debridement procedure to remove infected tissue from his knee joint and help control the infection.
"I hope I can drive a tuk-tuk again and have no pain. I want to support my family and make sure my grandson goes to school."
Im is a 65 year old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. She is married and has six children and six grandchildren. She often listens to monks pray on the radio and likes to visit her local pagoda. Two years ago, Im developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and sensitivity to light. Doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly.
"I hope after surgery I can see better. I want to do more again. I want to go to the ceremonies at the pagoda, and be able to do more at my house to help."
Fausta is a 49-year-old woman from Uganda. For the past four years, Fausta has been experiencing severe bleeding and abdominal pain. After a particularly severe episode, Fausta went to a government facility where she was examined and recommended for surgery. However, she could not afford the treatment. Disappointed, Fausta stayed at home, struggling with her pain. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and an abdominal cystic mass. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus, which will heal her condition. She will undergo gynecological surgery. This procedure is expected to alleviate her symptoms.
"I have all the hopes that one day I will get better, stop bleeding, and join other women in the village. And am sure after the surgery I will again resume to my usual activities of farming. May God bless you and my prayer is to get support."
Anias is a determined and easy-going three-year-old boy from Uganda. For the past two years, Anias has been experiencing a swelling in the scrotal area. His mother first noticed the swelling and took him to see a doctor who diagnosed it as a simple infection, assuring them that it would resolve with oral medication. After following the prescribed treatment, the swelling decreased slightly. However, two months ago, it worsened, causing pain when Anias stands or urinates. He will undergo hydrocele repair surgery, alleviating his pain and allowing him to live more comfortably and confidently.
"It’s difficult for me to see my child in pain, but I don’t have the money for his surgery. I believe that with support, he can undergo the operation and recover."
Juliet is a 44-year-old woman from Uganda. She is married and has six children: three boys and three girls. Juliet practices small-scale farming to sustain her family. Juliet has carried and delivered six pregnancies, but she sustained a tear during the delivery of her firstborn child 25 years ago. The tear did not repair, and she has been experiencing a lot of pain. During her visits to various clinics, they were only able to give her painkillers for her symptoms. Over time, the condition has worsened. She is uncomfortable and cannot walk long distances or engage in farming activities.
"I can’t wait to resume my farming activities with ease."
Alice is a 52-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a mother of eight children, five of whom are still in school. Presently, she works as a small-scale farmer, growing food crops for her family and selling off any surplus to generate income. For a period of two years, Alice has been experiencing on-and-off bleeding, back aches, and low abdominal pain. Due to limited finances, she did not seek medical intervention, but when symptoms became severe, she decided to seek help, where she was examined and diagnosed with a large cervical polyp, an irregular growth in the cervix. Doctors have recommended that she undergo a surgical procedure to help her heal.
"I hope for the best with the surgery treatment, and I know that with your support, I will be able to fully recover."
Makara is a 42-year-old rice farmer from the coastal area of Sihanoukville, Cambodia. He is married and has two sons. His wife also works as a rice farmer. In his free time, Makara likes to check his social media and listen to traditional Cambodian music. About two years ago, Makara developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. Doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye.
"I hope I can feel better about my eyes after surgery. I will be happy if I can see more clearly while I work and helping my family."
Rasy is a 17-year-old garment factory worker. She lives with her parents and younger brother in Kandal Province. Her parents work as fish sellers in the market, and her younger brother is in 4th grade. In her free time, Rasy enjoys watching Cambodian soap operas and eating Cambodian soup. Two years ago, Rasy was in a road traffic accident and sustained trauma to her left lower leg. She was immediately taken to a local hospital, where she underwent fracture surgery and a skin graft on her left leg to heal the fracture and wounds. Now, she is healing, but the hardware and metal inserted to help fix her fracture is causing Rasy chronic pain and difficulty walking. As she lives in a traditional house, it is especially hard for her to go up and down the stairs at home. Rasy will undergo a hardware removal procedure to help her walk better
"I hope my daughter can feel better after surgery. We hope she can walk without pain."
Prince is a 20-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He is the youngest of three children in his family. Prince’s father tragically passed away leaving his mother to raise her children alone. Prince’s mother washes clothes for her neighbors to support her children. Prince was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Prince has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.
"I hope my husband was alive, I would not be going through all this. I kindly seek help so that at least my son can be treated, and he can grow up in a normal way. I would really appreciate it because I am desperate."
Hoeun is a 63-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province. He is married and has one son, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. About one year ago, Hoeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. Hoeun traveled for three hours so doctors can perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye
"I hope after surgery I can see clearly again. I want to be able to grow food around my house to earn money and support my family."
Evelyne is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married and a mother to four children. She grows crops like millet, potatoes, and beans for home consumption and sells off the surplus to generate an income for the family. Evelyne is currently expecting her fifth child and doctors recommend she deliver via a caesarean section because of a high-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"With your support, I believe all will be well. Thank you!"
Sabel is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand, where she lives with her husband and son. In early 2023, Sabel felt a mass in her lower left abdomen. The mass has been increasing in size and is causing her pain. Doctors want Sabel to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which X-ray images, taken from several angles, are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition, and enable them to formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
"I am really looking forward being able to do everything without being uncomfortable. Thank you so much for listening to my story, and thank you to the donors for helping me."
Sreymey lives with her parents in a rural village in Kampong Chhnang province. When Sreymey was just 9 days old, the family house caught fire, causing severe burns to her face and both hands. In 2022, she had surgery at a hospital where a composite graft from her right ear cartilage was used for her nose, but this resulted in a retracted nostril after five months. Currently, her right lower eyelid turns outwards and her right nostril is retracted. Her parents are worried that she is becoming isolated, and that she could face could face social difficulties as she grows up.
"I hope she will feel more comfortable, especially at school.”"
Phanny is a 64-year-old vegetable farmer from Kampot province, Cambodia. About six months ago, Phanny developed a cataract in her right eye, causing photophobia or a sensitivity to light, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is unable to go places on her own.
"I hope I can feel better about going outside by myself and I can read again."
Edgar is a 14-year-old boy from Uganda and the youngest in his family of five children. Edgar is in primary school class five, but due to his experience of severe abdominal pain, he has not attended school for his second term. He stays home and, as he cannot do any intensive activities, he has been losing weight and becoming weaker. For six months, Edgar has had an umbilical hernia that is causing him severe pain. His mother brought him to a clinic where he was diagnosed with typhoid. Since then, Edgar has been taking medication for typhoid but has not seen any improvement. He will undergo a repair procedure that will allow him to live more comfortably.
"I thank God for the life of my child. I hope that my child will have a successful surgery and he will be able to go back to school and continue with his studies."
Sr. Maria is a Catholic nun. She works as a cashier at Nyakibale Hospital but according to the principles of the congregation, she doesn’t receive personal payment. Her pay goes to the congregation. About 20 years ago, Sr. Maria began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling associated with shortness of breath while sleeping, coughing while eating, and airway congestion. She was diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter, an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I hope that when operated, I will get better."
Ruth is a student from Uganda. For two years now, Ruth has had a swelling below the right foot which causes her severe pain whenever she is walking. She feels numbness, paralysis, and discomfort. Due to limited finances, she has never been to the hospital but when symptoms became severe, she came to seek treatment. Doctors found a mass on her foot and recommended she have surgery.
"I hope to be relieved from all the pain I have been with and hope to continue with my studies well and in good health."
Chanthou is a 35-year-old father of three from Cambodia. In June 2022, Chanthou was hit by a falling tree branch, fracturing his left upper arm. His arm continued to be swollen and painful, and they eventually had to use all of their savings for surgery at a nearby clinic, where he had an open reduction and internal fixation of his fracture with medical hardware to stabilize the bone as it healed. He now needs to return to work but his left arm is weak. He feels discomfort and a chronic ache, limiting his ability to find a good job in construction. Chanthou will undergo a hardware removal procedure to improve mobility and functionality. The hardware was initially used for stabilization, and now that the bone has healed, the hardware is no longer necessary.
"I am hoping my arm will be strong so I can work again. I want to go back to construction to support my family."
Kan is a loving grandmother from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is an 82-year-old retired rice farmer with five children and thirteen grandchildren. About one year ago, Kan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own.
"I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself and go to the market on my own."
Soknov is a 25-year-old chicken farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and a younger sister. On August 2021, he was in a road traffic accident that resulted in a fracture of his right leg. He was taken to a nearby hospital where metalwork was placed on his femur and tibia. However, there are signs of infection, the fracture has not healed, and he is unable to walk without crutches. He is in chronic pain and unable to work.
"After surgery, I hope I won't be in pain anymore. I am hopeful that I will be able to find a new job with better income to support my family. "
Yuth is a 65-year-old rice farmer from Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He is married with seven children, and currently lives with his wife, one of his children, and her spouse. A week ago, Yuth discovered an ulcer in his mouth that has been getting larger, causing difficulty in speaking and eating. He has been experiencing pain, redness, swelling, and purulent discharge. He is concerned that it may be cancerous.
"After the surgery, I hope the mass will disappear, and I will no longer experience the pain and swelling in my mouth."
Linn is a 29-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his siblings and works at a store with his younger brother. Linn has been experiencing persistent back and chest pain, affecting his ability to perform daily tasks. Based on earlier tests doctors diagnosed him with large renal stones and recommended the need for surgery. For the doctors to formulate an appropriate treatment and surgery plan, they need Linn to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which X-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to receive support from BCMF. Without their assistance and the generosity of donors, I would not be able to afford the necessary treatment."
David is a husband and father of two from Cambodia. David suffered an accident that made him unable to work, so he stays home to watch the children and likes to check the news on his phone in his free time. In December 2022, David suffered an electric shock and subsequent burns while working on an electric cable. As a result, he developed scars on his lower limb, a flexion contracture of his right knee, and wounds on his right ankle and thigh. It is difficult for David to walk without a crutch or wheelchair, and he is in pain.
"I hope I can walk again without pain or swelling and return to work to support my family."
Julian is a mother of seven children. Julian is a farmer and grows beans, bananas, and maize for home consumption. She sells off the surplus to generate income for the family. For three years, Julian has been experiencing severe bleeding. She is always in pain, experiencing lower abdominal pain, backache, and has lost weight. She was admitted to the hospital and received a blood transfusion. Julian was diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesion. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.
"I hope for good health after surgery so I can go back to the farm once I fully recover. "
Elijah is a ten-year-old boy from Uganda. Elijah was recently diagnosed with a strangulated umbilical hernia. It started as a painful umbilical swelling that prompted the grandmother to bring him to the hospital. Elijah needs surgery, but they are not able to pay for it. Fortunately, Elijah will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
"I hope my grandson will have a successful surgery. After full recovery, he will live a comfortable life and resume his studies. May God bless you."
Mao is a 67-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She has four daughters, two sons, and 15 grandchildren who all help in caring for, and supporting her. About a year ago, Mao developed a cataract in her left eye, which is a clouding of the lens of the eye, like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. The condition has resulted in tearing and blurry vision in the affected eye, and Mao no longer ventures out of the house alone, as she is unable to see clearly, and is worried about tripping and falling from the traditional stilt house steps near the river.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see better to take better care of my grandchildren and help to care for my daughter’s home."
Khorn is a 54-year-old father of four and a rice farmer. He lives with his wife and youngest son. Around four years ago, Khorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to have watery eyes, headaches, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces.
"I hope I can see clearly and well in the future. It is so hard for me to work and take care of my family."
Allen is a 25-year-old mother from Uganda. Allen enjoys cooking, cleaning, and taking care of her family. Allen came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), complaining of a swelling on her left thigh. For two years, Allen has found it uncomfortable to walk and the swollen area is painful upon touch. She experiences paralysis whenever she sits or stands for long. At AMH, Allen was examined and diagnosed with a neurofibroma, a type of peripheral nerve tumor. It was recommended that the neurofibroma be excised.
"I’ve been in pain for the past two years but am hopeful that with your support, I will be operated on and will get better."
Beatrice is a friendly, outspoken, and determined woman from Uganda. She separated from her husband fifteen years ago, leaving her to care for their two sons and one daughter. Over six years ago, Beatrice began to experience troubling symptoms, including an anterior neck swelling. The doctors had her undergo a thyroid test and diagnosed her condition as a giant goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. Beatrice needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I am hopeful for a successful surgery, and I will continue with my business in good health after I have recovered."
Nyi is a 22-year-old man from Thailand. He lives in the monastery with two other monks. He helps the monk with cooking, cleaning, and looking after the monks. He receives free food and free accommodation. He has no income but has enough food. Nyi started experiencing some headaches and blurred vision. The doctor told him there might be a tumor that is causing his blurred vision, the doctor then recommended he undergo a CT scan to confirm his diagnosis and make the best plan for his care.
"I want to recover and get a job so that I can earn money for my living."
Ruth is farmer from Uganda. She’s 36 years old and a mother of four living children one boys and three girls. She and her husband do small scale farming so as to sustain their family. Ruth has a history of miscarriage and high risk deliveries so her doctors recommend a C-section. This way, the team can best ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I hope to get back to my fields after delivery."
Mattana is an only child and lives with her parents in Kampong Speu province in Cambodia. Mattana was born with cerebral palsy, which affects her ability to move around and requires her to use a wheelchair. sing a wheelchair also increases her risk of pressure sores on her skin. In addition to her mobility challenges, she has a learning disability, is primarily non-verbal, and does not attend school. Because Mattana’s condition is difficult to treat, she was referred by a national children’s hospital to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. Surgeons have determined that she would benefit from correction of her muscle spasticity - the abnormal increase in muscle tone or stiffness of muscle. This will eventually help her to stand and walk.
"I hope my daughter feels better after surgery and can go to school like other children."
Eng underwent treatment for his cataract to regain independence. Eng realized he needed to do something about his failing vision. At our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), he had a successful surgery and returned home the following day. Eng is excited that he can recognize faces, go outside, and be more active as his vision continues to improve. Eng will feel more confident out in the sun or in low light. His life will be better because he has newfound confidence and independence.
"I am so happy we can go home and he will be able to do things independently."
Roeun underwent surgery to repair his ruptured ear drum to improve his hearing. At the suggestion of a local clinic, Roeun traveled three hours for a consultation and surgery to correct his hearing difficulties. After recovery from a successful surgery at the hospital, Roeun was able to return home. The surgery will help Roeun live more comfortably and improve his hearing and communication. Roeun looks forward to manage his farm and play chess.
"I am glad the doctors performed successful surgery and explained what I should do after the operation. Now I can hear well and have no more headaches."
Racheal is a student from Uganda. She is pursuing a diploma in public administration at Kampala International University in her final year. Six months ago, Racheal began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty breathing, and her speech has changed as she no longer speaks in a high tone. She reports easy fatiguability even with small activities. There is disfigurement over her neck, causing discomfort and making her worry about her progress. She also reports a high appetite and a high metabolic rate with decreased weight. As a student, concentrating is difficult for her, as her peers laugh at her. She was diagnosed with Thyroid goiter. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I am unable to raise money for the surgery since my parents too are financially unstable, and I kindly appeal for your support to restore my health for a better life as I complete my course."
McDonald is a 70-year-old married man from Malawi. He has 12 children who are all married. Eight months ago, McDonald experienced painful and reduced urination. He visited the nearby hospital, where he was given drugs to no avail. He found temporary relief when the medical staff placed a catheter in January, and they advised him to visit Nkhoma Hospital for further evaluation. McDonald was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, and doctors recommended prostate removal surgery. If the condition is left untreated, he may have recurrent urinary tract infections and may have to live with the catheter.
"The catheter is so painful and is giving me sleepless nights. I hope to finally find peace after treatment."
Than is a 30-year-old mother of two from Thailand. In early 2023, Than began experiencing occasional bleeding and discomfort. She was diagnosed with carcinoma, a type of skin cancer and underwent two surgeries followed by six months of chemotherapy. Her doctor wants to perform another CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images are taken from several angles to produce a cross-sectional image to assess the status of the cancer post-surgery and to check for any signs of cancer spreading.
"I’m hopeful that the CT scan shows no remaining cancerous tumors. Thank you, Burma Children Medical Fund, for your invaluable assistance."
Lambert is a three-month-old baby boy who lives with his parents and five-year-old sibling in Uganda. His parents are both farmers. Shortly after his birth, Lambert was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia, which needs to be surgically repaired to relieve him of the pain he is experiencing.
"I hope my son will have a successful surgery so that he can live a good quality life."
Allen is a 60-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. She lost her husband fifteen years ago and raised their six children on her own since his passing.Thirty years ago, Allen began to experience troubling symptoms, including a growing anterior neck swelling that caused pain. She has also been experiencing respiratory issues affecting her productivity. She was diagnosed with multinodular thyroiditis
"I hope for a quick recovery, and after my complete recovery, I will resume farming."
Mao is a 60 year-old grandmother. She has two sons, two daughters, and fourteen grandchildren. Sadly, her husband passed away from lung cancer four years ago, and Mao has since moved in with her youngest daughter. Around one year ago, Mao developed a cataract in her right eye-a clouding of the lens of the eye. This causes Mao to have blurry vision and difficulty keeping her balance.
"I hope I can see my daughter and our family better after eye surgery. I want to be more useful around our house too."
Shiba is a humble and gentle-speaking lady from Uganda. She is a mother to one child delivered via cesarean section in April 2022. She is currently expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section because of her higher risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I have faith that if I get your support, I will be able to deliver all successfully."
Htein is a seven-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, sister and two brothers in the village in Karen State Burma. Htein had an ultrasound on August 24th at a clinic for abdominal pain and discomfort. The results showed that Htein might have stones or cysts in his kidney that were causing a chronic infection, but the results were unclear. Doctors want Htein to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
"It is so painful. I would like to get better as soon as possible.” Htein’s mother added, “When we heard that my son’s condition cannot be cured with medication, my daughter and I cried because we realized that we could not afford the expensive treatment cost. We thought that we would lose him. The medic there told us that they would be able to help us with transportation so that reduced our stress, but we were still worried. After we met with Burma Children Medical Fund and learned that there would be donors to support us in accessing treatment for Htein, I was so relieved. I was so happy to hear that the donors would help us. Burma Children Medical Fund will make us stronger again with my son’s treatment. There are no words except thank you. We are grateful and never expected such help."
Alfonso is a 69 year old farmer from Uganda. He is the father of seven children. Married for nearly 46 years, Alfunsi spent over two decades working in Buganda, doing casual labor. Alfunsi sought medical attention when he began experiencing abdominal pain, backache, episodes of constipation, and pain while walking—symptoms persisting for almost a year. Due to financial constraints, he had refrained from seeking medical intervention until the symptoms worsened. After examination, a scan revealed the presence of cyst in his abdomen. The doctor recommended a curative laparotomy for his condition.
"All I wish for is good health. I am hopeful that with your support, I will be able to undergo surgery and will surely get better."
Chhorn is a retired rice farmer. He and his wife live in Prey Veng province, and their three daughters, four sons, and 13 grandchildren live nearby and support their living. Three years ago, Chhorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He has a hard time recognizing his grandchildren and is distressed that he cannot go out in the bright sunlight.
"I hope after surgery I can easily go out. I want to visit the pagoda again on my own and not be afraid I will fall."
Bonny is a 41-year-old woman from Uganda. At the age of 15, she got married. She has no history of any pregnancy-related disorders and attended antenatal care at Bwona Health Center. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently expecting a baby. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section because of her higher-risk pregnancy. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I hope to have your support to have a successful delivery and stay in good health."
Travis is a very active toddler in a village in Kiambu County. He is the first born in a family of two children. About seven months ago, his mother noticed Travis’s testes were not in their normal place. She took him to the hospital, and a scan was done, showing undescended testes on both sides. In July, he had an orchidopexy - a surgery that moves the undescended testes correctly into place, but unfortunately, his condition has reoccurred.
"We are worried that the operation has to be done again, but we hope our son will receive sponsorship so that he can go through this treatment for a better future. Being the firstborn, we have our eyes and hope on him."
Mkombero, who is 60 years old, lives with his wife and grandchild in Lilongwe District in Malawi. Mkombero has struggled with symptoms for a year. He has visited different health centers seeking help, and in an effort to find a solution for his condition, he went to our medical partner’s care center, where he was advised to have open prostatectomy surgery. Because he has been unable to work as a result of the pain from the catheter and his condition, Mkombero cannot afford to pay for the surgery.
"I hope to receive treatment and to be free from this condition at last."
Ravy is a 32-year-old construction worker. He and his wife live in Phnom Penh province, and they have two sons. In September 2023, Ravy fell off his motorbike and hurt his left hand. He visited a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his hand remains swollen. He cannot extend or flex his wrist, and he has chronic pain. This injury makes it impossible for him to work to support his family.
"I hope after surgery, I will have no pain and I can use my hand to work again."
Silvester underwent hernia repair surgery so he can return to farming. Silvester’s surgery was a success! He is relieved to have undergone treatment and hopeful that he will live an improved, worry-free life! He will resume farming upon his recovery.
"I thank the donor program for funding my surgery. May God bless you."
Simeng is a 21-year-old welder. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his wife, one-year-old daughter, and mother-in-law. In March 2021, Simeng was in a motorbike accident and fractured his left femur and tibia. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in chronic pain. Since the accident, he has barely been able to work.
"I hope I can have surgery so that I can walk again and return to working full-time."
Porheang, a 41-year-old custodial worker from Phnom Penh, lives with her mother. During her free time, she finds enjoyment in watching Cambodian soap operas. Around three years ago, Porheang had an ear infection. This infection caused her left ear’s tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Porheang experiences pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others as she used to and frequently spends her limited money at the pharmacy for medications that do not work long-term.
"I hope I can feel better and hear my friends and family."
Hilda is a small businesswoman from Uganda. Hilda is raising her children on her own now and has a small grocery store to support her family. Hilda is the family’s breadwinner and cannot get the money needed for her surgery. She is currently expecting a new baby. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section because of her high risks. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I hope to have a successful delivery with a healthy baby. After surgery and recovery, I will continue running my grocery shop."
Naw Moo is a 27-year-old woman from Burma who has lived with her husband, parents-in-law, two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law in an internally displaced person camp in Karen State for the past five months. They receive donated rice and dry goods occasionally, but it is not enough to cover their daily needs. Around the end of July, Naw Moo started to experience light pain in her right lower abdomen which only stopped temporarily with painkillers. An ultrasound revealed that she has a mass beside her right ovary.
"We cannot go home to our village and now I am also sick. I feel sad but there is nothing I can do. I hope that I can receive treatment so that I can go back to the camp and find work to help my family generate an income."
Richangel is a 65-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is also a retired grade five teacher. For five years, Richangel has had a hernia. Currently, he feels pain when he lifts heavy objects and when he stands for a long time. He had gone to another health facility for care, but he lacked funds for surgery. He visited Rushoroza Hospital and again surgery was recommended but he still cannot afford the costs. Fortunately, on December 6th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
"I believe the surgery will be successful with a positive outcome for me and my family. After my recovery, I will be able to keep farming."
Mean is a 26-year-old taxi driver who needs surgery on his leg. In his free time, Mean likes checking his social media and spending time with his friends. In January 2019, he was in a traffic accident that caused a fracture in his left thigh bone. He went to an emergency clinic and doctors implanted metal hardware in his leg to heal the fracture. Now, the bone is healed and the metalwork is causing pain and limiting his mobility. It is often difficult for him to sit long periods in the car for work.
"I hope that I won’t have pain anymore and won’t need to worry about the metal hardware or infections."
Shwe is a 54-year-old father from Thailand. Shwe resides with his wife and two daughters. In 2013, Shwe began experiencing occasional back and lower abdominal pain, accompanied by blood in his urine. Following a medical evaluation, he was diagnosed with bilateral kidney stones.
"I am very worried that I need to have surgery. It is very stressful, and I feel depressed. When I learned that BCMF would help me to cover my surgery treatment, I felt very happy and relieved. I want to thank all the donors."
Mary is a single, 24-year-old woman from Uganda. She holds a diploma in procurement and logistics but has not found a job in her profession. Instead, she works in a supermarket as an attendant. Two years ago, Mary started suffering from a swelling in a sensitive area. The mass is large and growing in size, which leaves her feeling uncomfortable and in pain.
"I hope I will be relieved from all the pain I have been having all this time."
Art is a 64-year-old monk from Cambodia. About five years ago, Art developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing blurry vision, irritation, and redness. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. These growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage. Art has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. He worries that the condition will worsen if he does not receive treatment.
"I hope that after surgery, my eye will improve and I will be able to read better and join the ceremonies at the pagoda without discomfort."
Richard is a 32-year-old farmer from Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. For a year, Richard has had a left inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Richard has swelling in his groin area, and the swelling intensifies when he farms, lifts heavy objects or sits for a prolonged time. This has significantly impacted Richard’s quality of life, preventing him from attending to his farm as he did before. Richard no longer farms and struggles even with light activities.
"I appeal to you for support because my health is really in a bad state. Doctors say I can only survive by surgery, yet I have nowhere to get the money needed."
Jemima is a 48-year-old woman from Kenya. She operates a small food kiosk within the village. Approximately two years ago, she began experiencing a concerning health issue. Her right breast started oozing discharge. Despite being prescribed medication, there was no improvement. Consequently, a surgeon decided to schedule her for excision of the infected mammary duct.
"I have been terrified. My previous treatment did not improve my situation. I kindly ask for your help to fund my surgery."
Fred is a three-year-old baby and the first-born child of his mother. He is currently being raised under the care of his grandparents. For three years, Fred has had a right inguinal hernia. He developed an on-and-off inguinal swelling and was taken to the nearby health unit where he was given medication which assisted him only for a short while. He cries very much when the swelling is on and cannot feed comfortably. His grandmother is seeking treatment for his grandson so that he may be able to start school. She cannot afford the surgery and has no support from her daughter and her daughter’s husband. A herniotomy has been recommended.
"I pray that my grandson gets well with this surgery so that he can start school as he grows up."
Cosma is a builder. He is married with three children and studied up to primary school class seven. Cosma developed a small internal mass in a sensitive area two years ago. It later started to irritate and is now painful. He did not visit any healthy facility until he came to our medical partner’s Rushoroza Hospital where a mass excision surgery was recommended but he could not afford the surgery costs. His major worry is what could come out of this if not treated because it is now affecting his urinary system.
"I believe that I will be able to live life without being worried about my health and I will continue with my job as a builder."
David is a determined, sociable man in his 60s, standing tall despite life’s challenges. An orphan, David faced financial constraints and did not receive an education past primary school. For two years, David has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. The condition worsens with any physical activity, hindering his ability to work on his farm. Fortunately, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery on October 4th at our medical partner’s care center.
"I am the bread winner to my family; in such poor health, I can do nothing to sustain my family, but I hope with your support I will get well and resume farming in good health."
Visal is a 20-year-old restaurant cook who lives in Phnom Penh with his grandparents. In August 2023, Visal was in a motorbike accident and fractured his right tibia. He was seen at a clinic near his home, but only given painkillers and wound dressings. Since then, the fracture has not healed. He is unable to walk or work, and he is in chronic pain.
"I hope my leg can heal so I can go back to work and help support my grandparents."
Joseph is a 71-year-old small-scale farmer. He is married and has nine children, two sons and seven daughters. Two years ago, Joseph started noticing symptoms that hindered his ability to work, such as lower abdominal pain, vomiting, and a full stomach after eating and pain when lifting. He was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia.
"I hope to get well, have good health, and continue with my activities, mostly farming in good health again."
Sr Maria is a catholic nun from Benebikira sisters from Rwanda and has been a nun for 25 years. One year ago, Sr Maria began to experience troubling symptoms, including a neck swelling. This causes her difficulty in breathing, shortness of breath, pain in swallowing, and profuse swelling whenever she does an active role. She was diagnosed with nodular goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I hope to get well again. I want to feel well and myself with a full recovery and healing."
Marion, who is 31 years old, lives in Uganda. When financial constraints prevented her from continuing her education, she married, and took up small scale farming with her husband. Together, Marion and her husband have three children, all of whom are in school. Marion is currently expecting her fourth child. Because all of her previous children were delivered via Caesarean section, her doctors are recommending that Marion deliver via a C-section so that they ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I will be glad when I am treated under your care so that I can deliver my baby safely, and later resume my farming for a living."
Allen is a 24-year-old woman from Uganda who runs her family’s retail shop. Allen has swelling on her upper right arm. The mass appeared seven years ago but has slowly increased in size over time. She also experiences pain when she does strenuous work, which can get so bad that her hand becomes paralyzed and unable to hold things. This often happens when she is washing clothes.
"I hope to get well so I can work better and take good care of my kids. I want to continue to run my family’s shop."
Sean is a 66-year-old rice farmer from Kampong Cham province in Cambodia. Five years ago, Sean developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places alone.
"I hope I can see well soon so I can do more on my own again."
Daphine is a 29-year-old tall, humble, respectful, and calm woman hailing from Rukungiri district in southwestern Uganda. About 3 years ago, Daphine began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling, leading to shortness of breath, difficulty in breathing, and pain while swallowing. These symptoms prevent her from carrying objects on her head or engaging in any strenuous activities, as she quickly becomes fatigued. Recently, her symptoms worsened, compelling her to consult a doctor. She was diagnosed with multinodular goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I hope that once treated, I will be able to breathe well and will be relieved from all my other symptoms."
Thakea is a 32-year-old man from Cambodia. When Thakea was two years old, he fell out of bed and burned his right arm in a wood-burning fire. The scar has never healed well and has continued to grow larger. Doctors have done a biopsy and determined that Thakea has squamous cell carcinoma. He is in pain, his right arm is swollen to his axilla (armpit) and he has foul-smelling discharge from the chronic wound.
"I hope the cancer will not return and I can be healthy again."
Shallon is a 36-year-old small-scale farmer and mother from Uganda. She completed her education through the sixth grade before dropping out due to persistent illnesses. She is currently expecting her fourth child. Shallon loves being with others, and during her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. Due to risks from her previous pregnancies, Shallon’s doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I pray for a successful delivery and a healthy baby. I will return to my husband and be able to proceed working and farming after I give birth."
Sokim is a 26-year-old who lives in Kampong Speu with her parents. Last year, Sokim began experiencing discomfort from continuous congestion in her nose. The congestion also caused headaches which kept her awake even at night and prevented her from breathing well. When none of her symptoms improved, she visited a local Khmer healer, however, nothing from the healer has helped her.
"I would like to go back to my life without headaches and finally be able to breathe easily and do so much more each day. "
Jemimah is the third born in a family of 4, and two of her elder siblings are in school. They are not able to raise sufficient money for daily upkeep and medical bills. Despite hardship, their family has big dreams. Jemimah’s father wishes that she will become a lawyer when she grows up. Since birth, Jemimah has had an umbilical hernia. She did not have any pain earlier, but lately, the umbilicus has become painful. She was reviewed at Nyakibale Hospital, and doctors recommended surgery.
"My child’s condition is worrying but I hope that once operated on, she will be better and grow up without any health issues."
Sai is a 26-year-old man from Burma. He currently lives in a dormitory in the Internally Displaced Person (IDP) Camp in Shan State, Burma. He moved into the IDP camp in 2018 after joining the army. In 2019, Sai was shot in his right upper thigh close to his hip. He received first aid and then was taken to Mae Hong Son Hospital where he received an x-ray and was diagnosed with a fractured hip. Sai was in the hospital for a month before he was discharged. Although he received treatment, his hip never recovered. He continues to experience pain in his hip, has difficulty sleeping, and can only walk with crutches. Sai is currently unemployed and cannot perform his favorite activities due to his injury.
"If I get surgery, I hope that I will be able to work again like before [once I recover]. I want to recover, and I want to look after my elderly parents."
Lon is a 69-year-old retired rice farmer from Kampong Thom province. She and her husband have four sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren, who bring them a lot of joy. About six months ago, Lon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She does not see well and is unable to enjoy her life due to limited vision.
"I hope that after surgery, my eyesight will improve and I will be able to do the things I love again. I want to be able to recognize the faces of my family and friends, do housework, and join ceremonies at faraway places."
Prosper is a ten-year-old second-grade student from Uganda. About three years ago, Prosper’s mother noticed that he only had one visible testis while bathing him. Prosper’s parents thought his difference would resolve on its own, and did not seek treatment at the time. One year ago, Prosper also developed swelling in his right inguinal region. When his parents noticed, they took Prosper to a hospital, but Prosper’s appointments were routinely postponed and his parents felt that he didn’t receive proper treatment. Prosper was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia and undescended testis. Now, Prosper’s condition has worsened. He continues to experience swelling as well as severe pains, especially during hot weather. He can no longer play with his friends comfortably.
"I pray that my son gets treatment because I have struggled with him for a long period in his condition. I believe he will comfortably proceed with education after complete recovery."
Sun is a loving grandmother from Svay Rieng province in Cambodia. She was a farmer for many years, but now, at age 75, she is retired from farming. Sun is married, has one daughter, and three grandchildren, who are the most important people in her life. She and her husband live with their daughter who is a grocery seller. At home, she likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Sun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I can go out, take care of myself for the better, and help my daughter more with all of the housework."
Kevin is a 12-year-old student and the third child of four in his family. He is currently in the fifth grade and is known for his active participation in class. Kevin has had trouble with his digestive system since he was born, but his symptoms had resolved about 5 years ago. Unfortunately, two months ago, Kevin began to have issues with his digestive system again. His stomach became swollen and he was unable to pass his food through the digestive tract. An exploratory surgery led to him being diagnosed with an intestinal obstruction due to Hirschsprung’s disease. The surgery was successful, but it placed a financial burden on Kevin’s mother, who had to take a loan to cover the costs. He now needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse and reverse his colostomy.
"I pray my son gets another surgery successfully. He will resume school after complete recovery for a bright future."
Timothy is a sweet 4-month-old baby from Uganda. His mother sells porridge, while his father is a barber, and they rent two rooms for additional income. Two months ago, Timothy began to experience troubling symptoms. His bowel movements were infrequent before stopping altogether, and his stomach started increasing in size slightly. Timothy would cry for extended periods before falling asleep from exhaustion. Concerned about her son’s condition, his mother sought medical attention at our medical partner’s care center. The doctors diagnosed Timothy’s condition as an intestinal obstruction, and he needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from worsening.
"I pray my son may get well through surgery. I believe that a brighter future lies ahead of him. He will start school once the right time comes."
Immaculate is a small-scale farmer. She is a confident and outgoing woman with a tall stature. She is a mother of four children, all currently studying. Immaculate and her husband engage in small-scale farming on their modest plot of land. For four years, Immaculate has been experiencing profound weakness and a strong aversion to walking. She suffers from lower abdominal pain and backaches. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.
"I hope the pain I have will cease once I am operated on."
Bunnarith is a 35-year-old waiter who lives with his mother in Phnom Penh City in Cambodia. Bunnarith is engaged to be married and is excited about the upcoming ceremony. In April 2022, Bunnarith was involved in a motorcycle collision and fractured his left tibia. He went to a private clinic, where doctors implanted hardware to stabilize the fracture. Now that his bone has healed completely, Bunnarith wants the metal hardware removed to avoid potential health problems and improve his mobility.
"I want to start my married life without metal in my leg, so I can be healthy. I hope the wound will heal quickly."
Mingfou is a 3-year-old baby boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents in the Kampong Cham province. Mingfou was born with Polydactyly, a condition in which a baby is born with one or more extra fingers. Mingfou has an extra thumb on his right hand that is small and abnormally developed. As a result, it is difficult for Mingfou to use his hand to grasp cups or other objects. Additionally, Mingfou’s mother is concerned that other children will make fun of him if it is not corrected.
"Our family hopes the extra thumb will be removed easily."
Ravy is a 42-year-old driver from Cambodia. There are five members in his family: his wife, his two sons, and one daughter. In 2021, he was in a motorbike collision and fractured his left elbow. He was sent to a private clinic where doctors fixated hardware to heal his fracture. Hardware is usually placed across a joint to allow for proper healing, with the intention of removing the hardware at a later date to restore the motion at the joint. Now, the bone is united and he would like to remove the hardware.
"I hope the hardware will be removed easily. I need to move my arm so I can drive again."
Mary, who is 53 years old, is a small-scale farmer, living in the Rukungiri district in Uganda. Mary and her husband - who have been married for 22 years - have five children. Since January of this year, Mary has been experiencing bleeding, along with severe backaches, lower abdominal pain, and intermittent headaches. She has visited several hospitals where she was treated, but her condition remains unresolved. She was recently diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion, and advised to undergo a hysterectomy.
"I’ve had a lot of pain, but I have hope that when I am given your support, I will be able to attain my surgery and hope to get well."
Immaculate, who is 35 years old, lives with her family in Uganda. She and her husband work as small-scale farmers, and together, they have three children. Immaculate is currently expecting her fourth child. As she delivered her first three children via Caesarean section, for the safety of both Immaculate and her baby, doctors are recommending that she deliver this child via a C-section as well.
"I am in financial difficulty, and I cannot afford this procedure. Therefore, I am appealing to the donors to help me with my operation. I will resume farming after the surgery to support my family."
Bonifes is a 70-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. He worked as a primary school teacher under the old government education system for many years before retiring in 2012 to start farming with his wife. Since 2019, Bonifes has had an epigastric hernia. Initially, the pain was bearable, and he hoped that the condition would improve over time. However, the pain and swelling have recently intensified. It is difficult for him to do daily activities like eating or drinking or to engage in his work farming comfortably.
"I am hopeful I will live a pain-free life again after surgery. I will continue to practice farming to support my family."
Sokly is a 10-year-old student in grade two from Cambodia. His mother and his father are rice farmers in Kampong Cham province. In 2014, when he was only one year old, Sokly was burned in a hot water accident. Four of his fingers eventually developed web space skin contractures. Burn scan contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burn. He now experiences several functional limitations, making it difficult to perform daily activities such as grasping or gripping.
"I hope that Sokly can use his hand and life will be easier for him."
Chan is a retired rice farmer from Cambodia who works in a garment factory. In her free time, Chan likes to cook for her family and listen to the monks pray on the radio. Since her vision deteriorated, it has been challenging for her to cook. Two years ago, Chan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places alone.
"After surgery, I hope I can see again. I can see my grandchildren’s faces and care for myself better."
Ester is a two-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents and sister in a village in Karen State. Her father is a pastor, while her mother is a homemaker who looks after Ester and her sister. Ester’s parents depend on donations from church members to cover the cost of their basic needs. Since Ester was born, she has been unable to move her eyes. She does blink whenever someone waves their hands close to her eyes; however, her mother does not know whether or not Ester can see. Doctors want Ester to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which X-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose Ester’s condition, enabling them to formulate an appropriate treatment plan.
"We, [her parents], have dedicated our lives to serving God. I want her to be able to walk and see. When Ester grows up, I want her to go to Bible school and become a missionary, spreading God’s message, and sharing her life’s story,"
Salome, who is 59 years old, is a mother of three adult children. She lives with one of her sons in the Dandora, an urban slum area in Nairobi, Kenya, where she sells vegetables from a small grocery store that she owns. Salome has some abnormal tissue growth in her cervix. The pathology results indicated full-thickness dysplasia with invasive foci. This means that she has abnormal cells in her cervix that will need to be removed. It was determined that Salome should undergo a LEEP procedure, which will remove the abnormal tissue, allowing for a biopsy to be performed. If cancerous cells are found, further surgical treatment may be necessary.
"I feel confused. This cancer scares me a lot. I think am even ready to have the womb removed as long as the cancer is contained."
Pascal is a small-scale farmer. He is a 70-year-old tall and elderly, yet still strong man. He walks from his home to the hospital on foot. He is the father of six children. Since 2019, Pascal has had left inguinal scrotal hernia. He has swelling in the inguinal region and now can barely sit, stand, or walk — his face showing that he is in a lot of pain.
"I am looking forward to be relieved from the pain I have been having when given your support to be operated on."
Tek Ay is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer from southern Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. About two years ago, Tek Ay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go out on her own.
"I hope I can I go outside by myself and see faces well again. I want to help my daughter take care of my grandchildren."
Eva is a 37-year-old mother from Uganda. Her husband works in a Sacco, and she owns a small hairdressing business in her local village. 15 years ago, Eva began to experience troubling symptoms, including a painful swelling on the front of her neck, shortness of breath, and disfigurement of her neck. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I know that my condition has limited my progress, but I hope that now I will have the surgery done under your support; I will live a happy and improved lifestyle as I resume with my work."
Jasten is a two-year-old boy from Chimutu Village, Kenya, where he lives with his single mother and five siblings. Because of the recent death of his father, Jasten’s mother depends upon small-scale farming to provide for the family. In February 2023, Jasten’s mother noticed that his scrotum was swollen and that he would constantly cry because he was in pain. His mother took him to the nearest health center, where she was advised to seek traditional help. After assessment at the hospital, Jasten was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, and the doctor informed Jasten’s mother that he would need to have surgery.
"Thank you to the donors for this opportunity. I am glad that my son will be well again."
Wiliam is from Chapata Village in Malawi. He is the last born in a family of two children, where his parents work as cleaners at a nearby lodge to support the family. At two months of age, Wiliam’s mother noticed that a swelling causing him to cry. She took him to a nearby health clinic where she was advised to take him to Kamuzu Central Hospital. Wiliam was scheduled a couple of times to see a surgeon at the hospital, but he never got a chance due to overbooking in the surgeon’s schedule. Wiliam’s mother decided to visit Nkhoma Hospital and hoped he could get treatment there. Wiliam was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernia, and the doctor broke news to his mother that he needs to undergo bilateral hernia repair surgery.
"I am happy that my son will soon receive treatment and be free from this condition."
Godfrey is a gentle and respectful man who is a father to four children, all of whom are studying in school. He started working at a young age, doing casual labor work on other people’s farms while taking care of his siblings. Because of Godfrey’s hard work, his sisters have become teachers and are married with families. Over time, Godfrey became a farm manager at a nearby convent, taking care of the pig farm there. Recently, Godfrey started experiencing symptoms such as needle-like pain, especially when lifting heavy objects, which has worsened while cultivating the farm. Godfrey’s dream is to see his children thrive academically, and he is concerned that his health issues will keep him from working and supporting his family.
"I hope I will get well after the operation because it’s the only hope I’m left with. Nevertheless, without your help, I won’t be able to raise the funds required for my operation, therefore I will truly need your assistance."
Turyahabwa is a father of four and is a small-scale farmer alongside his wife in Uganda. His relatives assist him in raising school fees for his children because farming alone is not enough. Turyahabwa developed a small swelling on the occipital region at the back of his head six years ago. He experiences redness and the swelling is increasing in size.
"I have a strong belief that I will live a normal life once again after surgery. I will be able to continue with farming after recovery for further development of my family."
Horn is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer from Kompong Cham province. He is married and has three sons, five daughters, and twelve grandchildren. Horn’s favorite hobbies are visiting the local pagoda to pray and gardening around his house. About three years ago, Horn developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him sensitivity to light, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus he is unable to travel on his own.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see better and I can recognize my family members."
Peninah is a 26-year-old woman from Uganda. Her father is a small-scale farmer, while her mother mostly stays home. In October 2022, Peninah began experiencing troubling symptoms, including mild pain and swelling in her neck. She visited a local health center, where she received an exam and was diagnosed with a non-toxic goiter. She was prescribed medication, but now, she often has a sore throat and sometimes experiences difficulty breathing. Surgery has been recommended to treat her condition.
"I want to look normal again. I pray that I may have a successful surgery and be able to live a comfortable life in the future."
Nita is a bright 3rd grader. Her mom works in a restaurant and her dad is a rice farmer. She loves playing with her older sister, and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Nita has strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. It is difficult for her to focus and she experiences frequent headaches
"I hope my daughter has good vision so she can focus in school and play with the other children."
Chea Lay is a superhero-obsessed pre-schooler. He lives with his family - including his twin brother in Phnom Penh. Chea Lay has strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. It is difficult for him to focus and play with his friends.
"His father said I hope his eyes look better and that he can see more clearly when he starts school."
Muhumuza is a 46-year-old builder and father of four, living with his wife and children in Uganda. Muhumuza went to the doctor because of a swelling just below his right shoulder. He experiences chest pain and paralysis around the site of the swelling. This has hindered his ability to work, as he feels pain whenever he lifts a heavy object.
"I expect to get well after being given your support to undergo my surgery, and I hope to continue building in good health."
SeyHa is a 27-year-old potato farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife live in Kep province with their four-year-old son. In February 2021, he was on his motorbike when he collided with a car. He lost consciousness and fractured his right femur. He was sent to a government hospital in Phnom Penh - approximately three hours away from Kep- where doctors inserted sign nail hardware to heal his fracture. A sign nail stabilizes a fractured bone and enables bone healing. His bone is now united, and SyHa wants to remove the hardware.
"I hope the hardware will be removed easily and I can continue to work on my farm to feed my wife and son."
Amani is a bright, thirteen-year-old student who enjoys her studies. She dreams of becoming a teacher in the future. In 2021, Amani suffered a fractured wrist and it did not heal well. She does not have full range of motion of her hand limiting her use of it, which is making life harder for her.
"Amani's mother said she was happy when she knew that treatment was a possibility. The hope in her gives us strength."
Nwet is a 42-year-old woman from Thailand. She is a homemaker who takes care of her husband and three children and loves Korean shows. Four months ago, Nwet was diagnosed with multiple gallstones and underwent an operation to relieve her back and abdominal pain. Though Nwet felt relief from the previous operation, her symptoms of back and abdominal pain have returned.
"I am afraid to be operated on again, but I am encouraging myself to face difficulties with strength. I am also happy to get help from you. I am a little worried, but I am looking forward to working for my family after I am treated completely."
Heng is a 7-year-old student. He and a younger brother live with their parents in Kandal province. His parents plant lotus flowers to sell at their local market. For past three years, Heng has been experiencing a sore nose, sore throat, and difficulty swallowing and eating. He snores at night and doesn’t sleep well. It is often difficult for him to breathe through his nose. Heng was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time.
"I hope the operation will make Heng feel better and he can easily breathe and sleep better."
Thon is a 39 year old, single mother of a six year old boy. In order to provide for herself and her son, Thon collects cans and plastic bottles on the streets for recycling. About two years ago, Thon developed nasal polyps, which are noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. She experiences nasal obstruction, inflammation, infection, and headaches, as a result of the polyps. Doctors diagnosed Thon with chronic maxillary and ethmoid sinusitis.Thon finds it difficult to breathe or to sleep, leaving her tired throughout the day.
"I really hope after surgery my nose will get better, it will be easy to sleep and breathe, and I will be able to look after my son."
James is a 70-year-old farmer from Uganda. He and his wife have five children, with their oldest 35-years-old and their youngest 15-years-old. For six months, James has had a left inguinal hernia that is causing him pain and discomfort. The medication he receives from a local health unit only works for a short while. Currently, he can no longer bend down, walk, or sit without pain and has had to completely stop farming. James visited our medical partner’s care center for assistance. The doctor recommended that he undergo hernia repair surgery.
"I feel much pain, and I am no longer productive in my current medical condition. I pray that I may get well through surgery so that I may be able to take good care of myself and my family."
Brendah is a 27-year-old businesswoman from Uganda. She and her family have a small retail store in the front room of their home. Brendah is expecting her third child soon and visited our medical partner’s care center for review. Her doctors recommend she deliver via a caesarean section in order to ensure the safety of both Brendah and her new baby.
"Based on my last two deliveries, I came early to ask for support for the success of my surgery because the doctor says I can’t deliver normally."
Yim is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer. She is single and has one younger sister and one younger brother. Three years ago, Yim developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to develop cloudy vision and difficulty seeing in bright or low light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking. As a result, she is unable to travel on her own.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see better. I want to easily go outside and take care of myself."
Denis is a 21 year old living in Uganda. He is the eldest in a family of six children, and his parents work as small scale farmers, producing beans and potatoes for home consumption. Since the age of five, Denis has lived with a left hydrocele, that started out as a small, painless swelling. He did not consider it to be problematic, until he went for a medical visit and learned that he had been living with a hydrocele since childhood. He is worried about what might happen if this is left untreated. The swelling has increased, and his doctors have recommended that he have surgery to prevent larger problems resulting from leaving it untreated.
"I feel uncomfortable in my current condition. I hope I will take on my studies much more comfortably after this surgery."
Brighton is a nine-year-old boy from Uganda. He is a fourth-grader, and is the oldest in the family of three school-aged children. His parents are small scale farmers and mainly concentrate on food production for home consumption. Brighton was brought to the hospital by his father with complaints of a left cheek swelling that he has had for three years. It was small at the beginning and kept on increasing in size, which made his parents worried. During his earlier hospital visits, he only received pain medication without much improvement. He currently has pain and disfigurement on the affected area. He has been feeling down for a while due to the discomfort of the condition. If not treated, he will have persistent swelling, pain and a longer-term poor quality of life.
"I will praise God and be happy after seeing my child well again. He will be able to continue with school."
Pyae is a 26-year-old husband and father from Burma. He works as a day-laborer, and he lives with his wife and two sons. In his free time, he enjoys driving. In December 2022, Pyae was in a car accident where he broke his right upper arm. He was brought to a hospital in Burma for treatment, where his arm was placed in an external fixation device. When his arm did not heal well, the doctor recommended an amputation. He did not want to have his arm amputated, and visited another medical center for further evaluation.
"I do not want to have my right arm amputated. I am hoping for a complete recovery so that I can use my arm again. I used to be a driver and I just want to be a driver again. After my treatment, I would love to work in different foreign countries so that I can make more money to support my family and pay back my debt."
Favour is a young student from Kenya and a very jovial girl. She is in grade six in a Public Primary School. Favour is the last born in a family of 3 siblings, among them is her elder brother and her other sister who attend the Public Secondary School. Her parents are not financially stable but work hard to support their family. Favour presented at the hospital with a condition around her toenails on both feet and in a lot of pain. This started a year ago but has gotten worse over time. She is now unable to wear closed toe shoes due to the pain and discomfort it causes, which limits her ability to walk and play as she is used to.
"I had hoped that the national heath coverage would help us, but that is not the case. Please help my daughter."
Agness is a 29-year-old mother of two. She is the sole breadwinner of her family, working on farms to pay rent for the single room where she lives with her two children. She is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a cesarean section (C-section) because of the high risk during her two previous births. She has been coming for antenatal care and was advised to undergo a C-section for a better outcome and to avoid a ruptured uterus. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"I surely can’t afford to raise any money since my husband left me alone for money. I will be grateful when I deliver my baby safely thus resuming my farming."
Soklin is a 12th grade student. He has three brothers and one sister. He lives at home with his single mom, who works in construction. At home, he enjoys playing soccer with his friends and watching YouTube. When he was 4 years old, Soklin was hit in the eye with a sling shot while he was playing with his friends, but he has never received treatment. Soklin developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to be partially blind and have a cloudy lens.
"I hope after surgery my vision can improve and that I can help my mother to do housework and take care of my siblings at home. I want to graduate and get a good job to support my family."
Yeun is a 70-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife are proud parents and grandparents of two daughters, five sons, and seven grandchildren. They live with their youngest daughter, who sells groceries from the front of their home. At home, Yeun likes to read books and listen to the radio. One year ago, Yeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurry vision. Over time, it has become more difficult for him to read and write. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own.
"I hope after surgery I can see better, go outside, read books and join ceremonies at our local pagoda."
Srey is a 62-year-old rice farmer, living with her husband - who is also farms with her. Together they have two sons and eight grandchildren. Two years ago, Srey developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her light sensitivity, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, and is reluctant to go out on her own.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see better so I can easily go outside on my own."
Judith is a small-scale farmer. She is 26 years old and a mother to 2 children, both delivered by Caesarean section. She is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section as this way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child.
"It has always been a challenge to get out of the hospital whenever I deliver by surgery due to the hospital bill, but I have hopes that when given your support, all will be well."
Joy is a 46-year-old business woman from southwestern Uganda. She shared that she gave birth to one child, who sadly passed away at only 6 months of age. While Joy herself has not had any other children, she is now the stepmother to her husband’s three children. For the past 14 months, Joy has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, bleeding and other worrying symptoms. Joy visited the hospital in Nyakibale, where she was diagnosed with multiple uterine myomas, which will need to be surgically removed.
"I think I will get well because I know once I’m operated on, the condition that has always caused me ill health will be cured."
Jonathan is a father of 5 children, with two sons and three daughters. For 9 months, Jonathan has had inguinal hernia. He complains of pain around the inguinal area especially when he strains. He is not able to lift heavy loads yet his work demands so. Jonathan requires surgery but is not able to raise the funds needed. He appeals for help. Fortunately, on December 6th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
"I hope to get well once am given a chance to undergo the surgery and I expect to live well again and continue farming."
Sak is a 14-year-old boy from Cambodia. Since birth, Sak’s left toes have been contracted, making it difficult for him to walk without pain. He likes to play football but has trouble because of the contractures on his foot.
"I hope my foot heals and I can wear shoes and walk easily after surgery. I want to play football with my friends without pain."
Sdoeung is a hardworking 48-year-old woman from Cambodia who works as a cleaner. She is the daughter of a rice farmer and has seven siblings. When she was 20, Sdoeung had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, she now experiences ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. She also has difficulty communicating clearly with others.
"I hope the ear infection stops permanently after surgery. I have spent a lot of money on medicines and treatments at private clinics, but nothing has helped."
Mark is a 22 year old small scale farmer, who left school early due to financial challenges. He currently lives with his married brother, while his parents - who are also farmers - live in a different part of the country. Mark developed small, painless swellings behind both of his knees in February. As time went on, the swellings have started to increase in size, and by August, he began to experience pain, particularly when he walks or stands for a prolonged period of time. As a result, he has had to stop farming.
"I wish and hope to live a normal life once again through surgery. I hope to be productive again like I used to be. I want to continue with farming after recovery to sustain myself."
San Htay is a 44-year-old woman from Thailand. San Htay’s husband and older son work as day laborers and collect firewood and charcoal. She is a homemaker, taking care of the household, looking after her youngest son, and raising the family’s chickens. In October 2022, San Htay began to experience lower back pain and other worrisome symptoms. She visited the hospital in early November, where the doctors conducted an ultrasound and discovered a possible mass at the cervix. She was given iron supplements and pain medication. However, her symptoms have continued to worsen over time, and she is also experiencing headaches, weight loss, and a decreased appetite. As a result, working around the home is difficult for her, and her husband and son often have to leave work to help.
"At first, I was feeling hopeless, crying a lot, and now that I know there are donors who can help cover the cost of the treatment, I am feeling hopeful again."
Petero is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is a father to seven children aged 30 to 44 years old. For one month now, Petero has had a right hydrocele, a small painless swelling in his groin that later started increasing in size. The more the size increased, the more painful it became. He thought it was witchcraft and decided to resort to prayer for healing. He has never visited any hospital for medical attention before. Currently, he is no longer able to farm comfortably because it has become too painful. If not treated, his condition could develop complications, such as a hematoma or an infection. Fortunately, on November 8th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner’s care center.
"It is painful, and I can no longer do my day-to-day farming duties comfortably. I hope to get well through surgery and be able to live a normal and more productive life once again."
47-year-old Yasenta is a small scale farmer, living with her husband in a three room mud house in Uganda. Over 20 years ago, Yasenta began to experience troubling symptoms, starting with a swelling in her neck. At first, the swelling was small and painless, but over time, it has increased in size. Yasenta tried using herbs, but they did nothing to help. Now, she is thirsty most of the time, and she can no longer carry loads on her head, because of the pain caused by the swelling. In addition, she develops fevers and blockages in her ears, and the condition has impacted her self esteem and confidence. When Yasenta finally went to the hospital to be evaluated, she was diagnosed with a nodular goiter, that if left untreated, could become cancerous.
"I had lost hope of living a normal life again. I believe that I will be able to look normal again and live a better and more productive life after surgery."
Keu is an energetic 27-year-old who works in a factory. He is married and has a three-year-old son. In June 2021, Keu was in a motor vehicle accident, which caused a fracture on his right hand. He went to an emergency clinic, where doctors fixated hardware to heal his fracture. Now, he is experiencing pain in his right hand and needs the hardware removed so he can fully heal.
"I hope I recover quickly and can return to work."
Mai is a 52-year-old woman who is married to a vegetable farmer. On March 23rd, Mai slipped and fell, dislocating her right elbow. She sought treatment at a Khmer traditional healer but her condition did not improve. She is still in pain and her elbow is stiff, which makes it difficult to care for her family or do other routine activities.
"After surgery, when my right elbow gets fixed - no more pain, no infection, and I’ll work for my family again."
Jackline is a farmer and a mother of 7 children. Five years ago, Jackline began to experience troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling and breathing difficulties. Jackline was diagnosed with nodular goitre and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening.
"When I am operated on, I hope to regain my health and be able to farm in good health to sustain and support my family."
Hillary is a curious and playful 18-month-old from Uganda. Since birth, Hillary has had an inguinal scrotal hernia that causes him pain. His family is undergoing a hard time, as his mother passed away in June in a road accident. Hillary is currently being cared for by his grandmother, who works as a farmer. His grandmother shared her hopes of Hillary healing soon.
"I think my grandson will be relieved from the pain he has been suffering once given your support to undergo his surgery. May he grow well."
Gladys is a hardworking 29-year-old mother who has two children. She completed secondary school class four but had to end her studies due to a lack of financial support from her family. She currently works as a farmer, and her husband recently started working as an assistant driver for a truck that belongs to one of their neighbors. She and her husband are currently expecting her third child. Due to her previous deliveries, Gladys’ doctors have recommended that she deliver her new baby via a cesarean section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both Gladys and her child.
"I hope and pray for a successful surgery with a good outcome. I will continue with farming to be in a better position to support my family as far as food provision is concerned."
Chanthol is an 18-year-old chef and the youngest in his family of four older brothers and sisters. Chanthol’s parents are rice farmers. In his free time, Chanthol enjoys exercising, cooking and eating food, reading cookbooks, and researching recipes on the internet. In September 2019, Chanthol was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his right femur. He went to a government hospital, and doctors fixated hardware to heal of his fracture. Now, the bone is united, and the hardware must be removed to stop future complications and infection.
"I hope I recover soon and can return to work."
Pun is a 73-year-old loving grandmother and widow. Her husband, unfortunately, passed away several years ago. She lives with her son, who is a construction worker and helps support her. Due to her poor vision, she spends most of her time at home, often listening to monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Pun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience blurry vision and tearing in her eye. She is unable to see in bright or dim lighting. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own.
"I hope I can see well enough to take care of myself well and go places on my own."
Meet Rhevin, a beautiful six-month-old baby boy from the Philippines, who enjoys nothing more than to sleep and to be fed. Rhevin’s father is a manager trainee, while his mother works on a service crew. Rhevin also has two older siblings. Rhevin was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. However, even with both of his parents working, they cannot afford to pay for Rhevin’s treatment.
"Once this surgery is done, Rhevin will be able to live a normal life. It will also ease our financial burden in sustaining our family’s needs."
Sylivia is a hardworking businesswoman from Uganda. She earned a certificate in nursing, but she decided to run her family’s small retail shop alongside her husband instead. Together, she and her husband have three children and are expecting their fourth. Their firstborn is ten years old and in class five, their secondborn is seven years old and in class one, and their youngest is three years old and in baby junior class. Sylivia loves motherhood and enjoys spending time with her family! Sylivia and her husband are currently expecting their fourth child. Due to having three previous scars, her doctors recommend that she delivers her baby via C-section. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both her and her child.
"I am hopeful that I will have a successful surgery with a good outcome. I will continue with business alongside my husband for further development of my family."
Yan is a 67-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and ten grandchildren. She lives with her husband and their daughter, who is a laborer. Yan enjoys spending time going to the pagoda and listening to monks pray. One year ago, Yan developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience light sensitivity, eye tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own.
"I hope to see well enough to recognize my family and take care of my grandchildren well."
Evelyn is a hardworking farmer and mother of four children who all attend school. On top of being a farmer, she is also responsible for managing her household and caring for her husband and family. For the past few weeks, Evelyn has been dealing with a ganglion cyst on her right hand. This causes her to experience pain, and it also affects her day-to-day tasks. In order to alleviate her pain and allow her to perform daily activities and support her family with less difficulty, Evelyn must undergo a minor excision to remove the cyst. However, due to financial constraints, proceeding with this procedure is not something that is easy for her.
"I need your support to get this swelling removed. I hope to get back to taking care of my family when I get better."
Justine is a 26-year-old businesswoman from Uganda. She runs her family’s small retail shop, and her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver in Kampala, Uganda’s capital city. Justine enjoys motherhood and loves spending time with and caring for her children. Justine and her husband are currently expecting their third child. Due to having two previous scars, one of which is fresh, her doctors recommend that she delivers her baby via C-section. This procedure will help prevent complications during delivery and ensure the safety of both Justine and her child.
"I have had successful surgeries before, and I am hopeful this surgery too will be successful. I will continue to run my family’s retail shop for further development of my expanding family."
Samnang is a 30-year-old electrician from Cambodia. He is married and has one son and one daughter. During his free time, Samnang enjoys playing volleyball, going out with his friends, and watching TV. This past March, Samnang was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left tibia. Doctors at a government hospital fixated external hardware, but the fracture still has not healed. Due to his condition, it is difficult for him to walk and he is experiencing chronic pain.
"I hope after surgery I can walk without pain."
Twikirize is a hardworking 54-year-old farmer from Uganda. She and her husband both practice farming. She is a mother of nine, most of whom are grown up and no longer live with her. Twenty-five years ago, Twikirize began to experience troubling symptoms, including a small neck growth, which has since progressively increased in size. Although she initially thought she could live with the swelling due to it being painless, she recently began to experience pain and discomfort, especially while eating. Twikirize has also began to experience difficulty speaking, and she can no longer turn her neck easily, which greatly affects her farming. She was diagnosed with non-toxic nodular goiter, meaning she has enlarged thyroid glands. She now needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I want to live a normal and free life again and be able to continue with farming to provide for my family."
Thok is a 65-year-old rice farmer with three brothers and three sisters, she is the second eldest in her family. Thok lives with her niece, who is also a farmer. In her free time, Thok likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. One year ago, Thok developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia and blurry vision. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places on her own.
"After surgery, I hope my eye can see well so I can easily recognize things, take care of myself, and help my niece with our housework."
Sela is a 12-year-old 6th-grade student. Sela has been experiencing a sore throat, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and loss of appetite. Frequent illness causes him to miss school. Sela was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time.
"We hope our son will be in good health and be able to eat and breathe better."
Buradina is a 65-year-old small-scale farmer who lives with her husband. Together they have four children who are now grown and starting families of their own. Two months ago, Buradina stepped on a thorn that pierced one of the toes on her left foot. She pulled it out using her hand, but part of it remained in the toe. Her daughter tried to remove the thorn but was also unable to do so. Buradina’s foot started to swell, and so she was taken to the hospital. While at the hospital for treatment - which ultimately was unsuccessful - Buradina was diagnosed with diabetes. Fortunately, her diabetes was stabilized. As the original wound on her toe hadn’t healed, the infection now spread to her foot. The doctors have worked with Buradina to make the best medical plan and amputation of her leg below the knee is now the only option for Buradina as her foot is septic, which can be life-threatening.
"I am in pain and my condition is worsening. My family cannot afford the surgery and my only hope to live a better life is through surgery. I hope and pray that I may be considered for treatment."
Evas is a 29-year-old farmer, who lives with her husband and three children. Evas is pregnant and at the antenatal clinics she has attended, it was strongly recommended that she undergo a Caesarean section due to how her earlier deliveries went. Doctors are concerned that Evas might experience a uterine rupture if she delivers her baby vaginally.
"My husband and I work so hard to sustain our family, but even though we double our efforts, we won’t be able to raise the funds required for our surgery. We kindly ask you for support."
Chantha is a 65-year-old retired veteran. He shared that he lost most of his siblings during the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia and now lives with his only sister, who works as a food seller. Three years ago, Chantha developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. As a result, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot able to go places independently.
"After surgery, I hope I can see clearly again so I can help my sister make food for selling and to support our family. I want to go outside on my own."
U Saw is a 48-year-old man who recently had to leave his home in Burma due to conflict in the area and is resettling in Thailand. U Saw used to work as a hairdresser, but it has been challenging to find work since arriving in Thailand. After U Saw arrived in Thailand in early April, the vision in his left eye began to blur. After visiting a local clinic, he was referred to the hospital for a vision and blood test. The doctors prescribed him some medication and recommended he undergo a CT scan to confirm his diagnosis. Currently, U Saw can only make out shapes and shadows with his right eye. While the vision in his left eye is slightly better, his vision in that eye is also becoming blurred. As a result, he has difficulty walking, reading, making out peoples’ faces, and experiences bad headaches.
"I feel upset. I have no income, and I can only eat with the support of my friends’ parents. If I cannot see, I will feel like my life is over. I feel sad when I think about not being able to go home and when I think about my life in the future. I want to be resettled in a third country."
Two years ago, Maria began to experience backaches, lower abdominal pain, generalized body weakness, and intermittent headaches. She has been diagnosed with adenomyosis, and she will need to undergo a hysterectomy, which will heal her condition.
"I hope to get better in good health and continue working to provide for my family."
Mareach is an active 7-year-old. He is the oldest in his family and has two younger siblings. Mareach is in the second grade and loves studying Khmer and math, as well as playing football and with toy cars. His mother is a homemaker, and his father sells items at the local market to support their family. Several days ago, Mareach placed a stone in his ear when he was playing with friends. He experienced immediate pain in his right ear, and now his ear has become swollen and infected.
"I hope the doctors will be able to take out the stone and that Mareach learns never to put anything in his ear again."
Amor is an adorable 5-month-old baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play with rattles and stuffed animals with his mom. Amor’s mom stays at home to care for him, while his father works as a tailor to help provide income for the family’s basic needs. Amor was born with an inguinal hernia, which is a birth condition that results from a weakness in the abdominal wall. The condition often becomes more pronounced when a baby is crying or coughing. Currently, Amor experiences pain and discomfort, and his parents are worried about his health. Amor will need to undergo surgery to address his symptoms and prevent the risk of the hernia becoming incarcerated in the future.
"With this surgery, I hope the bulge will disappear and he will get normal and free of any pain."
Charles is a 58-year-old farmer, living in Uganda. He and his wife have nine children, all of whom are grown, and have left home. Charles and his wife are farmers, and in the evenings, Charles operates a small pork joint in their trading center, to earn extra money. For a year, Charles has lived with a left inguinal hernia. The hernia causes swelling, and makes it difficult for him to farm and take on any strenuous activity. He needs surgery, but he is unable to pay for the necessary treatment.
"I hope to get better after surgery and continue with my business so as to be able to keep up my family."
Vorn is a 70-year-old mother of three. She has one daughter, two sons, and now nine grandchildren. Vorn shared that her husband passed away many years ago, and she lives with her daughter, who is a food seller. In her free time, Vorn likes to listen to the news and the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Vorn developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Vorn has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside.
"After surgery, I hope my eye stops tearing, and I will be able to see better. I want to take care of myself and my grandchildren."
Phyo Ko is a 33-year-old man. He lives with his wife, son, and daughter in Mae Tao Village in Thailand. Originally from across the border in Burma, he moved to Thailand in search of better job opportunities in 2009. Phyo Ko’s wife is a homemaker and their children are too young to attend school. Phyo Ko works as a construction day laborer and he earns 350 baht (approx. 11.67 USD) per day. However, recently he has not been able to work frequently because of pain in his left thigh.
"When I recover, I will work hard to pay back my debt to the neighbors we borrowed the money from. I want to live with my family for a long time and I want to support my family,"
Prudence is a loving mother of two who is expecting her third baby. Prudence has a bachelor’s degree in business administration but has struggled to find a job in the current climate. Prudence’s husband is a school teacher and with his income, they support their family’s basic needs. Prudence and her husband own a two-room permanent house for shelter for their family. Their eldest is 10 years old in primary school and their second is one year and eight months old. During her free time, Prudence enjoys spending time with her children. Prudence is currently expecting her third child, and doctors recommend that she deliver via a cesarean section because of previous complications.
"I pray that I may have a successful surgery. I will continue to search for a professional job so that I may be able to support my husband in developing our family."
Sophorn is a 32-year-old coffee seller. She’s married and has two daughters who are both in school. Sophorn’s husband is a farmer and tuk-tuk driver. Three years ago, Sophorn was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of her right tibia. She went to a government hospital where a doctor fixated hardware to heal the fracture. Now the bone is healed and the hardware needs to be removed to avoid infection and further pain.
"I’m hoping the procedure goes well and I heal quickly."
Sakita is a brave 9-year-old boy. He's the third born in a family of four children. Sakita is in class one and enjoys learning how to read. Despite his condition, he really likes playing with other children in school. When Sakita was 10 months old, he was involved in a fire accident. He fell on hot charcoals which were close to the bed. Where he lives, most Maasai huts have a fireplace close to the bed to help keep them warm. Now he is not able to walk well due to burn contracture, a scar area that tightens and impedes movement.
"Sakita's mother shared: Help my son please."
Thi is a 37-year-old Burmese woman living in Thailand. She lives and works in a garment factory in the border area of Tak Province, where she receives free meals and board in addition to 4,000 baht (approx. 133 USD) per month. In her free time, she loves to watch the political news and read books. She is also learning Thai to help her communicate with others in Thailand. Last October, Thi was lying down when she felt a mass in her lower abdomen. She was not in pain and had no money to seek treatment so she didn’t go to the doctor at the time. By mid-March, the mass was increasing in size and the muscles around it were tense. She still felt she could not seek treatment because of a lack of funds. However as weeks went on, she experienced severe pain where she felt the mass and in her lower back. She started to have severe vomiting and a headache.
"I was so happy when I learned that I might have donors who can support the cost of my treatment."
Lai Hour is a 20-year-old construction worker. He has one brother and one sister. Lai Hour’s mother is a garment worker and his father is a tuk tuk driver. Lai Hour enjoys playing football, walking with his friends, listening to music, and playing video games. In December 2019, Lai Hour was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left femur. He went to government hospital and doctors fixated hardware to heal his fracture. Now, the bone is united and the hardware must be removed to restore his full functionality.
"I want to heal quickly and be able to walk without pain."
Bright is a hardworking and gifted student. He's the elder brother in his family and has a younger sister. They are both in senior school in Kampala, the capital of Uganda. Bright lost his father in 2010 and since then his mom has been the sole provider of the family. She left for a job in the Middle East to work as a house helper to pay for their school fees and rent. When not in school, Bright takes up car washing to help pay for his sister's fees, complementing what the mother provides. For about a year, Bright has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. He went to a hospital in the city but the cost of surgery was out of reach. He learned that Nyakibale Hospital, which is in his hometown, may be able to offer treatment so he traveled there. Now, he will be able to undergo hydrocele repair surgery.
"I hope to get better and continue with my education in good health because all I want is to make my mother happy because she has really worked hard for us."
Malai is an affectionate two-year-old. She loves to play with her older brother, take naps in the afternoon, and watch TV with her parents. Malai's mother works in a garment factory, and her father works in construction. In May 2021, Malai experienced a burn on her left hand from hot water. Her family took her to a local clinic for treatment, but burn scar contractures have begun to develop on her left hand tightening the skin. As a result, she is unable to extend three of her fingers. Upon review, doctors determined that she needs to undergo a scar release and skin graft procedure.
"Malai's mother said: I hope my daughter will be able to hold things better and her hand will be normal."
Owen is a 20-year-old college student pursuing a degree in agricultural studies. He works hard and hopes to excel in school. Owen enjoys playing football in his free time. Owen's mother is a farmer, while his father is a builder. He also has three brothers. For about six months, Owen has had a hydrocele, or a swelling in a sensitive area. He experiences pain when walking, and other uncomfortable symptoms that have affected his day-to-day life.
"I have hope that when given support, I will be able to undergo my surgery and will get better. I hope to continue with my education in good health."
Sokhon is a 70-year-old banana farmer who is married with seven sons and ten grandchildren. Sokhon lives with her husband and youngest son, who works as a motorcycle taxi driver. She shared that she has not been able to work for several months now due to her worsening vision. In her free time, Sokhon enjoys watching dramas on TV and listening to the prayers on the radio. Two years ago, Sokhon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places independently.
"When I can see better, I will return to work, and I will be able to go out by myself to visit my children and go to the pagoda."
Sarath is a 34-year-old garment worker. He's married and his wife also works in a garment factory. The couple has a 12-year-old son and two daughters, ages seven and five. In September 2021, Sarath slipped and fell on the bathroom floor, injuring his right knee. His right patella is fractured, and he is in pain. He is unable to extend his lower right leg, and now he cannot walk well.
"I am thankful that I can return to work and support my family after this surgery. My life will change because I will be able to walk and work without pain again"
Sarah is a 50-year-old woman and a mother to five children. She and her husband are small-scale farmers, growing crops like cabbage, tomatoes, and carrots to sustain their family and pay for their children's school fees. Their oldest daughter is also a small-scale farmer, while their four sons are still in school. Sarah is a member of her church choir and enjoys singing during her free time. Thirteen years ago, Sarah began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling on her neck and trouble breathing. Her symptoms have increased over time, so she visited the hospital for review and was diagnosed with a goiter. Sarah needs to undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"Life has always been so hard for me; however, I hope to get some relief and continue with farming."
Antonella is a two-year-old girl who was born in Venezuela. About two years ago, her family moved to Colombia in search of better opportunities. Antonella's biggest dream is becoming a doctor in the future so that she can help other kids. In the meantime, she loves to dance and she is always smiling. Antonella has been diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids. Because of her condition, she has difficulty breathing, particularly at night. She also occasionally has difficulty eating.
"Antonella's mother shared: I hope this treatment can happen soon, I'm really worried for her. I can't sleep thinking she will stop breathing. Thank you all for your help, if it wasn't for you, I don't know what I would have done"
Reaksmey is a one-year-old girl and the only child in her family. Her father works at a paint company in Cambodia's capital city, Phnom Penh. At home Reaksmey enjoys playing with her mother, painting, watching cartoons, and being outside with her parents. Her favorite meal is fresh milk and fried chicken. Reaksmey was born with syndactyly of her right foot. This means that she has an extra toe on her right foot. It is difficult for her to wear shoes and her family wants to make sure she can be active as she grows.
"Reaksmey's mother said: I hope her toe can be safely removed and my daughter will be happy."
Ampaire is a senior in high school. She is the third born in a family of four, with three brothers who are all still in school. She really loves playing netball and is even on the school team however, her condition sometimes limits her from doing what she loves. Her father is a taxi driver and her mother sells vegetables in a local market. Three years ago, Ampaire began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty in breathing when she sleeps laying at her back, shortness of breath when she walks at a high altitude, and she gets easily fatigued with a lot of sweating. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse.
"I will be glad to see my health in a normal state once am operated on because it has always given me a lot of worries."
Sa is a homemaker from Thailand. She lives with her husband, who is a nightguard at a hospital. She enjoys doing household chores and making curries. In her free time, she also likes to sew clothes for others. In 2015, Sa started to experience pain in her back and her pelvic area. Since December 2021, she can feel painful masses in her lower abdomen which makes it uncomfortable when she tries to turn and lay down on her side. Now she is not sleeping well at night and is worried about her condition.
"I want to say thank you to the donors who will help me."
Sai is a 70-year-old widow. She has one son who is currently working across the border in Thailand, and, sadly, her husband passed away 20 years ago. She lives alone and is supported by her sister and her neighbor. Every day, she goes to the pagoda to help the monks cook. Two years ago, Sai developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty walking due to her poor vision and uses a cane.
"I hope after surgery my eyes can see clearly again. I want to take care of myself and visit the pagoda to cook for the monks."
Chhorm is married and has five sons, five daughters, and many grandchildren. Chhorm lives with his wife, who is a farmer. At home, he likes to listen to the news on the radio. Three years ago, Chhorm developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and difficulty recognizing faces. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going outside.
"I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I go can outside, see my relatives, and plant crops around my house."
Sophia is a 29-year-old married mother to three children. Her oldest child is in senior class one, while her youngest child is in 3rd grade. Sophia holds a diploma in English and literature. Before the pandemic, she and her husband were both working as teachers in private schools, but lockdowns have left them jobless. They are currently farming to provide for their family. Sophia is currently pregnant with her fourth child. To avoid complications such as a uterine rupture, her doctor has advised her to deliver her baby via C-section.
"It has been close to two years without working for me. My hope is that I get the financial aid I am seeking. Your kindness will be appreciated."
Sambo is a 63-year-old mother of five with one son, four daughters, and now five active grandchildren. She lives with her daughter, who is a garment worker in a factory just outside of the city. Sambo shared that she misses her husband, who passed away about 20 years ago. Because her poor vision makes it difficult to travel or go out, Sambo stays home and enjoys listening to the news on the radio and watching TV. Three years ago, Sambo developed a cataract in her right eye, causing blurry vision, photophobia, tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going outside.
"After surgery, I hope my eye can see better. I can go outside easily, can recognize things, and can cook well."
Immaculate is a primary school teacher. in Uganda. Her husband also works as a primary school teacher, but they have both been laid off due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Early this year, Immaculate started feeling pain in her back and later developed minor swelling that started progressively increasing in size. She had hoped it would disappear on its own, but it has become very painful, especially whenever she does household work like washing clothes and farming. Doctors recommended surgery to address the risk that the lipoma may lead to chronic pain and limit her productivity.
"I hope to live an improved quality of life after surgery, and I will be able to proceed with my daily duties, especially teaching, so that I can take care of my family."
Alex is a bricklayer and his wife works as a farmer. Together, they have three children, who are all in school. Alex shared that he completed college but then lost his parents and became responsible for the care of his sibling. For five years, Alex has had inguinal and umbilical swelling. The swelling worsens whenever he coughs, laughs, or lifts heavy objects. He shared that he can barely sit or stand for long periods or walk long distances.
"This condition has made it hard for my family and me. I am the breadwinner, and I hope I get back on my feet to continue providing for them."
Muoy Ly is a 37-year-old tailor. She lives in Kompong Chhnang Province in Cambodia with her family. When she was eight-years-old, Muoy Ly had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Muoy Ly still experiences pain and discharge. In the past five years she has experienced progressive hearing loss and tinnitus. Now she cannot communicate clearly with others.
"I hope the doctors can help me get rid of this problem that has been with me for a long time. I am happy that I will be able to live in comfort."
Charles is married and a father of nine children: four sons and five daughters. He lives in southwestern Uganda. For two years, Charles has experienced an inguinal hernia that causes him pain and discomfort. He visited the care center at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), and doctors recommended hernia repair surgery to address the condition and risk of developing hernia strangulation.
"I hope to receive the operation, recover, and continue with my business to sustain my family."
Soben is a 29-year-old construction worker. He has six siblings and currently lives at home with two of his siblings to help care for his elderly parents. Soben was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left tibia. Doctors at a local hospital used hardware to repair the fracture; however, this hardware eventually became displaced and led to an infection. Soben could not get the treatment he needed at the local hospital and experienced major tissue loss and pain around the fracture area, and is now unable to walk.
"I am relieved that the doctors can help stop this pain and help me walk again."
Evelyne is an 18-year-old student. She’s the last born of seven children. Her parents are small-scale farmers and own a three-room semi-permanent house for shelter. About four years ago, Nayebare suffered from chickenpox and later developed a prominent scar on her right side of the neck that has slowly kept on increasing in size. Currently, it’s very painful and she can hardly sleep. If not treated, the keloids could become more extensive. They could also transform into cancerous lesions, causing more pain and discomfort. Her family is unable to afford the cost of treatment and is seeking financial support.
"I feel uncomfortable in this condition especially while at school. I hope to look normal again through surgery so that I can live a pain-free life and comfortably continue with education."
Jayden is a sweet five-year-old boy. His mother is a housewife while his father is a day laborer at construction sites. Jayden is the third born in a family of five children and is not yet able to walk and talk well. The mother says that he was healthy at birth but after 4 months, he developed a pneumonia-like illness. His elder siblings had developed tuberculosis and since he was the youngest, he was admitted to the hospital for one year together with his mother. Jayden was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Jayden has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.
" Jayden's mom said: I don’t know what we would have done but we are very grateful to the sponsors and to the hospital for helping our son and for the care you have shown us. Now our son can grow up like a normal man. We look forward to his improved growth."
Sokhak is a 24-year-old construction worker with two older brothers. His father is also a construction worker and his mother is a farmer. Sokhak likes to play volleyball when he has free time, but now he has trouble getting around at all. One year ago, Sokhak was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his left tibia and an open fracture of his left femur. He went to an emergency clinic and doctors fixated hardware to heal his fracture. Now, the hardware is exposed and infected and his left femur is still fractured.
"I hope my leg gets better soon so I can walk again and return to work."
Mugabe is a 60-year-old builder. He is married and a father to eight children. His oldest child is 35 years old, while his youngest is 13 years old. His wife works as a small-scale farmer and their family lives in a five room home. For over 10 years, Mugabe has had a supraumbilical hernia. He hoped that medication would treat his condition, but over the years the swelling in his abdomen has worsened. He experiences intermittent pain, has difficulty working, and is worried about the future if his condition is not treated.
"Many thanks to the donor program and Rushoroza Hospital for the tireless financial support and great care towards my family. May God reward you abundantly. I feel better now."
Kol is a 70-year-old woman with one daughter, one son, and six grandchildren. Kol is a widow as her husband died during the Khmer Rouge era in Cambodia. Now, she lives with her daughter who is a farmer. At home, Kol enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Kol developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope after surgery my eye irritation will stop and I can see well enough to take care of myself and help my daughter around the house. I would also like to join ceremonies at the pagoda again"
Lillian is a 28-year old married mother of one child. She is a primary school teacher, but unfortunately she lost her job due to the pandemic lockdown. Now, she does home tutoring to earn money. Her husband works as an electrician, but is not employed anywhere permanently. The family owns and lives in a two room home which is not yet complete. She and her husband are expecting their second child. Lillian is carrying her fifth pregnancy, and has unfortunately experienced three previous miscarriages. She has been receiving care at our medical partner’s care center where her doctor recommended that she deliver her baby by Caesarean section to avoid complications like uterine rupture.
"I wish to have this child and be a good mother like others but the only possibility of this success will be through your kind support."
Bulandina is a small scale farmer. She is a widow and a mother of 10 children. For a long time, Bulandina has been experiencing lower abdominal pains. She first felt the pain around the time she conceived her second child. Two years ago, the pains reappeared and were very severe, which affected Bulandina’s daily routine. Currently, she is unable to sleep comfortably and has since stopped doing her farming activities. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids and not treated, she could develop severe bleeding that could cause anaemia and make her life very uncomfortable.
"I pray that I may be considered for treatment because I am in severe pain and my condition could get worse. I hope to be normal again so that I may be able to continue farming and taking care of myself and my family."
Lai is a 39-year-old rice farmer who lives with her husband, who is also a farmer, and their three sons, who are all students. These days, she is not able to work in the rice field because of her eye condition. Instead, she stays home and takes care of her children. Five years ago, Lai developed a pterygium in her left eye causing her itching, tearing, and limiting her vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside in the bright day.
"I hope my eye stops all the irritation and tearing after surgery. I want to help my husband at the rice field and can cook for my family."
Sylivia is a 24-year-old small scale farmer. She’s a mother to three children and lives with her husband in a three room semi-permanent house. For four years, Sylivia has had a supra-umbilical hernia. She first experienced pain in her abdomen while working and could feel a small mass in the area. The swelling worsens after she works or eats.
"I am worried that my condition could get worse if not treated. I wish to be treated and live a normal life again. I will continue with farming to be able to continue supporting my family."
Suon is a 51-year-old gardener, but is now unable to work because of his vision. He has one daughter, one son, and three grandchildren. He lives with his wife who takes care of the house. At home, he likes to listen to boxing on the radio. Four years ago, Suon developed a cataract in his left eye causing him blurry vision and occasional tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope I can see clearly again. I want to go back to work and drive my moto by myself."
Shallon is a farmer from Uganda. She completed primary school class six and then had to leave school. Together with her husband, they have 6 children, including a set of twins. They live in a two-roomed mud-built house. Shallon and her husband work hard to meet all the daily needs of their family. Shallon is currently expecting twins. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section because she has a twin pregnancy, and one of the twins is lying transversely, or sideways. An attempt to deliver normally could rupture Shallon’s uterus. By delivering her babies via C-section, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and children.
"I pray for a successful surgery. I will resume farming alongside my husband as soon as I get well to be able to continue supporting and taking good care of my family."
George is an active and playful 3-year-old boy. He’s the last born in a family of two children. George was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a birth condition that could lead to further complications. If left untreated, George has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.
"Coming to Bethany Kids hospital was the last option I had before giving up. Since January, I have been through a lot and used a lot of money but to no success."
Sarah is a 43-year-old nun who serves with Our Lady of Fatima Rushoroza and lives at their motherhouse in Rushoroza. She is the second born in a family of 6. Since September 2020, Sarah has been experiencing lower abdominal pains accompanied by severe bleeding. Currently, she cannot bend down or stand comfortably for a long time due to severe pain and shared that it is even difficult for her to take a bath. Sarah has been diagnosed with abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial hyperplasia. If not treated, there is an increased risk of abnormal uterine bleeding worsening and its associated complications and risk of developing endometrial cancer.
"I hope to regain my health through surgery. When I am free from the pain, I will be able to continue with my day to day duties as a nun much more comfortably."
Aron is a 28-year-old electrician from Southwestern Uganda and the youngest child in a family of eight children. He shared that his business has been slow since the start of the pandemic, which has made things harder for him. Aron has had a swelling at the back of his neck for some time now and it has been growing in size and causing headaches. He is worried about his condition and visited a local hospital. After examination, surgery was recommended to fully heal his condition.
"I have faith that I will get better once am operated and the headaches will finally subdue."
Kosal is a 49-year-old farmer. He is married, with one son and one daughter. His wife and daughter are garment workers, while his son is a young student. Due to issues with his vision, he does not work as much anymore, but in his free time he likes to listen to the news on the radio, visit pagodas, and cook. Two years ago, Kosal developed a cataract in his right eye causing him blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and itchiness. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope that I can get back to work after my eye recovers, so I can farm and plant my own vegetables to sell for extra income."
Sambath is a 72-year-old rice farmer with three sons, three daughters, and 25 grandchildren. Sambath lives with her husband and their eldest daughter, who is also a rice farmer. She likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and visit the pagoda on holy days. Two years ago, Sambath developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the eye that occur with excessive sun damage. Thus, Sambath has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
"I didn’t imagine that my eye would be so much better and my vision would improve. I no longer feel shy about talking with people. Thank you to everyone who helped to pay for my eye surgery!"
Twasiima is a 28-year-old shop keeper from Southwestern Uganda. She runs a small retail shop, while her husband is a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. Twasiima is expecting her second child. Her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Caesarean section because in 2019, very sadly, she experienced a stillbirth. When she was examined for her current pregnancy, the doctor recommended a surgery to reduce the risk of uterine rupture and to ensure that the child is safely delivered.
"I pray for a successful surgery and a good outcome. May God bless me with a child. I will continue to do business to be able to develop my family."
Chan is a 37-year-old garbage collector who enjoys listening to music. He has one daughter and one son. One year ago, Chan developed a pterygium in his right eye, causing him irritation, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths that occur due to exposure to excessive sun damage, causing cells to grow abnormally over the pupil. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope after surgery my eye irritation stops and my vision improves so my life is easier."
Glorious is a middle-aged woman and a mother of seven. She is a small scale farmer along with her husband. They own a two-room semi-permanent house for their family’s shelter. For three years, Glorious has been experiencing bleeding, lower abdominal pain and dyspareunia. Due to the condition, she is not able to do strenuous work on the farm and her marriage is also impacted. She has been diagnosed with chronic pelvic inflammatory disease by the medical team at Rushoroza Hospital and surgery was recommended. However, the cost is too high for her and she is appealing for help. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus.
"I hope and pray to be considered for treatment because my condition is worsening and my health is deteriorating. Given treatment, I hope to proceed with farming and be able to continue taking good care of my family."
Ousa is a four year old boy from Cambodia and is the only child in the family. At home, Ousa enjoys watching cartoons on TV. Two months ago, Ousa developed a chalazion, which is an inflamed cyst, in his left eye, causing him pain, itchiness, and irritation. It is difficult for him to see clearly.
"I hope after surgery his eye gets better so I can go to work without worrying so much about my son."
Tugabirwe is small scale farmer and a mother of five. She works on the farm together with her husband to care for their family. The family currently lives in a three-roomed semi-permanent house. A year ago, Tugabirwe began to experience troubling symptoms including neck pain, mild swelling, headaches and dizziness. She was diagnosed with non-toxic goiter. Since the diagnosis, Tugabirwe’s neck pain has persisted and the swelling has continued to increase in size so that she started experiencing airway blockage. She can no longer carry anything on her head, which is a method she depends on for carrying loads of agricultural products.
"I pray that I may be considered for treatment. I hope to feel better to get back to farming as soon as possible. I finally have hope of living a normal life again."
John is a 34-year-old mechanic and father. He first experienced a sharp pain in the lower stomach area on the right side. The pains were on and off so he did not feel the urgency to visit the hospital. A few days later the pain recurred despite managing them with across-the-counter medication. He visited several facilities in his hometown but there were no changes experienced. Two weeks ago, he started experiencing abdominal pain, poor feeding habits, and vomiting after meals; symptoms also associated with hernia. John has an inguinal hernia–a condition that occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles.
"I used to be strong and active. I could even run a marathon but these stomach pains have grounded me completely."
Muhwezi is a midwife working at a small clinic from Uganda. The 39-year-old woman is also the mother of two sons and a daughter who are all in school. Three months ago, Muhwezi started noting swelling around her chin. The swelling was associated with a swallowing problem and was painful upon pressing. She took antibiotics hoping that the symptoms will go away but unfortunately, the swelling persisted. Muhwezi came to Nyakibale Hospital and had a scan done. She was diagnosed with a cystic mass and an excision was recommended. If not treated, she is afraid the mass might become malignant.
"I think that when the swelling is removed, I will get better because I first tried out oral medicine but all in vain."
Rida is a 10-year-old girl from Cambodia and the only child in her family. Her parents are rice farmers in their province. She wants to be a teacher one day. Eight months ago, Rida slipped on a wet floor and injured her right hip. An osteotomy on her right hip to allow her to walk without pain again.
" "
Ampureire is a seven-year-old student from Uganda. Ampureire was born with a small neck opening. The opening healed on its own, but later, she developed a swelling in the same spot. The swelling has increased and Ampureire experiences pain. She was diagnosed with a branchial cyst. If not treated, the swelling will persist and affect her quality of life.
"I pray that my granddaughter may get well through surgery as I look forward to taking her to school."
Sroy is a 72-year-old num ansom seller from Cambodia. Num ansom is a sticky rice cake wrapped inside a banana leaf. Sroy has three sons and four grandchildren. In her free time, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Six years ago, Sroy developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, sensitivity to light, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope I can get well so I can continue selling my Khmer cakes and taking care of my grandchildren."
Kesaasi is a mother of four from Uganda. Kesaasi relies on farming to make ends meet. When Kesaasi came to Nyakibale Hospital for review, the doctor recommended she undergo a C-Section delivery to save her from uterine rapture. She has been undergoing regular antenatal visits and monitoring at a local health center.
"I am happy to be considered for financial support towards the surgery to have my baby. I hope to resume farming after full recovery."
Biryomumeisho is a 68-year-old man and a father of 15 children. Seven years ago, Biryomumeisho developed a small swelling on the right side of his face that progressively increased in size with on and off pain. At a local hospital, he was diagnosed with a dermoid cyst. If not treated, pain could persist and continue increasing in size. However, he cannot afford the surgery charges for treatment.
"I pray that I may get well through surgery as I look forward to resuming farming for further my family’s development."
Asiimwe is small-scale farmer and mother of three. Her children are all young, between 1 and 3 years. Asiimwe started feeling neck pains with a small swelling. The swelling has been progressively increasing in size over time. She loses her voice most of the time, has severe headaches, mild airway blockage, and over sweating when doing a simple job. The swelling is now painful for her as well.
"I hope and pray for a successful surgery. I will resume farming as soon as possible and be able to develop my family."
Doeun is a 13-year-old student who loves his math class the most. He’s in the sixth grade and lives with his parents, who are vegetable farmers, and his nine-year-old brother. Doeun was in a motor vehicle accident that caused an open wound on his right heel. Two days later, the wound became infected. He needed a debridement procedure but his family could not afford one at the clinic. The bone is now exposed, it is difficult for him to walk, and he is in pain.
"I hope I can heal and be without pain."
Kiconco is 42-year-old woman and a married mother of three. She is a small scale farmer, while her husband is a teacher at a primary school. Kiconco began experiencing troubling symptoms, including mild breathing problems, anterior neck swelling, and severe discomfort. She was diagnosed with nontoxic goiter and requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from worsening. If not treated, the goiter, or enlarged thyroid, could become malignant.
"I pray that I may get treatment and be able to live a normal life again. I will resume farming as soon as possible to be able to support my husband in taking good care of our family."
Kihembo is 32-year-old small businesswoman from Uganda. She is a mother of three and sells second-hand clothes for a living. Kihembo began experiencing troubling symptoms including airway obstruction, difficulty swallowing, and fatigue after basic activities. She visited a local hospital and was diagnosed with euthyroid goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse and to avoid complications.
"I have hopes that once I undergo my surgery, I will be able to regain my health and continue with my business"
Lawrence is a 12-year-old boy and the oldest of three children in his family. Lawrence’s mother sells vegetables to provide for her three children. Lawrence was diagnosed with cryptorchidism. If left untreated, Lawrence will be at increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future.
"I’m relieved to hear that my son can get treated."
Chet is married and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren. He and his wife both farm to earn a living for their family. Chet was riding in an open truck holding large pieces of wood when the wood shifted, crushing his right foot. Unfortunately, he lost necessary blood supply, which has caused necrosis of his foot. Although surgeons could not save the tissue on part of his foot, they were able to preserve the full length of his leg.
"Thank you for saving my life. I am thankful to the strangers who helped fund my surgery."
Nat is a 73-year-old retired rice farmer with one daughter, three sons, and many grandchildren. Nat likes to listen to the monks preaching on the radio when she is not chasing after her grandchildren. Five years ago, Nat developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision, itching, and sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
"I hope after surgery I can see well, go outside by myself, do housework, and take care of my husband and grandchildren."
Owampeire is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She completed secondary school class four but had to leave school due to minimal financial support from her parents. She and her husband rent two rooms for shelter near their village. She is currently expecting a new baby and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a caesarean section to ensure the safety of both her and her child.
"I hope and pray for a successful surgery. I will resume farming as soon as possible."
Chantha is a 30-year-old construction worker. She and her husband have one son. About a year ago, she started getting headaches, ear discharge, pain, and hearing loss.
"I am feeling hopeful that with treatment my infection will disappear, my hearing will improve, and I can work free of pain."
Kim Heang is a 71-year-old man from Cambodia. Kim Heang lives with his brother who is a farmer. Five years ago, Kim Heang developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him burry vision, irritation, tearing, cloudy lens, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside.
"I am very happy that the irritation in my eye has gone away, now I can see and recognize everything better. I also can take care myself."
Tubunyebire is a 52-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is married and a father to six children, with two daughters and four sons all married and small scale farmers. He earns a living from small scale farming, growing food crops for home consumption and selling off the surplus to generate an income to his family.
"I hope for a new life with good health after my surgery and to be able to keep farming."
Mary is a 62-year-old merchant from Cambodia. She has one daughter and one son. Two months ago a troubling mass developed on Mary’s neck. It is difficult for her to breathe and she experiences occasional choking.
"I hope after the surgery is done I will be able to breathe and swallow easily."
Ngabirano is a farmer from Uganda and a mother of seven children. Now that they have gorwn, Ngabirano receives minimal financial support from her children. She shared that she lost her husband 20 years ago and currently lives in a grass thatched house he left for her when he passed.
"My family cannot afford the surgery charges and I am in a lot of pain. I will resume farming as soon as possible once given treatment."
Kompheak is a 5-year-old preschool student from Cambodia. Since he was born, Kompheak has had osteoarthritis affecting both of his legs, which limits his ability to walk and perform his daily living activities independently. Kompheak has just started learning to read at school, and his favorite thing to do is draw pictures.
"I am glad my son is getting better and that he will have an easier time in life when he can walk. I hope to walk alongside him soon."
Turyatemba is a third grade teacher from Uganda. She is married and a mother to five children. Turyatemba arrived at the hospital with a painful swelling behind her knee that she has had since 2016. Her condition as worsened and now she can’t walk well because of her pain.
"I hope to have a new life after my surgery and will continue with teaching after the COVID lockdown, but will be farming meanwhile."
Khuoch is an 8-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one younger brother and her father works in construction. Khuoch enjoys reading books, being outside, playing with her brother, and watching TV. In the future, Khuoch wants to be an English teacher.
"I hope my surgery goes well so I can feel good again."
Sunday is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is married and a father of four children, 3 of whom are still in school. Sunday enjoys visiting agricultural fields to learn new ways and styles of farming to be able to improve his farming.
"I feared what would happen if the swelling was not treated on time, I feel uncomfortable. I look forward to resuming farming as soon as possible to be able to provide for my family."
Ndagano is a 53-year-old man from Uganda. Ndagano and his wife have four children who are all studying. From his farm, he relies on banana and coffee to make ends meet and pay for his children's education.
"I will continue operating my farm effectively after my operation since this condition was my major problem."
Chey is a 86-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son, five daughters, and twelve grandchildren. He enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio and visiting the pagoda.
"I hope that I can see something better after my surgery. I want to go back to the pagoda to join ceremonies with my family again."
Naboth is a 32-year-old retail shop attendant from Kenya. His wife helps him out in the shop and they both have one child.
"This can never be taken for granted. I have never seen such an amazing opportunity and offer like this. May God reward you. I am so glad for the support for my surgery. I will now be able to continue operating my retail shop."
Sreang is a 38-year-old rickshaw driver from Cambodia. He is the youngest son in a seven sibling family.
"I am happy that my eye has recovered quickly. Now I can see things well, and when I find my strength again I am comfortable to continue my work."
Monic is a tailor with her own small business in western Uganda. She is a 26-year-old mother of one. She was rejected by her in-laws due to her poor economic background, forcing her to be the only parent to her child.
"Thank you for the generous heart you showed me even though we do not know each other. But I thank you very much for practicing the life of Christ and for restoring my life. I will continue tailoring to earn a living."
Yorn is a 39-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and two daughters. Yorn fell from a distance of three meters, and fractured his right arm.
"I am so happy that my wounds are healing and that I can use my hand again."
Peter is from Karanjee village in Kenya. He is married with three children. Peter works as a construction laborer to support his family.
"My family is dependent on me and so I hope to be well again and support them."
Hope is a widow from Uganda. She is married with three children, all of which are in primary school. Her husband passed away in 2008 and they have struggled financially since. She does small-scale farming to earn a living.
"My sincere heart goes out to my donors for supporting my surgery. "
Savy is a 48-year-old fish seller from Cambodia. She lives with her husband, who is a small-scale farmer. They have been married for 28 years and have five children together.
"I already feel that I am getting better slowly, so I am very happy. I think I will be ready to work again in no time."