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:
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."