What do you do when you are suffering from a painful medical condition and the nearest hospital is 19 miles away? That’s a short trip by car or ambulance. But if you live 19 miles away in rural India, where you’re lucky to have a bike to navigate the rough dirt roads, a trip that could have taken minutes turns into days. What is more, when you finally arrive at the hospital, the cost is well beyond your means, plunging you further into poverty and debt. Prema was struggling with exactly this dilemma.

She and her husband live in a rented house with their six children. As a mechanic her husband, James, earns a small income but not nearly enough to put food on the table for eight every day. Then a year ago, Prema developed a painful medical condition that left her bed-ridden, unable to care for her children or perform normal household chores.

Unable to afford care at a private hospital, she was referred to a local government hospital 19 miles away. But Prema needed surgery, and even the government hospital was too costly. By God’s grace, her husband heard about a free surgery program offered at IGL’s Sharon Hospital in honor of World Health Day in April 2015. Prema was finally able to get the surgery she desperately needed to relieve her pain and discomfort. Through tears of gratitude, she thanked God and Sharon Hospital for organizing these medical programs to provide care for those in need. Prema recovered well, and her children were happy that she was able to return home.

You can help IGL provide surgeries at an affordable cost (or even for free!) by donating to IGL’s surgery fund.