Patience is a 24-year-old woman from Uganda. She is married with two children, both of whom are studying in school. Despite her passion for nursing, Patience couldn't pursue a career in nursing due to a lack of school fees. She supports her family by running a small business selling second-hand clothes and engaging in farming. Her husband works in the bodaboda (motorcycle taxi) business. Patience recently sought medical attention due to pain on the right side of her body, as she is experiencing backaches, especially when lifting any objects. These symptoms have persisted for eight months, but financial constraints prevented her from seeking medical help earlier. After an examination, the doctor diagnosed Patience with a right adnexal cyst and recommended cystectomy treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Patience receive the care she needs. On December 14th, she will undergo a cystectomy at AMH's care center. AMH is requesting $220 to fund this procedure. Patience shared, “I hope to have an improved life and better health once I am given a chance to be operated under your support.”

Flora is a single mother of a baby boy aged 1.5 years. She is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo who found herself in Malawi in the year 2022 in search of her sister Esperance. Flora grew up in her sister’s house since she lost all her parents through war. She shared that they got separated in 2016 during a war where Esperance's husband was killed and the family all scattered. Esperance, the sister, found herself in a refugee camp in Malawi in 2016 where Flora was able to trace her 6 years later. They both now run a saloon business which earns them a little income that helps to meet their needs. Flora was doing well until her recent pregnancy. During one of her antenatal clinics that was done at Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH), she was noted to have uterine fibroids through abdominal ultrasound scanning. She had a successful caesarian section in June 2022. However, since the birth of her child, Flora has been experiencing difficult symptoms leading to frequent blood transfusions due to anemia. Flora is weak at the moment and has been seeking medical attention frequently. On January 17th this year, Flora was taken back to KCH due a dangerous low blood level. She received three pints of whole blood, recovered, and was discharged home. On January 31st, she was seen by the gynecologist at KCH who recommended a hysterectomy but due to the long list at KCH, she is not able to be seen for many months. The gynecologist referred her to our medical partner's care center PIH for urgent attention due to her condition. Her sister brought her to PIH where the surgeon confirmed her diagnosis and the need for a total abdominal hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus, including the cervix. Flora was then referred to the Watsi program due to her financial status. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in a woman's uterus. Fibroids might become quite large leading to severe abdominal pain and heavy bleeding. If left untreated, fibroids continue to grow, both in size and number worsening the symptoms. The heavy bleeding may become worse causing anemia which may be fatal. Flora needs help raising $1,363 to fund her hysterectomy surgery scheduled for February 3rd. After the surgery, it is expected that Flora will be able to live her normal life, and continue taking care of her baby as she works hand-in-hand with her sister. Flora Said, “Kindly help me to get better. I have already come through a lot in my life."

Ratha lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and two siblings. Her mom stays at home to care for the kids, and her dad works in a printing shop. Her favorite things are eating pizza and riding her bike with her 10 year-old brother. Ratha has been diagnosed with bilateral genu varum, also known as bow legs. Ratha's condition is severe, with her legs turned inwards, which makes it difficult for her to walk and play. Fortunately, doctors at our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, can help improve her mobility. Small plates are used to correct a deformity affecting the angle of the bone. They are inserted into one side of the growth plate, guiding growth of the limbs until they are straight. On September 13th, she will undergo surgery at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre to help resolve her condition. Now she and her family need your help to fund the $521 cost of the surgery. Her mother hopes she is healthy soon and shared that she hopes surgery can help her daughter play with her friends and ride her bike more easily.

Song is a 66-year-old retired tailor from Koh Kong province. She has one son, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Nowadays, she lives with her aging husband, and their living is supported by her children. Three years ago, Song developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She feels sad she has lost much of her independence due to her limited vision. When Song learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 5th, doctors will perform a cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. She said: "I hope I can see better after surgery. My husband and I want to grow some vegetables like bananas and eggplant to sell to support our living."

Leang is a happy three year old kindergartener, living with her parents in Phnom Penh in Cambodia. Her father works at a local company, and her mother is a journalist. Two weeks ago, Leang developed a chalazion in her right eye. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. In addition to the pain that the chalazion causes, Leang also suffers from impaired vision, due to swelling in her eye. This makes it difficult for her to concentrate and enjoy preschool. Leang's parents brought her to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek treatment. On January 16th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will remove the cyst from Leang's eye, through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Leang's symptoms should improve. Leang's family needs your help to raise the $210 to fund this procedure. Leang's mother shared: "I hope the operation will be easy for my daughter so she can go to school with no pain or swelling."

Meet Glory, a three year old girl living with her parents and one sibling in Tanzania. Her parents work hard at jobs that limit the time that they can spend with their children, but which enable them to provide for the family's basic needs. In 2021, Glory was enjoying tea with her sister, when the hot liquid spilled onto her arm, burning her. Glory's parents brought her to the nearest hospital, where she was treated and sent home. The burns healed, but contractures formed, making it impossible for Glory to straighten her arm. After a second evaluation, Glory's parents were told that she would need surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help. On October 13th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery, which will enable Glory to straighten her arm. Now, the family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Glory’s mother says: “I am hopeful now that my daughter is going to get better.”

Andy lives in a neighborhood of La Paz with his parents and younger sister; he is in the fifth grade and likes playing video games and spending time with his friends and family. Andy was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect: a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. During surgery, doctors will sew a patch over this hole to close it. His surgery costs $1,500, and Andy's family needs help to pay for it. Andy's mother said, "Our family is very hopeful that after this surgery Andy will have more energy and will grow bigger and stronger!"

Miracle is a seven-month-old baby and the first child born to her young parents. Miracle's mother and the father both work in a hotel, with her mom working as a receptionist and her dad as a hotel attendant. They own a two-room mud house for shelter and are in the early stages of developing their family. One week after Miracle was born, she developed swelling at the back of her head. The mass started out small but has slowly been increasing in size. When Miracle was six months old, her parents took her to the hospital and doctors recommend surgery to heal her condition. However, her parents were unable to raise enough money at the time for the procedure. Miracle has become uncomfortable sleeping due to the growing mass, and doctors say the swelling is likely to increase in size or become septic (infected) if it's not removed. Miracle's family traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, for treatment. On June 3rd, surgeons are scheduled to remove the mass. Now, Miracle's family needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure that will greatly improve her quality of life. Miracle's mother says, “My daughter’s condition is worrying. I pray that she may look normal again through surgery so that she may live a better life in the future.”

Esther is a beautiful seven-month old baby girl from Haiti. She has two older sisters, and loves to smile and play with her mom. Esther has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Esther has been experiencing an increase in head circumference. Without treatment, Esther will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost Esther's surgery, which she will have on February 24th at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in Haiti that currently provides this critical type of treatment, which will drain the excess fluid from Esther's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Esther will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her parents shared with us that they hope she'll have the opportunity to grow up and be able to play with the other children.

Benzaqueen is a 4-month-old baby and the second born in a family of two children. Her parents work hard to make ends meet for their family. Before she was caring for Benzaqueen, her mother used to do jobs like plowing and house chores for people to earn a living. Her father mostly works in construction sites when he can find jobs to provide for their family. Benzaqueen has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Benzaqueen has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Benzaqueen will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Benzaqueen that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 24th and will drain the excess fluid from Benzaqueen's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Benzaqueen will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl! Benzaqueen’s mother says, “We just cannot wait for our child to be fully out of the hospital and treated. We hope for the best.”

Makara is a 14-year-old seventh grade student. He is the youngest in his family, and has two brothers and four sisters. His parents are rice farmers, and they also raise chickens and cows. In his free time, Makara enjoys playing football with his friends. His favorite meal is kari soup and Coca-Cola. In the future, he wants to be a lawyer. When he was three years old, Makara was burned by a fire on his right hand. Burn scar contractures have developed on his index, middle, and ring fingers, tightening the skin near the burns. He has limited use of the fingers on his right hand. When Makara's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 11th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his right hand easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Makara shared, "I really hope my hand heals and I can use it normally."