Randy is a 15 year old high school student, who loves to play basketball. He lives with his mother and two older brothers in the Philippines, where his mother works as a manicurist. Since birth, Randy has lived with an indirect inguinal hernia. This type of hernia doesn't improve on its own, and needs to be treated surgically. If left untreated, it can increase in size, become painful, and lead to potentially life threatening complications. Despite the desire of his parents to provide the care that Randy needs, their inadequate finances hinder them from doing so. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is here to help. On March 29th, Randy will undergo hernia repair surgery at Our Lady of Peace Hospital, with a portion of the cost of the surgery being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Randy's family needs your help to raise the remaining $1,103 needed to defray the remaining charges. Randy's mother said: "There are a lot of sick people who need operations they cannot afford. My son has had to endure his condition for 15 years before getting treated. That's why we are truly grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. If it weren't for you, we would still be struggling to earn money for my son's surgery. May you continue to help more in-need people."

Jeremiah, who is 41 years old and the father of four children, hails from the lowlands of Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. He has a small piece of land on which he plants maize, mainly for his family's consumption, while he also works as a casual laborer on other people's farms, clearing bushes and charcoal burning, in order to earn a living. Jeremiah presented to the emergency department with a chief complaint of right leg pain after being hit by a stone. On examination there was swelling, right limb shortness, and an inability to use his limb. After his leg was X-rayed, Jeremiah was seen by our orthopaedic specialist, who told him that he had an open fracture of his tibia, and would need surgery. Currently, Jeremiah is not able to walk or stand, and he has a lot of pain in his right leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On April 12th, Jeremiah will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital, after which he should heal completely, enabling him to return to work so that he can continue to provide for his family. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Jeremiah said: ”My family depends on me for their daily needs, so it is really difficult for them at this moment. I sit here in the ward and imagine what they are going through. I don’t want to see them struggle when I am living.”

Khin is a 28-year-old woman who lives with her parents and three elder sisters in Burma. She is unemployed, but her family runs a small grocery store. Her elder brother works in a chicken factory across the border in Mae Sot, Thailand. In April, 2020, Khin started to feel dizziness, headache, and nausea. She also developed blurred vision and her eyes became more sensitive to light. At first, she thought she just needed eyeglasses, and went to an eye clinic in Yangon. The ophthalmologist tested her eye and suspected that her symptoms might be due to a brain tumour. She received multiple CT scans at hospitals in Yangon and she was diagnosed with a brain tumour, but her surgery kept being postponed due to COVID-19 and later the country's military coup. By late 2022, Khin's family were in debt and could no longer afford to pay for her surgery. Eventually, Khin decided to seek treatment at Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand, where she was told she may be able to receive free treatment. A medic from the clinic referred her to Mae Sot Hospital, where with the help of Watsi donors and BCMF, she received a CT scan. She was diagnosed with possible pituitary macroadenoma, and was told she would need surgery to remove the tumour. However, she would need to undergo a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in preparation for the surgery and to plan the best treatment plan. Currently, Khin's blurred vision is worsening. She can no longer see well, even during the day when it is bright outside. She also has pain in both of her eyes and sometimes around her eyes. She has a headache, which is more severe on the right side, dizziness, weakness and nausea. She has lost two kilograms within the past two weeks. Khin said, "I feel really sad as my vision is worsening with time. One time, I could not see my sister who was standing close to me. Thank you for supporting me. I believe they my vision will surely be fully treated. I am trying to encourage myself and stay positive amongst all of my difficulties.”

Three year old Shedrack lives with his parents and a newborn sibling in an area of Tanzania known for its production of sugar. Shedrack's parents are involved in the cultivation of sugarcane for commercial purposes, on a small scale. They also cultivate maize and beans that are for subsistence purposes. Shedrack's mother stays at home to care for the children, while his father manages all of the farming. Five months ago, while Shedrack 's mother wasn't looking, Shedrack pushed over a pot of hot water in the kitchen, which poured all over his body, primarily burning his left arm and leg. The burns were severe, and after they healed, Shedrack was left with burn scar contractures on his left knee that prevent him from being able to fully straighten his leg, making it difficult for him to walk. He has undergone treatment and is in need of follow-up surgery to help him walk as he grows. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Shedrack receive treatment. On February 27th, surgeons at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre will perform burn contracture release surgery, enabling Shedrack to walk easily again. Now his family needs your help to fund this $874 procedure. Shedrack’s mother says: "My son’s treatment has taken a while, but I am glad that I can see progress from the first time I brought him here.”

Daw San is 64-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter-in-law. Originally from Bago Division, Burma, she moved to the Thailand to live with her son and daughter-in-law in 2019, after her daughter passed away. Daw San is retired and she helps out at home while her son and daughter-in-law work in factories. In November 2020, Daw San began experiencing lower back pain and had a fever. She was diagnosed with kidney stones, which are hard deposits of minerals that form in the kidneys and are often very painful to pass. With the help of Watsi and Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), she underwent one round of laser treatment to break up the stones in her right kidney in August. When she went back for her follow-up appointment in September, she received an ultrasound and was told that the stones in her right kidney had not been broken up into smaller ones and will need surgery to remove these stones. If left untreated, Daw San's symptoms will continue to worsen and will put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Our medical partner, BCMF, is requesting $1,500 to fund Daw San's kidney stone removal surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 5th. "In the future, I want to work and save money. I want to donate money to the monks," she said.

Stephen is a 50 year old man from Kenya, who is the father of three children. Stephen used to work as a caretaker at a children's home. However, in April 2015, he was riding his motorbike when he was hit by another vehicle, and broke his right leg. A cast was applied at the local hospital, but Stephen later developed a wound that remains unhealed to this day. Stephen can no longer use his right leg, and for this reason, he no longer works, and no longer has a source of income to provide for his family. In November 2022, Stephen's right leg ulcer began to deteriorate. His pastor referred him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, and Stephen is now scheduled for debridement and skin grafting surgery on January 12th, at AIC Kijabe Hospital. Because Stephen has undergone multiple procedures already, he has exhausted the medical coverage that he had, and the hospital has already waived one large bill that Stephen could not afford. Now he needs your help to raise the $1,185 to cover this final procedure, which should fully heal the wound, and prevent the possibility of Stephen's leg having to be amputated. Stephen says: “I tried to take care of the wound at home, but it worsened. I might lose my leg if not treated.”

Naw Kwee is a 56-year-old woman who lives with her husband, three daughters and three sons in a refugee camp. She is a homemaker and her husband is retired. Five of their children go to school in the camp, and her second oldest son works as an agricultural day laborer. Six years ago, Naw Kwee often went to the camp’s hospital run by Malteser International (MI) Thailand to receive treatment for urinary tract infections. In 2020, she was diagnosed with a right kidney stone. With the help of Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), she underwent a round of laser treatment in 2021 at Chiang Mai Hospital. Unfortunately, the laser treatment was unsuccessful, so doctors inserted a nephrostomy tube three days later. This tube is passed from the back through the skin to the kidney where urine collects and temporarily drains the urine that is blocked. Naw Kwee felt a lot better afterwards, although she would still occasionally experience pain. In November 2022, her condition worsened and she would have back pain more often. Currently, she will be in pain once or twice a week since she is taking medication. Sometimes, the pain is severe and she develops a fever which will last for a week. If she is in pain, she cannot sleep well and has a poor appetite. She cannot walk, and does not feel comfortable laying down when she is in pain. Doctors recommend that Naw Kwee have surgery to remove the kidney stone and her procedure is scheduled for January 20th. Now she needs help to pay the $1,500 requested for the treatment. Naw Kwee said, "I have been suffering from this condition for so many years. I hope that I can receive surgery soon and recover fully so that I no longer need to travel back and forth to the hospital anymore. I hope that I will be free from pain and that I will be able to help my family with household chores such as cooking and cleaning the house. Thank you so much to all the kind people who are willing to help me."

Meet Marvens, a three month old infant from Haiti, who is much loved by his parents. Marvens has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain, and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, the circumference of Marvens' head has been growing. While Marvens has already undergone one procedure to help heal his condition, the fluid in his brain has now started to accumulate again, and without additional treatment, he will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Marvens, at Hospital Bernard Mevs, that will treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available, and the procedure is scheduled to take place on January 12th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Marvens's brain to reduce the intracranial pressure, and to greatly improve his quality of life. With proper care, Marvens should develop into a strong and healthy young boy. The family is hoping that this procedure will allow their child to be healthy and happy.

Melissa is a 15 year old student, living with her parents and three siblings on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, in Haiti. For the past two years Melissa has been too unwell to attend school. She suffers from a cardiac condition, known as rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart was damaged during a bout of rheumatic fever that Melissa suffered as a child, and this valve can no longer adequately pump blood through Melissa's body. With the help of our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, Melissa is scheduled to travel to Cayman Islands, where on January 13th, she will undergo surgery. Doctors at Health City Cayman Islands will attempt to repair her existing valve, but if this fails, they will implant an artificial replacement. While another organization is covering the primary cost of Melissa's surgery, she and her family also need help to fund the costs of pre-surgery preparation, including lab tests and medicines, and follow up appointments. The $1500 that they are seeking will also help to defray the costs for the passports and travel of the social workers, who will accompany Melissa and her family abroad. After Melissa has recovered, she will be able to resume her studies, which she is really hopeful for in the near future. Melissa said: "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can get back to going to school and doing more with my friends and family."

Sophia is a 56-year-old woman, and the single mother of two children. The oldest has finished school, and sells roasted corn in their local town. The youngest is in form four, waiting to sit for her exams this November. Sophia does small-scale farming, selling the produce for a living. She currently lives in a house that she inherited from her sister in their ancestral home. Just over two weeks ago, Sophia started experiencing severe pain in her abdomen. She took some pain medication, but the pain worsened. After two days, she went to a nearby hospital and was examined. Some scans were also done, but her doctors could not determine what caused the pain. She was given some medication and sent back home. After taking the medication for a few days, her pain did not go away. A neighbor referred her to Kijabe Hospital for more assistance. On arrival at the hospital, she was immediately admitted, as she was found not to be in condition to go back home. While in the hospital, she was put on medication that finally helped to relieve the pain. After more tests, scans, and a biopsy, it was determined that Sophia has colon cancer. The cancer is causing an obstruction disrupting her digestive system. She is set to undergo a curative laparotomy surgery on November 14th. Now, Sophia needs your help to fund the $1,074 cost of the surgery. Sophia says, "I never knew I had this condition. I just want to get well and provide for my daughter.”

Ku is a 42-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, two sons, grandson, and five daughters in a refugee camp in northern Thailand. Her husband has tried hard to get work outside of the camp, but this has been very hard due to COVID-19 restrictions. Ku's children are too young to contribute to the family, since most of them are students. Ku and her household receive 1,824 baht (approx. 61 USD) every month on a cash card from an organization called The Border Consortium, to purchase necessities. Their combined household income of 2,824 baht (approx. 94 USD) is just enough most of the time to cover their household expenses. Ku was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, if she walks longer distances, she will experience tiredness and difficulty breathing. If she is more active, she also feels more tired. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ku. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 12th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Ku said, “I feel too tired to go out [of the camp] and forage for vegetables in the forest. Although my husband wants to find work outside of the camp [as he is struggling to find enough customers right now], he is not allowed to leave the camp because of COVID-19 restrictions.”

Samhong is a 30-years-old motorcycle mechanic from Cambodia. He is married and has one son and one daughter. During his free time, Samhong enjoys listening to the radio, watching TV, and spending time with his children. Last month, Samhong was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture on his jawbone on the ride side of his face. Due to the fracture, he is currently unable to open his mouth and is in chronic pain. Samhong's family took him to a private clinic in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital city, but he could not afford treatment. Fortunately, his grandmother told him about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Now, Samhong is scheduled to undergo a fracture repair procedure on September 1st. CSC is requesting $483 to fund this surgery, which will heal his fracture. Samhong says, "I hope that my mouth will be able to open and close easily again and that the pain will go away."