Lowasa is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania and the firstborn child in his family. At two years of age, his knees started curving inwardly forming knocked knees. His parents thought it was a normal ricket condition that would end with time. With time, the swell kept worsening and made walking painful and difficult for Lowasa. He would sit most part of the days while his friends played. Lowasa was referred to our facility by a friend. He was diagnosed with knocked knees and surgery recommended. Upon successful surgery, he will be able to walk with ease and less pain. His parents are livestock keepers who rely on selling them to make ends meet. The only money they had was exhausted in a different facility to relieve Lowasa the swelling on his legs. They are not able to afford the planned surgery and are requesting help. Fortunately, Lowasa traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform surgery on December 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Lowasa's treatment. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and with less pain. Lowasa's parents say, “His legs keep worsening as days go by and we are unable to afford the cost. Please help our son if it’s possible.”

Philemon is a farmer from Kenya. Philemon is a 22 year old father of one and himself is the first born child of a family of four. Being the first born child in a less fortunate family, Philemon’s roles were defined so fast that he dropped out of school so that his younger siblings could get a chance to proceed with their studies. He opted to do farming with his dad so that they can improve their humble background. Philemon is hardworking and energetic man who is depended by the family for its daily needs. Philemon was well until 9th August when he fell from a tree and sustained injury to his left leg and was diagnosed with an open proximal tibia fracture. Philemon was brought to our hospital and was received by our doctors. He underwent his first surgery to clean and close his wounds. He was then admitted to wait for ORIF surgery. He is unable to stand with his left leg. He can only walk with the able of a walker or being wheeled on a wheel chair. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 15th, Philemon underwent a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to walk normally after treatment. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Philemon says, “I need to walk again, I don’t have a sustainable job to feed my parents and siblings. I also want to make sure that they finish school and get proper education."

Myat is a two-month-old boy who lives with his family in Hpa-An Town, Karen State, Burma. His father passed away when his mother was two months pregnant with him. Myat’s mother is a homemaker and she takes care of him at home. All of his sister and brothers are students. Myat’s grandfather drives a tricycle taxi. On 6 June 2019, Myat was born without any complications at HGH. Since he was born, his mother noticed that he has been passing white coloured stools, but she did not do anything about it because she thought it was normal. When he was just over a month old, his mother noticed that Myat’s navel was bigger than normal. His mother then took him to HGH. The doctor examined his navel and told his mother not to worry too much and he also told her come back if it becomes bigger. A few days later, Myat’s mother noticed that his navel has become bigger and his mother took him to the hospital again. The doctor again took a look at Myat’s navel and advised his mother to take him to a hospital in Yangon for treatment. However, Myat’s mother did not have money to go to Yangon. On 6 September 2019 Myat received an X-ray at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) and was given a diagnosis of a bulging navel and biliary atresia, a childhood disease of the liver in which one or more bile ducts are abnormally narrow, blocked, or absent. Currently, Myat still passes white coloured stools. He also has a bulging navel which never goes away. His mother is very much worried for him, especially that she just learned about his liver disease. Myat’s mother said, “I would like him to be like other children. I feel bad for him but at the same time happy that an organization Burma Children Medical Fund will help him for his treatment.”

Since birth, Sim has had a malformation of her spine, which she worries is slowly getting worse with time. Her scoliosis causes her pain in her legs, difficulty sleeping, and she is unable to sit for long periods of time. With surgery, Sim will be able to walk again with ease and will be able to sit and sleep comfortably. She will not have to worry that her condition will worsen, and she can return to her work. Sim enjoys watching television, listening to the news, and helping with the housework in her spare time.

Kyin is a 69-year-old retired teacher who lives with her 31-year-old son and 39-year-old daughter-in-law in Yangon, Burma. As a retired teacher since 2010, Kyin receives 140,000 kyat (approx. 140 USD) per month as part of her pension. She now volunteers as a teacher at a monastic school. Both her son and daughter-in-law work for a company. Kyin has another son who was paralysed in a workplace accident. He used to live with Kyin, but when her health deteriorated and she could no longer care for him, he was moved to a social care centre in Yangon. One day, in March 2016, Kyin was teaching at the monastic school, when suddenly she fainted. A medical emergency team then attended to her. When she felt better, a doctor told her that she might have a heart condition and advised her to see a heart specialist. One month after the incident, she went to a cardiologist at North Okkalapa General Hospital. There, she received an X-ray and an echocardiogram (echo). After checking her results, the doctor told her that she has a heart problem and that she can die if she does not receive appropriate treatment. The doctor prescribed her medication for her heart and told her that she will need to receive surgery if her health deteriorates. Six months ago, when Kyin received another echo and the doctor told her that she needs to receive surgery right away. However, her family could not afford to pay for her surgery. Therefore, the doctor said that he would help find them an organization that could help with paying for her surgery and medication. Currently, Kyin is unable to sleep well at night on her back and she needs to sleep propped up. She often feels tired and has shortness of breath.

Bun Thong is a 48-year-old rice seller from Cambodia. He has three daughters and enjoys exercising and taking care of his children in his free time. In January 2019, he was in an accident and was thrown from his moto, causing injuries to his right shoulder and elbow. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to extend his elbow and experiences sensory loss in his shoulder. Bun Thong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 12, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain control of his shoulder and allow him to move his arm normally again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that my surgery will go well and after I will be able to use my arm and return to work."

John is a young man from Kenya. In June, he was hit by a motorbike and sustained injuries on his right leg. He is in chronic pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 2, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.

Su is a 45-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives in Mae Pa, Tak Province, Thailand with her husband and their twelve-year-old son. In her free time, Su enjoys growing vegetables in her garden and getting together with her friends. Su first noticed symptoms related to her health condition three years ago when she experienced severe abdominal pain. Su underwent an ultrasound and was told that she had a stone in her liver. In January 2019, Su’s severe abdominal pain returned. In May 2019, Su underwent a CT scan at Mae Sot Hospital and the doctor confirmed that Su has a bile duct stone. Su has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Su's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Su is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on June 10. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Su's procedure and care. Su says, "I have recently begun to experience pain in my right leg that makes it uncomfortable for me to walk."

Srey Yen is a garment factory worker from Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, watch the television, and help her family around the house. In January 2019, Srey Yen was in a motorcycle accident, fracturing her left wrist and injuring her shoulder when she fell on the ground after colliding with an incoming car. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. She cannot move her shoulder or bend her elbow, and often experiences pain in her left arm. Srey Yen traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, Surgery will help her to regain full movement in her arm without any pain or difficulty. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to move my arm and hand and can go back to work."

Khoeun is a 62-year-old bike mechanic from Cambodia. He has six children and three grandchildren, and he enjoys listening to the radio in his free time. Five years ago, Khoeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Khoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On April 9, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I will feel better and be able to see clearly so I can help my family and go back to work."

Victor is a young boy from Kenya. He is the youngest in his family. Unfortunately, his father passed away last year. He is being raised by his mother. Victor was born with an unusual condition in both feet. He underwent surgery on his left foot in 2017, and his foot has healed well. He now needs to undergo the same surgery on his right foot to help him walk comfortably. Surgery is scheduled for March 11 and will cost $1,165. His mother says, "I am humbly requesting for further support from Watsi for my son to walk well without any difficulty."

Yanara is a young student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and siblings on an island off the west coast of Haiti; her father is a fisherman. Yanara has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two large blood vessels near her heart; blood leaks through this hole, leaving her sick and short of breath. On February 11, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Yanara's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "We are happy that our daughter can become normal and stop being sick so often."