Julian is an 18-year-old student in her third year of secondary education in Uganda. She was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma, a benign breast mass that has been present for the past two years. The lump has affected her psychologically as she often thinking of it as a malignant tumor that may result in painful breast cancer. Julian could not proceed with treatment in a different facility after being reviewed due to financial strain. She heard of Nyakibale Hospital and the surgeon recommended surgery and linked her with Watsi's Partner for possible funding. Julian hopes to have the surgery done and resume her studies with a settled mind. Julian is the second born child in a family of 6 children. Her eldest brother could not proceed with university education due to lack of school fees. Her parents are smallscale farmers. They plant cassava and beans to make ends meet. Her mother takes up tailoring in shops sometimes to earn a living for the family. Julian's father says he is not able to afford the cost of surgery for her daughter and they appeal for help. Julian traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Julian needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Julian's father says, “I hope that my daughter’s condition will improve after her surgery so that she can continue with her studies effectively.”

Aye is a nine-year-old primary school student from Thailand. She lives with her parents and five siblings. Last year, a teacher noticed that Aye was unable to read at long distances. Aye's mother and her teacher took her to our medical partner's care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), and she was referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. At MSH, Aye was told that she has cataracts and she needs surgery as soon as possible. Currently, Aye's eye is blurry and itchy. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Aye. On October 25, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Aye's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure.

Wilson is a little boy from Tanzania. He loves playing and making new friends. Wilson’s parents are both farmers who own a small portion of land. They also work in other people’s farms as casual labors. Wilson was diagnosed with femur genu varus and tibia genu valgus. His legs are bowed. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Wilson feels pain in both his legs when walking or playing and needs crutches or support to move around. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Wilson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Wilson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Wilson’s mother says, “Thank you for helping my son get treatment. God bless you all.”

Meet Norm, a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Norm is married with two sons, three daughters, and nine grandchildren. She enjoys taking care of flowers and joining ceremonies at the pagoda," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Four years ago, Norm developed mature cataracts in each eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. "This causes her blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for her to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside," CSC explains. After learning about CSC, Norm and her son travelled three hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Norm’s sight. With $225, Norm will undergo cataract surgery, during which her old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants, allowing her to see again immediately after her operation.

Im, a 66-year-old woman from Cambodia, is married with one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda to join in ceremonies and listening to the monks pray. Im has entropion of both eyes, which causes her eyelids to turn inward so that the eyelashes scrape the surface of her eyes. This results in blurred vision and burning. She can't see clearly, do work easily, or get around independently. She and her daughter traveled three hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Doctors at CSC will perform a lid correction surgery for $290, which will stop the tearing and burning and will improve her vision. "I hope my eye is looking better now, so that I feel comfortable," shares Im. "I want to work independently and not worry about my eye or disturb another person to take care of me."

Hong is a 66-year-old grandmother living with her family in Cambodia. She is married with three sons, six daughters, and 13 grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda, listening to the monks pray, and participating in ceremonies in her free time. Two years ago, Hong started having blurred vision, and became unable to work well or travel independently. She and her daughter visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). She was found with a cataract in each eye and was recommended surgical treatment. Hong's doctors told her she was in need of a phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in each eye, which will replace her internal lenses and restore her vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $225. Hong's family needs financial assistance to complete payment. Hong will have her vision cleared after full recovery from her surgery and will be able to work independently. “I hope I will see everything clearly," she adds, "and will be able to look after my grandchildren." Her daughter is looking forward to the relief that will come after her mother is independent again.

Meet Melisa, an eight-month-old girl from Guatemala. Melissa is the youngest of five children and is a curious child who loves to play, shares our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). Melisa is acutely malnourished. “Melisa has started to fall away from the growth curve and is losing weight,” shares WK. She has not yet started eating solid food and is still relying on breast milk and a corn-based drink for nutrients. $512 funds a multifaceted intervention for Melisa. “This treatment will help get Melisa back on track. This treatment will supply her with the growth monitoring, supplementation, and medication for her to make a full recovery,” explains WK. “Her mother will receive intensive nutrition education thus building her confidence and ability to take care of Melisa and her siblings.” WK continues, “Melisa will recoup the weight and height she has lost and her energy will improve. Intervention now will prevent the future devastating effects of malnutrition, and give Melisa the chance to live a healthy productive life.” Melisa's mother adds: “I want to learn how to give my children the right amount of food and how I can increase their health.”

"Sunil and his friends were helping set up an electric pole in their village when a branch of a tree that he was on snapped and he fell down, fracturing his foot," shares our medical partner in Nepal, Possible. Besides helping out with the village, 17-year-old Sunil's free time is spent playing football and volleyball. Currently in the 10th grade, he has to take the School Leaving Certificate exam and is worried that his injury will keep him from giving as much attention to academics. Since the accident, Sunil's foot has swollen considerably and feels tender as well. $579 covers the cost of orthopedic surgery, where his bones will be realigned correctly and pins will be used to hold the broken pieces in place. Additionally, Sunil will undergo physical therapy exercises to regain movement, so he can go on playing sports and concentrate on studying for his exams.

"Shekina has been very sick since she was born, and I want her to be healthy and happy," says Shekina's mother, "I pray for a good result from this test." Her daughter Shekina, a three-year-old Haitian girl, needs a diagnostic heart catheterization procedure to determine her eligibility for heart surgery. Shekina's mother has stopped working as a market vendor to take care of her. "Shekina was born with a cardiac condition called complete atrioventricular septal defect, in which multiple holes exist between the upper and lower chambers of her heart," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "Blood flows through these holes in her heart without first passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving her sickly and short of breath." Due to the severity of Shekina's condition, a surgical solution may not be available. However, the only way to determine this is through imaging done with catheterization. "Since this is not possible in Haiti, arrangements are being made to bring her to Dominican Republic to perform this extremely important test in the hopes that she can have heart surgery later in the year," shares HCA. $1,500 covers the cost of the catheter procedure and travel arrangements such as visas and a place to stay. Following the catheterization test, Shekina's family will know with certainty whether her condition is operable or not. HCA tells us that if operable, plans will then be made to move forward with her surgery as soon as possible.