Judith is a middle-aged woman with lower back pain problem that has persisted for over 8 years. Judith has tried managing the condition with injections, medical pills and physiotherapy sessions. The interventions have not been fruitful as she recently started using a walking stick to attain balance. Judith was referred to our facility by a neighbour and upon MRI imaging, she had spinal fusion surgery recommended. If not treated, the pain will persist which might weaken her walking gait further. Judith is a mother of three children and used to work on their farm for subsistence farming but has since stopped. Her husband is employed as a timber yard operator. The family is not able to raise the total funds needed for her surgery and they appeal for financial assistance.

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."

Mi is a 57-year-old teacher from Thailand. She lives with her family in Mae Sot. Her husband is a day laborer, two sons of her go to school, and her daughter is a seamstress in the factory. Mi has a fracture in her left hip bone. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Mi will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 12 and will cost $1,500. She will be able to walk and teach again. Her husband says, “I feel very sad to see my wife in pain."

Zaw is 15-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his mother, grandmother, twin sisters, and two older brothers. Last year he dropped out of school to help his mother run a food stall. In May, Zaw was playing tag with his friend. He climbed a tree but slipped and fell, breaking his left femur. Zaw is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Zaw will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 31 and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help him to walk again in the future.

Watson is a student from Haiti. He lives with his grandparents in Port-au-Prince, and attends a local college where he is seeking a degree in business. Watson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not open and close properly as the result of an infection he suffered earlier in childhood. Watson will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant a mechanical replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $46,000 to pay for surgery. Watson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Watson's family overseas. He says, "I have been looking forward to this surgery for years, and am glad that I can finally have it!"

Paw San is 33-year-old man from Burma. In March, he fell into a ditch. When he got up, the left side of his jaw was swollen and he had blood in his mouth. Paw San had fractured his lower jaw. Currently his injury is getting worse and he is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Paw San will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for April 8 and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help to heal Paw San's jaws properly so that he will be able to chew and eat again. Paw San says, “When I finish receiving treatment for my lower jaw fracture, I have to work and save money to support my daughter. This coming year, she will go to school to start kindergarten.”

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Alex is a young student from Kenya. Alex’s mother sells groceries to support her family. Alex has been diagnosed with encephalocoele, a type of neural tube defect in which brain tissues and overlying membranes protrude through openings in the skull. Encephalocoele usually results from a failure of the neural tube to completely close during fetal development. Without treatment, Alex is at risk of developmental delays, brain damage, or premature death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $929 to fund encephalocoele repair surgery for Alex. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 11. Hopefully, the repair of this condition will allow Alex to grow up healthy. “The swell was really worrying us but we are happy to know so many people have had the same issue and got treated,” says Alex's mother.

Chorn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. She likes to watch Thai TV dramas in her free time. Two weeks ago, Chorn developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, tearing, clouded lenses, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On January 10, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. Her daughter says, "I hope my mom's surgery is successful so she can see better and she can live an independent life."

Serey is a housewife from Cambodia. She has three sons. She likes to spend time with her family and watch TV. Nineteen years ago, she fell off her motorcycle and has experienced hip pain ever since. She cannot walk or work. Fortunately, Serey learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Serey of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for October 16, and Serey needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I look forward to being able to walk again."

Nehemiah is a young boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth in a family of nine kids. Nehemiah has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nehemiah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 14. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Nehemiah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and be able to join school. Nehemiah’s father says, “We are thankful that our son is receiving treatment.”

Jane is a young student from Kenya. She is the youngest in a family of three children. In early November, Jane was playing and she fell and hurt her legs. She sustained a complete closed fracture of her left femur. She is in pain and not able to walk without support. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 15, Jane will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I just want to see my daughter happy and walking well again. I ask for help from Watsi so that she can be treated and heal before going back to school in January,” Jane’s mother says.