Racheal is a 16-year-old girl from Uganda who has faced significant health challenges. Her journey began three months ago when she started experiencing persistent abdominal pain and discomfort. Upon medical evaluation, she was diagnosed with an intestinal perforation, a life-threatening condition that required urgent surgical intervention. Four months ago, Racheal underwent an exploratory laparotomy, which involved opening her abdomen to address the perforation. As part of her treatment, she received an ileostomy, an opening created in her abdomen to divert waste. Thankfully, she responded well to the surgery and was discharged in stable condition. Recently, her mother has brought her in for a follow-up. Racheal is the fifth of eight children, and both her parents are hardworking small-scale farmers. They live modestly in a three-room mud house on their small plot of land, relying on sharecropping to make ends meet, working on other people's farms and sharing the harvest with the landowner. Her mother has exhausted all available resources, including taking loans from small banks and SACCOs, to cover her daughter’s medical expenses. Despite their efforts, they now face the heartbreaking reality that they are unable to afford the upcoming surgery that could restore Racheal’s health and normal life. For the past six months, Racheal has been unable to attend school due to her fragile health. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Racheal receive treatment. On October 9th, she is scheduled for stoma reversal surgery to regain normal bodily functions, return to her studies, and pursue a brighter future. Now, Racheal's family needs help to fund this $279 procedure. Her mother expresses her gratitude and hope: “I thank God for guiding us to Ibanda Hospital. I kindly seek assistance because we cannot afford the surgery. I promise to care for my daughter, and once she recovers, she will continue her studies and pursue her dreams.”

Birtukan, a 15-year-old girl from Ethiopia, is locked in a heartbreaking struggle with a chronic illness. Her youth is overshadowed by persistent pain that has tragically barred her from the classroom, leaving her emotionally adrift and isolated. Her mother is a single parent facing insurmountable challenges. She works tirelessly, each hour a testament to her love. Every resource is stretched thin, every penny allocated to the relentless pursuit of medical treatments that could offer a glimmer of hope for Birtukan. Providing basic necessities for the family has become a constant, exhausting battle. Birtukan suffers from osteomyelitis, an infection within the bone which causes inflammation and destroys bone tissue. She needs surgical treatment, but her family is unable to afford the cost of treatment. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is helping Birtukan receive treatment. On March 5th, she will undergo a procedure known as sequestrectomy, where surgeons will remove dead bone and tissue within the infected area. Now, Birtukan's family needs help to fund this $900 procedure. Birtukan says: "I look forward to being able to go back to school, reconnect with my friends, and live a healthier life without pain."

Monic is a 34-year-old woman from Uganda. She has been a Catholic nun of the Sacred Heart of Jesus congregation for eight years. She is part of a family of seven, with two brothers and four sisters. Monic loves volunteering in her free time. She takes care of the sick and disabled in her community. Monic lives in the convent with other nuns, there she also farms and studies accounting and finance. Monic has been experiencing right pelvic pain and uncomfortable urinary symptoms for three years. She's tried multiple kinds of treatment, and nothing has alleviated her symptoms. Upon seeing the doctor at Karoli Lwanga Hospital she was examined, and imaging revealed a dermoid cyst, a benign cyst that can cause severe pain. She was advised to undergo a cyst removal surgery with the hope of a complete recovery. Our partner, African Mission Healthcare is requesting $220 to fund Monic's surgery. Monic says, “I hope to get well and continue with my activities in good health once am given a chance to get operate under your support."

Meet Leah, a joyful 43-year-old woman from Kenya. She is married with three children. Leah and her husband work casual labor jobs to provide for their family. She has been experiencing worrisome thyroid symptoms for four years. She visited our medical partner’s care center previously for a thyroidectomy. Following the procedure, a pathology test showed signs of a hurthle cell carcinoma, a malignant tumor on the thyroid gland. The surgeons advised that Leah undergo a complete thyroidectomy to prevent any other issues from arising. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Leah receive the treatment she needs to finally heal. On February 27th, she will undergo a full thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. AMH is requesting $936 to fund this procedure, and Leah and her family are requesting assistance with the cost of her care. Leah shared: “I underwent my first procedure successfully, and I thank God that I know early that the tumor is malignant. Kindly help me undergo my second procedure so that I may be able to live without problems in the future.”

Heng is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia in the 11th grade. His father is a roof builder and his mother stays at home. He has two older sisters who live at home, but have finished school and work outside of the home. In his free time, Heng enjoys reading books, exercising, fishing, and listening to music. At school, he likes math and would like to go into Information Technology. In June 2022, Heng was in a motorcycle collision where he fractured his right shoulder, femur, and hand, as well as both clavicles and several facial bones. His family took him to a local government hospital for surgery, but five months later, he still cannot move his right shoulder, elbow, wrist, or fingers. 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. Heng has difficulty with daily tasks, feels poorly, and has stopped going to school due to his injury. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Heng receive treatment. He traveled to CSC's care center, the only center in Cambodia where the required treatment is available. On November 14th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to move his shoulder and use his hand. Now, he needs help raising $709 to fund his procedure and care. Heng's mother shared, "we hope Heng will recover and use his shoulder and arm again after surgery."

BB Martine is a 10-month-old baby from Haiti. He is his parent's only child. They shared how much he likes to smile and the joy this brings to them. BB Martine 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, BB Martine has been experiencing an increasing head circumference, which is very worrisome for their family. Without treatment, BB Martine will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for BB Martine 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 April 13th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from BB Martine's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, BB Martine will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. BB Martine's family is hopeful that with treatment, their son will have a chance at a healthy childhood.

Kom Phim is a 75-year-old woman with one son, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Sadly, her husband passed away five years ago. Now, Phim lives with her eldest son who is a farmer. In her free time, Kom Phim likes listening to Khmer and Thai dramas. Five years ago, Kom Phim developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Kom Phim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight hours seeking treatment. On February 9th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Kom Phim shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see well. I want to go out easily, recognize things well, travel far, and help my son look after my grandchildren."

Sarah is a 5-year-old girl from Haiti. She is typically a healthy and active girl and is very loved by her family. Sarah 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, Sarah has been experiencing severe headaches. Sarah had a shunt placed when she was an infant for treatment and it allowed her to develop normally. The recent headaches alerted the doctors that the shunt stopped working and needed to be replaced. Without treatment, Sarah will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Sarah at Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on December 7th. This critical treatment will replace the shunt and drain the excess fluid from Sarah's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Sarah will hopefully continue to develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Their family is grateful that Sarah will be able to continue to have a happy life after the shunt is replaced.

Peace is a 43-year-old teacher and mother of three from Uganda. Her eldest daughter finished university recently but is not yet employed while Peace's other two children are still in school. Peace graduated as a third grade teacher and has since been teaching. During her free time, she loves tending to her domestic animals and farming. Since the Covid-19 pandemic arrived, her employment has been affected. Her husband is a boda-boda (cargo bike) driver but the income is also small to make ends meet and afford sufficient medical care. Peace was experiencing lower abdominal pain for the past two years ago. She has been diagnosed with cystocele with a poorly healed 3rd-degree tear. She tried seeking treatment from a different health center but could not receive the treatment due to the cost of surgery. Her friend recommended she visit Nyakibale Hospital. She was reviewed and her doctors recommended uterine prolapse repair surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 24th, Peace will undergo surgery. She will be free from the pain which she experiences daily. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting support to fund this treatment. Peace says “I am worried I may lose my family but I have hope that once I am operated on, all will be fine and I will be relieved from this discomfort and pain.”

Dinavensi is a 48-year-old mother from Uganda. She shared with us that sadly five of Dinavensi's children have passed away and her living children have special needs and rely on Dinavensi daily. Dhinavensi works hard as a laborer whenever she can find the work. Recently, Dinavensi was working on a banana plantation and collapsed. She was soon transported to a local clinic where she was transferred to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare's (AMH) care center. Her neighbors pooled money to ensure she was able to be transported to the hospital. She had been experiencing heavy bleeding, a backache and general body weakness for some weeks now. Dinavensi has been diagnosed with menorrghagia and uterine myoma. If not treated, Dinavensi is at risk of suffering from severe anaemia and future complications. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy. AMH is requesting $219 to fund Dinavensi's surgery. Once recovered, Dinavensi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and go back to taking good care of her children. Dinavensi shared, "I am afraid that without treatment, bleeding will continue and my health will deteriorate. I am the only one my children rely on. Please help me to be treated."

Sorn is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. She enjoys taking care of her grandchildren and visiting the pagoda. Sorn has a growing mass in her lower eyelid which has been diagnosed as basal cell carcinoma. Her neighbor encouraged her to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) to see if she could be treated. Fortunately, on September 23rd, surgeons at CSC will perform excision and skin flap procedure to remove the growth. Now, she needs help to fund this $657 procedure. Sorn said, "I really hope after this surgery I feel better and am comfortable again."

Thy is a 63-year-old farm worker from Cambodia. She has one son, four daughters, and ten grandchildren. She works at a local rubber farm. Thy lives with her daughter and her grandchildren since her husband passed away seven years ago. When she is not working, she loves to take her grandchildren on walks to play outside. She is also a devout Christian, and shared that she likes to read the bible everyday. Seven years ago, Thy developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her severe irritation, burning, and tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Thy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. Thy needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for September 8th. Thy said, "I hope that after this procedure, I can see well enough to continue my job, and that I can play well with my grandchildren and enjoy being outside with them."