Win is a 32-year-old father from Burma. He resides with his wife and six-year-old daughter. Win runs a small jam shop with his wife. During his free time, he enjoys using social media and playing football with his friends. Win was diagnosed with a heart condition that requires valve replacement. Heart valves control the flow of blood between chambers, but certain conditions may narrow the heart valve or cause the blood to flow backwards. Normal valve function is necessary to prevent long term damage to the heart and lungs. Win experiences chest pain, palpitations, and difficulty sleeping due to night sweats. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a heart valve replacement for Win. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13th at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital. Once completed, Win will hopefully live more comfortably and with such high risk from his cardiac condition. Win said, “Thank you for your assistance with my treatment. I’m glad and thankful for the support from BCMF."

Phineace is nearly six years old and a lively student from Kenya. He loves playing with his friends and with toys. His youthful mother was overjoyed when she gave birth to a handsome boy, and she named him Phineace, a name which she says would be close to her name (her name is Phanice). His mother works as a salesperson, selling solar panels. She is paid on commission, which results in limited income. Phineace has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making even the wearing of shoes a problem. Phineace's clubfeet makes it difficult for him to walk. He loses his balance and often falls. Phineace and his mother visited our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital, where the doctors determined they could help. Surgeons will perform clubfoot treatment on October 24. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Phineace's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Phineace hopefully will be able to stand upright, stop walking on tiptoes and no longer have to crawl to avoid falling. Hopefully, he will be able to walk well, run, play with his friends and continue with his education like other children. “I am appealing to the people of goodwill to help my son undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Phineace’s mother told us.

Xavena is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her sister's family in a small farming village in central Haiti. She previously worked tailoring clothes but has been unable to work in recent years due to her cardiac illness. Xavena has a heart condition called severe rheumatic aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart was severely damaged by an infection she suffered earlier in her life. The cardiac surgery Xavena needs is not available in her country so she will need to fly to the United States to receive treatment. On October 18, Xavena will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will surgically remove her damaged heart valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Xavena's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up medical care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. Xavena shaed: "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will have the energy and strength to return to work and pursue my goals in life."

Maly is a 12-year-old 6th grader who lives in Kandal province with her parents and two brothers. Her father is a mango farmer, and her mother sells spices throughout the village and surrounding areas on the back of her bicycle. Her favorite foods are bread with jam, and beef noodle soup. She loves to dance and watch Cambodian dance competition shows on TV. Three years ago, Maly had her ears pierced at a shop in her village. Since then, keloids--large, raised scars--have developed on both ears, and have grown in size. She experiences itchiness and discomfort. She has not yet returned to school this autumn, as she feels too embarrassed. Maly traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 13, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the large masses. Now, Maly's family needs help to raise $273 to fund this procedure. Maly told us she really wants to remove the keloids, and then she will feel better about going back to school.

Htet is a 38-year-old mother of four from Burma. She works as a street vendor, selling vegetables while her husband is currently unemployed. Her eldest daughter works as a money changer. Her other children attend school. During her free time, Htet enjoys visiting with her neighbors. Since November 2022, Htet has been experiencing frequent abdominal pain that has progressively worsened over time. She has been diagnosed with a gallstone. Unfortunately, medications only help relieve her pain temporarily. Htet has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Htet'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), Htet is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on September 19. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Htet's procedure and care. Htet said: "It is impossible for me to pay for the surgery. I was so delighted when I met you and knew that you would help me get surgery. I would like to say thank you so much for your great support."

Meet Cynthia, a shy and reserved girl who lives in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. She is the sixth child among eight siblings. Currently, she attends nursery school at a nearby primary school. Cynthia's parents are small-scale farmers, primarily cultivating maize and beans for their family to eat. They used to have a mango farm, which provided them with additional income, however, their mangoes were destroyed when an unknown person set fire to the farm. To make ends meet, Cynthia's parents sometimes work as casual laborers to earn a modest income for their children, all of whom attend primary school. One afternoon, Cynthia was involved in a motorbike accident while returning from school, resulting in an injury to her left thigh. She received initial treatment and pain relief before being referred to a larger medical facility. Upon assessment, an x-ray revealed that Cynthia had a displaced fracture of the femur shaft. Her left leg appeared shortened, and she experienced significant pain, particularly when the limb was moved. She has been under observation and skin traction at the medical facility for approximately a month now. A recent x-ray showed that while there was some callus formation, the fracture remained displaced. The surgeon with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) recommended surgery as the best option to ensure proper healing and avoid a lifelong discrepancy in limb length. The surgical procedure, an open reduction and internal fixation, is scheduled for August 2nd. This intervention will aid in Cynthia's healing process and restore her ability to use her limb normally. We are fortunate that surgeons with our medical partner, AMH, can provide the necessary assistance. To support Cynthia's surgery and her journey to recovery, AMH is seeking $1145 in funding to cover her treatment costs. Your contribution will make a significant impact on Cynthia's life, granting her the opportunity to heal properly and lead a better life. Cynthia’s mother says, “When I heard that a motorbike hit my daughter, I was worried. I lost a child recently, so I am still recovering, and the unexpected happens again. I cried a lot, but now that she is safe, I am grateful to God. Please help her undergo surgery so that she can grow and walk well.”

Federensi is a 63-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. Her husband works as a farmer as well, and they primarily grow green vegetables that they sell to support their family. Their oldest child is now 43 years old, and their youngest is 18 years old and performing well in school. For 18 years, Federensi has been experiencing abdominal pains. The pains began after she underwent a C-section for her ninth pregnancy. Initially, she thought that her pain would gradually fade away over time. Upon seeking medical advice at a nearby health clinic, Doctors informed Federensi that her numerous deliveries may have been the primary trigger for her abdominal pain. They cautioned her against engaging in strenuous activities and provided her with medication. Unfortunately, the recommendation and the medication failed to relieve her pain. Federensi's abdominal pains have worsened. Now, she cannot lift heavy loads and has stopped farming due to pain. After seeking medical care again, Federensi was diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, a condition that impacts the uterine lining. Doctors recommended she undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 13th, Federensi will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $319 to fund Federensi's surgery. Once recovered, Federensi will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Federensi says, “My productivity has been affected negatively and I can no longer take good care of my family. I pray for a successful surgery to be able to continue with farming after recovery.”

Madelyn is a loving wife and grandmother from the Philippines. She currently lives with her husband and five-year-old grandchild. Ten years ago, Madelyn discovered a lump on her breasts. She had it examined by a healthcare professional and was informed that it appeared to be a fluid-like cyst with a chance to be resolved on its own. Unaware of the potential severity of her condition, she opted to discontinue follow-up checkups. As the years passed, she experienced intermittent, yet tolerable pain. This past March, the pain intensified significantly, accompanied by a palpable mass. These changes alarmed Madelyn to seek medical attention once again. She underwent a thorough assessment and diagnostic tests and was ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Madelyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on May 31st at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $1058 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Madelyn will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. "We are just relying on my husband's income as a driver, which is barely enough to sustain our needs. On our own, we will not be able to afford my needed treatment", Madelyn shared. "I'll be eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for helping me!"