Robert is a matatu, or public transportation, driver and the father of two children aged 16 and 7 years. He recently separated from his wife, so Robert currently lives alone in their home in Magina, Kenya. On the June 26th, Robert was injured in a road accident and sustained twin fractures on his thigh and leg. Robert is now unable to walk on his own. Fortunately, our partner surgeons can help. On June 30th, Robert is scheduled to undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, to help him walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMH), is requesting $672 to fund this procedure. Robert is anxious to return to work, "My legs are my source of livelihood. I need this surgery to be able to get back on my feet and fend for myself and my kids.”

Yee is a 65-year-old grandmother from Thailand. She lives with her daughter, son-in-law, and five grandchildren. Yee is a homemaker and takes care of her youngest grandchildren. Her daughter and her eldest grandson are agricultural day labourers, and her son-in-law works as a carpenter. Yee has abdominal pain that becomes more severe after she eats. She is now longer able to do any household chores due to her condition. Doctors have advised Yee to undergo a cholecystectomy, a procedure where her gallbladder is surgically removed. If left untreated, Yee'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), Yee is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on December 28th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Yee's procedure and care. Yee shared, "I am scared to have surgery but I will have to be strong and I hope that my pain will be gone after I receive surgery."

Amira is a four-year-old preschooler from Cambodia wtih two younger sisters. Her father is a merchant and her mother works in their home. When she is not at school, Amira loves playing with her sisters! One year ago, Amira had a serious ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Amira experiences pain, discharge, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others already making it difficult for her to learn in school. Amira traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 18th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her mother said, "I hope she will not be in pain anymore, and her ear discharge will stop and hearing will improve."

Nasiti is a young girl from Tanzania. She is a four-year-old girl and the firstborn child of two children. Nasiti was unfortunately involved in a fire accident when she was two years old, due to the spillage of hot water from a cooking pot over the fire. She was rushed to the hospital and admitted for a month, and then advised to continue home care and visit a dispensary for local treatment. Nasiti sustained severe burns, and is not able to fully stretch her right hand. She also has contractures on her right axillar and elbow that severely limit her arm movement. This makes it hard for her to use both of her hands in daily life activities. Her parents are small-scale farmers with a few cattle, and they depend solely on what they harvest for their living. Due to financial challenges, they could not continue her inpatient treatment nor seek additional treatment for her contractures. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nasiti receive treatment. On October 14th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help release bother her axilla and elbow to give her more range of motion. She will also be able to utilize her hand with ease. Now, Nasiti needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Nasiti’s mother says, “My daughter is unable to use her right hand in her day-to-day activities. Please help her as the cost is too high for us to afford.”

Max is a young boy from a rural village in Kenya and the only son in his family. He recently lost his dear mother who passed on after a long battle with diabetes and heart complications. Their family is currently servicing debts accrued from his mother’s several visits to different facilities as they were forced to deposit their grandfather's title deed to be able to bury Max's mother. His father is a driver who used to work for a private lorry owner. However, he lost his job because of his continued absence from work to take care of Max’s mother during her numerous hospital admissions. On August 20th, Max broke his arm while scaling an 8ft. ladder on their farm in the Kiambu region. Unfortunately, he tripped and came down tumbling, causing him to break his arm. He is in pain and cannot use his left hand at all now. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 23rd, Max will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and he will be able to use his hand with no pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Max’s father shared, “If my son doesn’t get this surgery, he might not be able to use his arm again. He is young with a full life ahead of him.”

Nigel is a small boy from Kenya. Nigel’s mother used to work in people’s homes before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the financial strains that COVID-19 has caused, work is now very hard to come by. His father is a casual laborer in a construction site near their home. They only make just enough money for their family to live on. Nigel was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Nigel is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 7th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nigel’s mother shared, “Since we are unable to raise any money for my son’s treatment, the financial help offered would be of great help.”

Edwin is a fifteen year old boy from Kenya. He was brought by his mother to a medical camp organized by our partner hospital, Cure International. He is in the eighth grade and very bright. His mother is a housewife while the father is a mason. Edwin was born with a condition known as hemiplegia, a weakness that results from damage to the part of the brain that controls muscle movements. This damage may occur before, during or shortly after birth. Therefore, the entire left side of his body is weak and he cannot see with his left eye. He is currently not able to walk and he keeps falling. The condition is worsening and lowering his self-esteem which is affecting his schoolwork. He is an aspiring engineer but is worried that the condition will hinder him from achieving his goals. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. They are now requesting your help to fund this $1,224 surgery that will repair a congenital foot deformity. “My prayer is for my son to receive help, undergo the surgery, and continue with his life like other children. I would love to see him healthy and able to pursue his dream. I would greatly appreciate any kind of help,” Edwin’s mother shared.

Nibleti is an 8-month-old baby from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of two. Nibleti’s parents are small-scale farmers who depend entirely on what they harvest from their land. Nibleti 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, Nibleti has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Nibleti will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $802 to cover the cost of surgery for Nibleti that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 15th and will drain the excess fluid from Nibleti's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Nibleti will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Nibleti's mother says, "Please help us so that our son is able to get this surgery, he is suffering and we are unable to afford the cost."

Thi is a 31-year-old woman who lives with her husband, father-in-law, nephew and daughter in Shwepythar Town in the Yangon Division of Burma. Thi is a homemaker while her husband is an electrician. Thi’s nephew and her daughter are students. In mid-February 2019, Thi developed a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing. She went to the nearest clinic where she received an injection and oral medication to treat her fever and cough. When she took the medication she felt better, but the next day, she had difficulty breathing, felt tired, had a sharp pain in her chest, and a rapid heartbeat. She then went to a hospital in Yangon, where she received another injection, oral medication, and an x-ray. After the doctor diagnosed her with asthma, she also received a nebulizer for her asthma. Once the doctor checking her had the x-ray results, the doctor told her that her heart is enlarged and referred her to another hospital for further investigation. There she received an echocardiogram (echo) and another x-ray. After her results came in, the doctor told her that her heart valves are not working well and that she might have to replace two of the valves in her heart. She was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve stenosis, and aortic valve regurgitation. The doctor also told her that the surgery would cost 2.5 million kyat (approx. 2,500 USD). Thi could not afford to pay such a large amount and when she told the doctor this, the doctor provided her with oral medication every month. She did not feel better after she took the medication. Last month, Thi’s husband was setting up the electricity in his friend’s house when he met a cardiologist. The doctor had come to look after his friend’s sister, who has a heart condition. Thi’s husband had told his friend about Thi’s heart condition and his friend introduced him to the cardiologist. After he told the doctor about Thi’s condition, the doctor told him to bring her in to his office with her medical records. After they came into his office and doctor reviewed her medical records, he referred her to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Pinlon Hospital to finally receive the treatment she needs. Currently, Thi feels tired, has difficulty breathing and cannot walk long distances. Aside from her symptoms, she is very stressed and upset about her financial situation. In her free time, Thi likes to do housework and bring her daughter to and from school. In the future, when she is fully recovered, she would like to work as a seamstress and save money for her family. Thi said, “I think too much about my condition and worry about the treatment’s cost. So, I cannot sleep at night and I have a small appetite.” Thi’s husband said, “I have to accompany her whenever my wife visits the hospital. My daughter and I have had to stop working and attending school whenever she is sick. I feel bad for my wife because she cries every night since she found out that she needs to receive surgery.” Thi added, “I am very afraid to die and to lose my family as my daughter is still young.”

Chea is a 57-year-old food seller from Cambodia. He has three children, and enjoys chatting with his friends and watching Khmer boxing on television. One year ago, Chea developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 6th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Chea said, "I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can go outside on my own and cook food again"

Duncan is a 30-year-old man who is the 3rd and last born in his family from Rita Village, Kathiani, Machakos County. Duncan completed his studies last year at Kenya College of Accountancy (KCA). His passion is to become a competent accountant and work in government offices. While on his daily routine and walking through town dropping his CV, he suffered an accident on the road and the vehicle that knocked him sped off. He was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital where he underwent multiple surgeries. Due to financial constraints, he was discharged without further interventions. He currently uses a wheelchair to get around, a condition which I making him live an uncomfortable life--a life he had not even imagined or thought he would have. Duncan came to Watsi Medical Partner's care center CURE Hospital this month and was scheduled to undergo 3 different surgeries: Rt distal femur, Rt proximal tibia, and Orif of Rt distal humerus. The family is in dire need of help for surgery to take place. They have gone to different places seeking for help but they haven’t received any. Watsi's partner met Duncan at a clinic in the Machakos area and he asked for help. “I am pleading for support from well-wishers to help me undergo surgery and resume my normal life,” Duncan told us.

Adere is a nice thirteen year old boy who loves to go to school and study. He is in grade six and loves music. He spends his free time listening to country music and also loves to dance with his friends. His parents are farmers of teff and maize. But their harvest from their farm is very limited because of the hot and dry landscape. The population in the area is mostly supported by the government and NGOs for food and other basic needs. His parents have 12 children. Three of them are dependently living and the rest of the children are supported by their parents. Adere was born with congenital anomaly called Bladder Exstrophy. The child’s bladder is open to the air and not within the body. He leaks urine directly to his abdomen. As a result, he has bladder exposed to dirt which can cause infections and injury. Adere suffers from pain from irritation of the bladder, infection, and a bad smell from the continuous urinary leakage for the past years. In his classroom, he sits far from other students in the back alone. He mostly prefers to be alone, psychologically affected by the bad smell. His parents are always very worried and concerned because of his condition. They took him to a clinic in their area when he was a child, and the clinic told them this has to be treated in referral hospital. Their village is very rural that they couldn’t get to a hospital and the parents couldn’t bring him to the capital. Adere's brother said, “I believe he will have a normal life, free from any smell and psychological concerns.”