Shine is a three-month-old baby boy from Thailand. He lives with his family in Mae Sot, Tak province. Since he was one month old, Shine has had a right inguinal hernia. The hernia is at risk of becoming strangulated, or cut off from circulation of the blood supply, which can damage or kill the tissue. Fortunately, on February 14, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Shine's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 14 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably.

Sam Chai is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two daughters and enjoys gardening outside his house. Two years ago, he fell off his motorbike and has been noticing hip pain ever since. He cannot work or walk long distances, and it's difficult to look after his family. Fortunately, Sam Chai learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sam Chai of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 12, and Sam Chai needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can get back to work like before."

Po is a 44-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children in a rural village. She and her husband are subsistence farmers, growing peanuts and beans. Po was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. She began to experience frequent tiredness in 2014, and her symptoms intensified in 2017. She could not walk long distances due to heart palpitations. She often feels dizzy and even loses her appetite during extreme tiredness. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Po. The treatment is scheduled to take place on December 13 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Po says, “I hope to continue to work on the farm with my husband. And bring my children back to take care of them. I want to be cured of my condition and I am not worried about having to go through a surgery. I believe in the surgeon who will take care of my condition.”

Than is a 49-year-old woman who lives with her father in Burma. She works as a fruit vendor and takes care of her father. Than’s health problems started over ten years ago, when she noticed that she had breathing problems. She tried to use traditional medicine to treat herself. At first, Than felt better, but in 2017 her health worsened. She cannot breathe well, and gets tired in hot weather. She underwent a heart examination and was told that she requires heart surgery, which is scheduled for November 20. Than said that in the future, "I want to work as a fruit vendor again and continue caring for my father." Watsi is requesting $1,500 to help fund Than's treatment.

Mary is a nine-year-old student from Kenya. She lives with her parents and has six siblings. Mary’s mother is a subsistence farmer and housewife, and her father is a farmer. Mary has a spinal deformity whereby her spine is curved backward. Two years ago, she visited a hospital for treatment but did not have the funds required to receive treatment. Mary has difficulty with walking and standing. The pain has also impacted her studies. Having heard of Watsi’s programs with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), they decided to seek help. Our medical partner, AMHF, is requesting $1,500 to fund Mary’s surgery. An anterior/posterior spine fusion is scheduled for October 18. “I am appealing to Watsi to help my daughter get treatment as this will brighten her future and improve her self-esteem. I will be happy to see her growth and I wish her the very best in her life," Mary’s mother says.

Dorcas is a four-year-old girl from Kenya. Dorcas was born with clubfoot, a condition in which the feet are rotated inwards at the ankle. As a result, Dorcas’s feet knock each other when she tries to walk and she experiences severe pain due to her deformity. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Dorcas is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her clubfoot on July 3. Her family is requesting $1,224 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After her recovery, Dorcas will be able to walk, stand, and play free of pain. “My life’s dream is to see all of my children one day become independent. I cannot afford the amount to cater for my daughter’s surgery and your help will be of great importance to her. God bless you," her father says.

Doloff is a 42-year-old farmer from a small village in Malawi. A cyst on her hand has made it difficult for her to work, and she has been unable to receive surgical care until now. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $340 to fund Doloff's cyst removal surgery, scheduled for July 18. After her recovery, Doloff will be able to resume her work and daily activities free of pain. "Thank you Watsi," Doloff says.

Meet Merlina, a 48-year-old mother of three who lives in the Philippines. Merlina is a housewife and also works with her daughter to sell barbecue for additional income. 20 years ago, Merlina began to experience goiter symptoms after having her third child. Her enlarged thyroid gland causes daily discomfort and makes it difficult for Merlina to swallow. Merlina visited our medical partner, International Care Ministries, where she was diagnosed and advised to undergo a thyroidectomy. Merlina's thyroid will be removed on May 17. The care center requests $1,222 for the procedure. Merlina is unable to fund the surgery, but wishes to return to a normal life without pain and discomfort. She says, "Twenty years is long enough. I want to end this condition I have right now. This is a big hindrance to my desires and the things I want to do. I hope and pray you will continue your support."

Kabonesa is an 84-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a mother of six and works as a small scale farmer to support her family. About 20 years ago, Kabonesa developed an abnormal swelling near her middle abdomen. She has been experiencing pain after eating and sometimes feels as if the food is trapped above her stomach. Due to the pain, she is also unable to bend, work, or lift heavy items. She reported her symptoms to a local hospital at the beginning of this year and was diagnosed with a hernia. Advised to have surgery but unable to afford the treatment, she sought out our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, in search of assistance. If not treated, Kabonesa may suffer internal tissue damage due to an obstruction of oxygen flow. Kabonesa is now scheduled to undergo surgery on May 17 to repair the hernia. She is requesting $249 to cover the expenses of the procedure. Kabonesa says, "I have pain from a hernia. I am requesting assistance." After surgery, she hopes to resume farming in order to grow more food to continue taking care of her family.

Mtendehe is a 40-year-old man from the village of Matale in Malawi. Mtendehe lives with his wife, and they have two children. Mtendehe works as a truck driver. When he has free time, he likes to hang out with his wife and kids. Since 2014, Mtendehe has been living with an inguinal hernia that has been incredibly bothersome to him. He is often in pain, and the hernia is getting worse as time passes. Mtendehe has a limited income and has not been able to pay for an operation. When he learned about Watsi, he was thrilled. Mtendehe is looking forward to having his hernia repaired so he can live a pain-free life. On April 11, Mtendehe will undergo surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund his treatment. "Thank you for helping me!" says Mtendehe.

Baby Emerson lives with his parents in rural Guatemala. He is an active little boy who likes to play with toy cars and eat bananas. His mother takes care of him and looks after the house, while his father works as a tailor. Emerson has been diagnosed with severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. His body does not have the energy to grow, and his weakened immune system leaves him vulnerable to opportunistic infections. Fortunately, malnutrition is very treatable. On March 20, Emerson will start his treatment program. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), will provide Emerson with food and micronutrient supplements. Emerson's parents will also be visited by community health workers, who will teach them how to prepare nutrient-rich meals for their son. His mother shares with WK that she is "ready and willing to learn how to do this." With $492, we can help Emerson recover and give him the chance to grow into a strong and healthy young boy.

Meet Samen, a married father of three sons. He enjoys chatting with his friends and neighbors and listening to the news on the radio. One year ago, Samen developed cataracts in both eyes, causing blurred vision. Samen has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going anywhere by himself. He is worried about going blind. After hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor, Samen traveled with his wife for four hours to reach CSC. Surgeons at CSC will perform a small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation in each eye on February 13. CSC is asking for $292 to help Samen see clearly again.