Sothea is a 55-year-old food vendor. She is a loving mother to two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. Sothea’s husband passed away many years ago, and now she lives with her youngest daughter who works in a garment factory. When she’s not helping her daughter with the house, Sothea likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Sothea developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing, photophobia and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sothea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there hoping for treatment. On October 13th, 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 your help to fund this $253 procedure. She said, "After surgery, I hope my vision can improve so I can go outside again without trouble, take care of myself and help my daughter with my grandchildren."

Den is a 47-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He and his wife have two sons and one daughter. Their oldest son is married, while the other two children are still students. The family grows rice in the rainy season. In his free time, Den likes to watch boxing on television and listen to the radio. In December 2018, Den fractured his right arm in a motor vehicle accident. He underwent an open reduction/internal fixation procedure at a local hospital, where a plate and screws were placed to stabilize the broken bone. Unfortunately, it has been several years, and he still feels poorly. The hardware is chronically infected and requires debridement. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On September 6th, Den will undergo a hardware removal procedure at CSC's care center, which will resolve the chronic infection and help him to use his arm again. Now, he needs help raising $304 to fund his procedure and care. Den shared, "after surgery, I hope my right arm will have no pain or infection, and I can support my family again."

Daw San is 64-year-old woman who lives with her daughter-in-law in a border town in Thailand. Originally from Burma, she moved to Thailand to live with her son and daughter-in-law after her daughter unfortunately passed away. Daw San is now retired and helps her family with cooking. At the end of 2020, Daw San began experiencing lower back pain and a fever. After receiving an ultrasound at a medical clinic, she was diagnosed with stones in her right kidney. The medic provided her with oral medication and follow-up appointments. At these appointments, she would receive an ultrasound and a refill of her medication. After feeling her symptoms improve, she did not return to the clinic. However, Daw San began experiencing strong pain in her lower abdomen and back this past June. She also began to experience dizziness, difficulty sleeping, a lack in appetite, and pain when using the restroom. After undergoing an ultrasound and X-ray, it was determined that Daw San has very large stones in her right kidney, which need to be broken up through laser treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Daw San receive treatment. On August 3rd, surgeons will perform shockwave lithotripsy to break down and treat the kidney stones. Now, she needs help funding this $1,500 procedure. Daw San shares, “I am very happy to learn that an organization will help pay for the cost of my surgery. I am very thankful to the donors and the organization. When I recover fully, I will go back to my village in Bago Division to live with my aunt.”

Nelvis is a very playful baby boy and the only child in his family. He was born when his mother was still a student in secondary school, form three. She had to take a break from her studies for some time to take care of her newborn baby. They do not receive any support from his father. Early this year, she resumed schooling and Nelvis is under the care of her aunt. When he was born, Nelvis' mother first noticed that something seemed different for Nelvis and his aunt also shared the concern. Nelvis’ grandmother advised them to bring him to BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, he was examined and diagnosed with cryptorchidism where one or both of the testes fail to descend. The medical team has recommended surgery to cure his condition. If left untreated, Nelvis has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Nelvis will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 21st. Now, Nelvis and his family need help raising $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nelvis' mother says, “When I learned that my son needed surgery, I was very much worried and stressed out as I have no money to cater for the surgery.”

Paw is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, son, and daughter in the refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province. Originally from the conflict area of Karen State, Burma, she and her family fled to the refugee camp due to conflict in their area. Today, her daughter goes to school in the camp, while her son stays home because he has an intellectual disability. In her free time, Paw enjoys gardening. Paw and her husband also raise chickens and grow vegetables to supplement their family's diet. Every month, their household receives 1,460 baht (approx. $49) on a cash card from an organization called The Border Consortium to support their day-to-day needs. Sometimes, Paw also receives pocket money from her other son, who works as a security guard in the refugee camp and lives with his wife and children. This amount is not enough to cover their daily needs, so they often have to purchase food on credit, which they pay back at the end of the month. They receive free basic health care at the hospital in the refugee camp, provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand, but surgery there is not available. In early 2020, Paw started to experience pain in her lower abdomen. She also experienced severe back pain, dizziness and nausea when she ate. She went to the hospital in the refugee camp, where she was treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI). When the UTI kept returning, MI staff referred her to Mae Sariang Hospital for further treatment. Paw went to that hospital in February 2020, where she was diagnosed with a stone in her right kidney and acute pyelonephritis, a bacterial infection causing inflammation of the kidneys. She was admitted for five days and received treatment for the infection. Afterwards, she was referred to Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further treatment for the kidney stone. In July 2020, MI staff brought Paw to CMH, where she received various x-rays. Doctors confirmed her diagnosis, but also diagnosed her with severe hydronephrosis, or a buildup of urine, in her right kidney. She received a catheter to drain urine from her kidney, and was brought back to CMH every three months to change the catheter. The doctor also scheduled Paw to have the stone removed from her right kidney on October 31st. Our partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is asking for financial assistance to help Paw pay for this surgery. Currently, Paw experiences pain and has difficulty sleeping. Traveling to the hospital regularly is also difficult for her family. Paw thinks a lot about her future and shared: “In the future I want to buy and raise a pig and more chickens. I do not want to be resettled in another country because I love living near my siblings. If they [my siblings] are resettled, I might go with them."

Rosette is a 47-year-old woman who has two grown children: a married daughter and a son who works as a casual laborer. Rosette and her husband practice small scale-farming, which Rosette uses to supplement her income from a small food vending business. Rosette has been experiencing troubling symptoms, including pain and swelling on her neck, for some time now. As a result, Rosette cannot carry anything on her head, which negatively affects her business. Upon review, doctors diagnosed her condition as a nodular goiter and determined that she needs to undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Rosette receive treatment. On May 17th, she will undergo a thyroidectomy. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to help fund Rosette's surgery. Rosette says, “I had given up on my care because I need more money than I can afford. I beg for your support and will be very glad when I get surgery to enable me to do well in my activities.”

Munty is a 12-year-old sixth grader, who is the eldest of three siblings. His parents are rice farmers. Munty enjoys math at school, and would like to be a math teacher when he grows up. Munty likes swimming, playing football with his friends, and watching TV. Last year he fractured his right forearm while playing with his friends after school. He had surgery, and hardware was placed in his arm at a local hospital to help repair the fracture. Munty's arm has healed, and he is looking forward to having the metal removed from his arm so he can get back to his usual activities without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 2nd Munty will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $304. After this procedure, Munty will be able to regain the strength in his arm and his risk of future infections will be limited. "I hope that the metal in my arm will be removed. I want to heal quickly, so I can play with my friends again."

Aleeson is a three-year-old who needs open-heart surgery. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his parents and one older brother; his father is an accountant and his mother is a homemaker. Aleeson was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. As a result of these defects, his heart cannot adequately provide oxygen to his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. Doctors will perform open-heart surgery to repair these defects and to allow his heart to function fully. As the care he needs is not available in Haiti, Aleeson will fly to Italy to receive treatment and on September 27th, he will undergo life-saving cardiac surgery. Aleeson's family needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. 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 his family overseas. Aleeson's father shared: "Our family feels very lucky to have this wonderful chance for our son's surgery."

Mi Mi is a hardworking 40-year-old woman from Burma who lives alone and likes to read religious books in her free time. She previously worked as a domestic worker, but she had to stop once her condition worsened. Four months ago, Mi Mi's left foot became swollen. She gradually developed a painful abscess on her left foot. She attempted to treat herself with traditional medicine, but it only worsened the abscess. Despite her desire to seek treatment at a clinic or hospital, her financial constraints prevented her from doing so. She is currently unable to walk due to the pain and pus in her foot. She also experiences pins and needles in both of her legs and has difficulty sleeping at night. Fortunately, neighbors arranged for her to be brought to our medical partner's care center, Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH). At the hospital, doctor examined her left foot and diagnosed her with cellulitis, a bacterial skin infection. Mi Mi is scheduled to undergo a procedure to drain the abscess on July 26th at MCLH. Our medical partner is requesting $760 to fund this procedure, which will cover medication, supplies, inpatient care, physical therapy, and travel to the hospital. After surgery, Mi Mi's symptoms will hopefully be alleviated, and she will be able to walk again. Mi Mi says, "When I learned a charity organization will help pay for my treatment cost, I felt very happy. I want to say thank you to all the donors and everyone else who has helped me."

Wennie is a hardworking 24-year-old from the Philippines who is currently unable to work due to her condition. She lives with her elder sister. Her sister's husband, who works as a fisherman, serves as their family's sole provider. Wennie experienced abdominal pain for five months before she decided to get herself checked at our partner care facility, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. There, Wennie was advised to undergo an ultrasound, which revealed she has gallstones that need to be surgically removed. Wennie reached out to our medical partner, the World Surgical Foundation Philippines, in hopes of receiving financial assistance for her much-needed treatment. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on June 29th to treat her condition. A portion of the cost of her care is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP raising the remaining $826 to cover the cost of Wennie's procedure. “This surgery will free me from pain. Since we can't afford this treatment, your support is a big help for me,” Wennie shared. “I want to thank God, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and Watsi for helping me. Without all your support, we wouldn't know where else to find help."

Guerdina is a 15-year-old girl who lives in the mountains of central Haiti with her parents and four siblings. When she was 10 years old, Guerdina suffered from rheumatic fever. Her illness severely damaged one of the valves of her heart, making it unable to adequately pump blood through her body. In 2019, she underwent a surgery to repair her damaged heart valve. That procedure helped for several years, but her repaired valve is becoming less functional and now needs to be replaced with an artificial valve. After surgery, Guerdina's heart should be able to pump more normally and her doctors share that she should be able to lead a full and active life. Because the surgery she needs in not available in Haiti, Guerdina must travel overseas to receive surgery. On June 2nd, she will undergo heart surgery with the Cardiac team at the Cleveland Clinic, where surgeons will replace her mitral valve. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Guerdina's family raise $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medication, and follow-up appointments. This will also support her family to obtain passports and the HCA social workers who will accompany Guerdina's family during their travels. Guerdina shared, "my entire family and I would like to say thank you to everyone who has been helping me!"

Loucken is a 16-year-old student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and three siblings in a neighborhood outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Loucken enjoys making art, listening to music, and going to school and church. Loucken has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. As a result, blood leaks through this hole, leaving him feeling weak and unable to be active. Fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), can help Loucken receive treatment. Treatment is not available in Haiti, but on May 11th, he will fly to the Dominican Republic to undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch. HCA is covering the cost of Loucken's surgery, so Loucken's family is requesting assistance to help fund the $1,500 surgery preparation and travel costs. This cost includes all labs, medication, appointments, passports, and the help of a social worker from HCA who will accompany Loucken's family as they travel internationally. Loucken shared, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to start playing soccer with my friends."