Eldriyan is a 10-month-old baby boy from the Philippines. His father works as a coconut farmer, and his mother is a housewife. Eldriyan was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. When Eldriyan's family learned about our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, they traveled for nine hours to receive treatment. On December 10th, Eldriyan will undergo surgery to correct his condition. After his recovery, he will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Now, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,279 to cover the total cost of Eldriyan's procedure and care. Eldriyan's mother shared, "thank you for the chance towards a better life for Eldriyan."

Two months ago, Victor was born very healthy in a facility near their home. They were discharged and when they arrived home, Victor started to cry and feel uncomfortable. He was not crying too much and his mother did not take it too seriously. The following day, Victor’s aunt visited them and noticed that he was crying a lot. To her, the cry was not normal. She talked to his mother about it and they decided to take a closer look at his belly. A few minutes later, they noticed that his stomach was swollen and later found out that he was not passing stool. They rushed Victor to the facility where he was born and upon examination, Victor was immediately referred to BethanyKids Hospital. Being an emergency, he was brought in an ambulance and taken to an emergency department. He had a colostomy surgery that is the first stage of his treatment. He recovered fully and now he has been scheduled for a second surgery to help heal his condition. Victor is the last born in a family of six children. His parents are not well off financially. Both of them sell groceries and do casual labor when they can find it. The income they earn is just enough to feed the family. His parents are not in a position to raise any extra money for their son’s bill and are asking for financial support. Victor’s mother says, “It is very hard for us to raise any money to cater for Victor’s bill. Thank you.”

Victor is a seven-year-old boy and the oldest child in a family of two children. To earn a living for their family, his mother has been selling clothes for the past five years in a local market near their home and his father is a Boda Boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. Victor has been diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Victor will have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Victor receive treatment. On October 7th, he will undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Victor’s mother shared, "it has been a very stressful journey for us but we believe and hope for the best from this surgery."

Immaculate is a 36-year-old tailor. She is married and has three children. She attended an institute to learn how to tailor, and she also farms to grow food for her family. Her husband sells Chapati (a type of East African flat bread) at a small trading center near their home. For six months, Immaculate has had an epigastric hernia. She experiences lower abdominal pain, particularly when she does strenuous work. She visited our medical partner's care center for examination and surgery was recommended to treat her condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Immaculate receive treatment. On October 14th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at AMH's care center. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Now, she needs help raising $230 to fund her procedure and care. Immaculate shared, "I have tried to seek treatment before but could not access it due to limited finances. I appeal for your help."

Salha is a three-week-old baby girl. She is a second child in a family of two children. Her mother sells vegetables at the market and her father helps in building construction. Salha was born with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Salha's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Salha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes when she grows up. Salha’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get the treatment she needs so she may be able to grow up like other children without being looked at as an outcast.”

Oem is a 70-year-old rice farmer. He and his wife have two daughters, two sons, and three grandchildren. All of his children work as farmers. Due to his age and poor vision, he is unable to go outside much anymore, so he stays at home and takes care of his grandchildren. When he has time, he likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio or listen to the news. One year ago, Oem developed a cataract in his left eye causing him sensitivity to light and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for an hour and a half seeking treatment. On September 20th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Oem shared, "I hope I can see clearly again. I can go to the rice field to help my wife, and I can plant some vegetables and raise some chickens for sale to support my family."

Andrew is a 6-year-old child and currently a student in junior class. He is the last born in a family of three with siblings who are 10 and 7 years old and in primary school. Andrew's parents are small-scale farmers and own a three-room mud house for shelter. They work hard to make ends meet for their family. For six months, Andrew has had a left hydrocele. This developed as an on and off swelling. He was taken to Kabale Referral Hospital and was given medication but without much change. Currently, he has severe pain and develops a persistent cough along with his swelling. His father shared that he cries a lot when the swelling is active. Now doctors at Rushoroza Hospital have recommended surgery, a cost his parents cannot afford. If not treated, the fluid collection may increase with time causing discomfort, impaired quality of life and a risk of infection. Fortunately, on December 14th, Andrew will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund Andrew's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently as he grows up. Andrew's father says, “I pray that my son gets well and normal through surgery. I hope that we get supported because my family cannot afford the surgery. I will continue with farming to be able to sustain my family.”

Darith is a clever three-year-old boy. He has one older sister and one older brother. Darith is in pre-school and enjoys playing with toy trucks with his brother and friends. Darith's father works as a blacksmith. One morning recently, Darith ran to his mother and said he had a lot of pain in his left ear. She put salt water in his ear and saw worm larvae come out. She was very scared and asked villagers where to take her son. They told her to come to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) to see an ENT doctor. The foreign body in his ear is causing Darith to experience pain. Darith's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 29th, surgeons at CSC will remove the foreign body. Now, Darith needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. Darith's mother says, "I want him to get better and hope he is not in pain anymore after the objects are removed."

Chanreth is a 21-year-old, hard working man. He is married and has two daughters. Chanreth's wife is a garment worker. He enjoys listening to music on his phone. Three months ago, Chanreth was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left 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. He is unable to lift his arm, and he cannot work right now because of this. Chanreth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 13th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Chanreth says, "I hope after surgery my shoulder will move again. I have a four-month-old daughter that I would like to take more care of once I am healed."

Taw is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his family in a village in Tak Province, Thailand. Everyone in his family works as a farmer and he's a student in the eighth grade. In September 2021, there was an outbreak of COVID-19 cases around his area and his school was closed. Since then, he helps out his family on the farm. Occasionally, he also helps out in their village to earn pocket money. On November 21st, Taw was riding a motorbike on a small dirt road to his family's fields. He was driving quickly, when suddenly another motorbike appeared driving straight towards him. He tried to move to the side of the road to let the other driver pass, but his motorbike slipped and his left ankle hit a stone beside the road, breaking his ankle in the process. At first he was in a lot of pain, but now the pain has lessened thanks to medication he is taking. However, the area around his left ankle hurts if he tries to move his left foot. Currently, Taw cannot put pressure on his left ankle and has to use crutches to do anything. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Taw will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for November 26th and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Taw will be able to walk again and he will no longer be in pain. Taw said, "I want to get better. My teacher told me that my school will reopen soon. Thank you so much to the donors and the organization who are willing to help me. Without your help, my family could never come up with enough money to pay for my treatment."

Joven is a 14-month-old boy from Haiti who is very loved by his family. Joven 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, Joven has been experiencing growth in his head and without treatment, Joven will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Joven 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 November 19th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Joven's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Joven will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Joven's mom states, "I have been so worried ever since I learned of his diagnosis. The first time I began to have hope was when I heard WATSI may be able to help Joven have surgery."

Melvin is a four-year-old girl. She has a twin brother and lives with her grandmother and her father. Her father works finding jobs wherever he can to support their family. Melvin was born with a condition which is known as genu varum, or bowleggedness. She has had examinations at different hospitals but, unfortunately, her condition has worsened. Currently, she is unable to walk, run, or play with her friends. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Melvin receive treatment. On November 22nd, she is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center. After surgery, she will be able to walk well, play with her friends, and enroll in school. Now, she and her family need help raising $1,224 to fund her procedure and care. Melvin's grandmother shared, "I would love to see my granddaughter walking well like other children. Please support us."