“Srey Nich spends her free time cleaning the house and helping her mother get around,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Srey Nich is a 24-year-old woman from Cambodia. She has cholesteatoma, an abnormal growth of skin behind the eardrum in her left ear. As this skin-lined cyst increases, it erodes bones and promotes the growth of bacteria within the middle ear. This leads to hearing loss and infection. Srey Nich also “experiences pain, hearing loss, tinnitus, and daily ear discharge from her left ear,” adds CSC. “When Srey Nich was a child she began having ear discharge and hearing loss on both sides,” reports CSC. Ten months ago, she underwent surgery to close the perforation on her right middle ear, but now she requires a different type of procedure on her left ear. $809 will fund the mastoidectomy Srey Nich requires to treat her left ear. This procedure involves opening the bone behind the middle ear to remove the bacteria and eliminate infection. This surgical intervention will help to protect Srey Nich from further hearing loss and complications. In addition to this surgery, Srey Nich will receive a routine course of antibiotics as well as follow-up visits to monitor her recovery. Srey Nich says, “I hope my ear discharge stops and I have good hearing, and no more pain."

Hannah is 47 years old and lives with her mother and brother in Kenya. She works to support herself farming potatoes and selling bananas. “Two months ago, Hannah felt a lump in her breast,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She didn't think it was serious, so she continued with her life as usual. However, after two weeks, the lump had grown a lot and Hannah decided to seek a medical opinion.” After speaking with doctors at two different hospitals, they were able to confirm that the lump is cancerous. While it has not spread yet, the doctors have recommended that Hannah undergo a mastectomy and chemotherapy and radiation to prevent the cancer from spreading to other vital organs and becoming fatal. “Hannah is a single mother to a 22-year-old daughter,” shares AMHF. “She has worked very hard to ensure that her daughter has a better life and a good education. Currently, Hannah’s daughter is a third year Bachelor of Commerce student at a local public university.” With living expenses and her daughter’s tuition, she is not able to raise the funds necessary to afford the treatment on her small income. With $740, Hannah will receive the care she needs. In performing the mastectomy, surgeons will remove Hannah’s entire breast. This operation will be followed by a few rounds of chemotherapy and radiation to ensure the cancer is entirely removed. The funds will ensure Hannah and her family do not have to worry about the risks of the cancer spreading. “I have worked hard to ensure that my daughter gets a good education and a better chance in life,” shares Hannah. “My only dream is to see her finish school and live a good life.”

Meet Tin, a 59-year-old wife and mother from Burma who raises cows, chickens, and pigs and plants vegetables near her house. Tin came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) with an ovarian mass. “Six months ago, Tin noticed her first symptoms,” explains BBP. “At that time, she thought she had a stomachache.” Since then, Tin's abdominal pain has persisted, and she has begun to lose weight and feel nauseous whenever she eats. “Currently, Tin experiences pain in her abdomen and back, so she finds it difficult to walk,” says BBP. “She also experiences body pain and headaches, and sometime she gets tired and has difficulty breathing.” The combined income from Tin, her husband, and their adult daughter is enough to cover the family’s daily expenses, but they do not earn enough money to save, and they must borrow funds for health care. Tin’s five married children live in the same village and provide financial help whenever they can. The recommended treatment for Tin is an oophorectomy to remove the affected ovary. $1,500 covers the cost of the surgery as well as a seven-day hospital stay and one outpatient appointment post-surgery. After surgery, “Tin will not be in constant pain and will be able to work again and care for her family,” shares BBP. “I want to be well so that I can work for my family, save money, and have a happy family,” says Tin.

Meet Sib, a 54-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Sib is married with four sons, five daughters and four grandchildren. In her free time she likes to listen to monks praying and watch Chinese drama on TV.” According to CSC, “Sib has a cataract in her left eye.” A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes clouded. This clouded lens disrupts vision and causes discomfort. CSC explains, “The cataract in Sib’s eye makes it very difficult for her to do her work at the farm during the day and then hard to do her duties for her family at night.” Due to her vision loss, “Sib has stopped going to the pagoda because she doesn't feel good trying to walk there without being able to see very well.” With $150 in funding, Sib will receive surgery. Her surgeon will remove the clouded lens of her left eye and replace it with an artificial implant. This treatment will allow Sib to see clearly again. CSC adds that, after surgery, “Sib looks forward to going back to the farm, helping her family with the house work, taking care of her grandchildren and going to the pagoda more often on her own.”

Meet Cho Than, a 53-year-old seamstress and mother from Burma who enjoys planting vegetables in her garden. Known within her community for her generosity, Cho Than often gives the vegetables that she grows to her neighbors and friends. Cho Than has a myoma, more commonly known as a uterine fibroid. Fibroids are benign tumors that grow within the muscle tissue of the uterus, or womb. They can be very small (invisible to the naked eye) or very large (melon-sized) and can present as a single mass or a cluster of several masses. An estimated 80 percent of women have uterine fibroids in their lifetime. While some women who have fibroids have no symptoms, others experience heavy periods, abdominal pain, or constipation. “Cho Than experiences severe pain in her back and lower abdomen,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She has difficulty urinating and it is painful for her to do so. Her condition makes it impossible for her to work and requires her daughter to care for her and support her financially.” The recommended treatment for Cho Than is a total hysterectomy and oophorectomy (surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries). $1500 covers the cost of the surgery as well as a seven-day hospital stay and one outpatient appointment post-surgery. “With surgery, Cho Than will be able to live without pain,” reports BBP. Cho Than looks forward to being healthy again and hopes to be able to return to work as a seamstress. She dreams of owning a small house where she and her daughter can live peacefully.

Mu is a resilient 42-year-old woman who escaped Burma amidst political conflict 10 years ago, and has been living in a refugee camp in Thailand ever since. Mu takes care of her sister, niece, and nephew, and she used to work as a day laborer with her husband to earn an income to support their family. However, she was diagnosed with a uterine myoma, and she experiences severe abdominal pain that prevents her from working. Mu’s family does not have enough money to support themselves and Mu’s care. She tells us, “it is a very big problem. I cannot take care of my niece and nephew, and I cannot work to provide for my family. I want to be able to cook and clean for my family, and I want to be able to return to work as soon as possible.” For $1500, Mu will undergo surgery under the Burma Border Projects’ care. Surgery will remove the tumor and eliminate the abdominal pain and discomfort so that Mu can return to work and supporting her family. Let's help make it happen!

"I know my parents have been very worried because they know that our family is not in a position to pay for the treatment I need," shares Joyce. "They are also scared of what the outcome of the surgery will be. I am very grateful to Watsi for making it possible for me to be treated." 16-year-old Joyce lives in Kenya with her parents and four other siblings. For the past three months, Joyce has been experiencing blurred vision, headaches, and a lack of stability when walking. She was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. "Joyce is unable to attend classes because of severe headache and general drowsiness caused by the tumor in her brain," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Her performance in school has drastically declined, making her teachers and parents concerned. Joyce loves school and hopes to get well soon so that she can go back to school." For $1260, we can fund a craniotomy to remove Joyce's tumor. AMHF expects that Joyce will make a full recovery, and be able to return to school. She will be able to live without any of her current symptoms. "All Joyce's parents wish for is for their daughter to be heathy again. They are deeply saddened that they have not been able to raise the funds necessary for Joyce's treatment," says AMHF. Joyce has big dreams for when she's able to get back to school. "I want to become a surgeon when I grow up. I love Science and Mathematics," she tells us.

Meet Jane, a 50-year-old joyful and loving mother to three children. For almost five years, Jane has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and bleeding as a result of small, benign tumors in the uterus called fibroids. Jane's condition has made normal housework, farming, and socializing difficult. If left untreated, Jane will continue to be in pain and bleed, which puts her at risk for anemia. “Jane is a single lady with three children,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. “Due to her low socio-economic status, she was not able to educate her children to secondary school. Therefore, Jane's children have limited opportunities to help themselves or their mother. Jane's children work as casual laborers with little irregular income. Jane really needs support for this important surgery.” For $790 Jane will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove the fibroids. Jane is expected to recover fully and “will be free from pain, bleeding, and the risk of anemia," adds AMHF. "My children have no one else to look to," shares Jane. "I need to be well to continue guiding them in life. I hope Watsi will support me to have this surgery."

Say hello to Francis, a 50-year-old man living in Kenya. Francis was previously married and he has two kids, but his wife left him when could no longer support his family. “Before the year 2000, Francis was working as a sand lorry loader. Unfortunately, he was involved in a road traffic accident which fractured his left humerus,” shares African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), our medical partner in Kenya. Francis received an open-reduction internal fixation (ORIF ) surgery which corrects a severe, misaligned fracture where the two ends of broken bone are far apart. But recently, Francis fell and the surgical plate broke causing the bone to break again. The bones in his left hand are visibly disconnected and dysfunctional and is causing him severe pain. "Due to this condition, Francis is not able to work, especially because his casual jobs require manual use of the hands,” continues AMHF. “He is therefore unable to raise the money for his surgery... If not treated, Francis may completely lose the use of his hand and become handicapped." For $1,125, Francis will receive the ORIF surgery he needs for his bones to reunite, which will allow him to use his hands and work again. ''My wife left me and I cannot go to my family members to ask them to give me food,” shares Francis. “I am a grown man and I should be able to take care of myself. I hope my hand will be well again, then I can start a small business that will not require manual use of my hands.” Let's help Francis lead an independent and pain-free life!

“I have spent a lot of time thinking about treatment costs and transportation, and am willing to live with cancer rather than the burden it would impose on my family,” explains Daw Myint. “If I recover, I would like to open a shop in front of my house and sell veggies, meat and fish.” Daw Myint is a 56-year-old mother of five children, who lives with her husband and their son in Burma. When she feels well enough to cook, Daw Myint earns a meager income selling snacks. Their son works as a mechanic to pay the family’s rent and bills, and another daughter is occasionally able to send money. Because of their tight finances, Daw Myint has not been able to seek treatment for the heavy flow, dizziness and muscle cramps she has been experiencing for the past two years due to a cervical polyp. “She is extremely concerned that her condition may turn into cancer due to her age,” reports our medical partner Burma Border Projects. “She has lived with her symptoms as a secret because her family doesn’t make enough to live comfortably, and she is also concerned because if she waits longer and her symptoms get worse, she would be more of a burden to her family. If she has cancer, she is willing to live with it untreated because they can’t afford it financially.” For $1,500, we can fund surgery to remove the polyp as well as comprehensive treatment for Daw Myint as she recovers. Let’s help Daw Myint return to her husband, children and grandchildren, and to resume the activities she loves like gardening and cooking to provide for her loved ones!

This is Rachael, a 39-year-old woman from Kenya who lives with her three children and elderly mother. From a humble background, Rachael works as a casual laborer doing laundry or farm work for neighbors. Rachel has been experiencing almost continuous abdominal bleeding and pain, but didn't visit a doctor because she couldn't afford treatment. Rachael has uterine fibroids, non-cancerous growths of the uterus. The bleeding has caused Rachael to become anemic, which means her body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. She has had to receive emergency blood transfusions as a result, but to permanently cure her, she needs a hysterectomy. When asked how she feels Rachael says, “I feel very desperate because my mother is old and I have left my children in her care. I hope Watsi will come to my aid so that I can be well again and have the strength to work for my children.” For $790 Rachael will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy, which means that her uterus and cervix will be surgically removed. This procedure will relieve her of the bleeding and pain and also treat her anemia. After Rachael recovers she will be able to go back to work, take care of her children, and lead a healthy life.

Maurine is 19-years-old and lives with her husband and her first child in Kenya. Maurine is about to welcome her second child, but has been experiencing abdominal pain and severe headaches during her pregnancy. Our Kenyan partner, Lwala Community Alliance, tells us that Maurine "hopes for safe delivery conducted by a skilled person for her child to grow healthy and strong." Maurine spends her days working the small piece of land she and her husband own and selling the vegetables they grow at a local market. Since she became pregnant, she has not been able to work and relies on the money her husband earns as a mechanic. After delivery, Maurine is eager to return to gardening and a good night's rest. For $290, Maurine will deliver her child in a birthing center under the supervision of medical professionals. Maurine and her child will have access to any of the treatments and expertise they might need.