Panha is a second grader from Cambodia. She has four sisters and one brother. She likes to draw, watch TV, and play with her friends outside. When she was three months old, Panha had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Panha experiences left ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot hear clearly and has difficulty listening and focusing at school. Panha traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 5, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her mother says, "I hope my daughter's hearing can improve and she can return to school soon."

Cho is a 20-year-old young woman from Burma. She lives with her parents and younger brother. Her parents sell flowers in front of a Buddhist temple for a living, and her brother works in a tea shop. Cho likes to read stories and study English in her free time. Cho 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. Currently, Cho suffers from chest pain, difficulty breathing, and heart palpitations. She cannot walk long distances and tires easily. Additionally, due to her poor health, Cho is no longer able to continue her studies. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Cho. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 12 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. "I want to get well soon and continue my studies. In the future, I want to become a teacher," says Cho.

Mohammed is a two-year-old baby from Ethiopia. He loves to play and laugh with people. His father is a traditional farmer, and his mother is a stay-at-home mom. They have eight children. Mohammed 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. Mohammed is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on February 9. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mohammed's procedure and care. After his recovery, Mohammed will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Mohammed’s mother says, “My husband is a poor farmer with low income and I’m a house wife and I take care of my kids in the house. Our income is very low even to support our kids. It is our hope to get the surgery and to see our child in a healthy and good position by your support.”

Chit is a one-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents in Mae Sot, a border town. He loves to play with his parents. Since he was one month old, Chit has had an inguinal hernia. Now, his hernia is getting bigger. He is in pain and cries a lot, and he is no longer able to play. Fortunately, on January 6, 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 Chit's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 6 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His mother says, "I want my son to be a teacher when he grows up."

Benard is a farmer from Malawi. Benard and his wife live in a small village. To supplement the family income, they raise goats and chickens. In his free time, Benard likes to sit and chat with his wife. For eight years, Benard has been experiencing severe pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Benard's surgery. On November 14, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Bernard was overjoyed when told he would finally get surgery. He has been unable to work due to his health, and he is ready to be able to work his farm and tend his animals again. He says, "Thanks to all of the Watsi partners and the surgeons; soon I will be free from this problem!"

Michael is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is the second born in a family of three kids. Michael does odd jobs to earn a living. Three months ago, Michael slipped and fell, sustaining a closed fracture of the radius bone. He was taken to a nearby clinic, and a Plaster of Paris was applied. He visited our medical partner's care center, and an x-ray showed that his bones have not united correctly. Michael is in pain and cannot use his right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 6, Michael will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will enable Michael use his hand again and eventually resume his odd jobs. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “My mum is the only one I have and she is not able to help, I hope to get help and have my hand working again,” says Michael.

Andy is a 12-year-old boy from Dominican Republic. He lives with his parents. His mother works as an office administrator, and his father works as a chef to support their family. Andy enjoys going to school and watching baseball on TV. Andy was born with a series of complex congenital heart defects, including one where his heart valve does not open and close properly, causing blood to back up into his heart. Andy has had several heart surgeries throughout his life to repair each defect and is embarking on his final surgery to replace his mitral valve. On August 31, Andy will be flown to our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,343 to cover the cost of Andy's transportation from Dominican Republic to Cayman Islands where he will receive heart surgery. Although Andy is not from Haiti, Haiti Cardiac Alliance is collaborating with partners to make his surgery possible. "I would like to share my entire family's gratitude to everyone who is helping my son become healthy!" says Andy's mother.

Years ago, when Marcelo was just 15 and working as an agricultural laborer in the local countryside, he suffered an accident that caused him the loss of his leg. Now, Marcelo still works in agriculture, but he struggles in his work because of his lack of mobility and inability to walk. Marcelo lives with his wife and children in Guatemala’s rural highlands. He and his wife have nine children together. Marcelo’s wife works weaving and selling traditional Mayan textiles in order to contribute to the family’s income, and Marcelo can still provide a bit for his family in his work as a day laborer. On June 9, Marcelo will receive a specially molded leg fit just for him. Receiving this prosthesis will change Marcelo’s life. He hopes that he will be able to walk again and move freely so that he can be able to support his family. Marcelo says, “I am very happy to have found this help. My desire is to be able to walk well, to be able to go up and down stairs with ease. I wish to open a business so that I can continue to maintain my family.”

John is an eight-month-old baby boy from the Philippines. John was recently diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Due to his condition, John has a weakened immune system, which increases his likelihood of becoming sick. Beginning on June 28, John will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide John with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimal physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $261 to cover the cost of John's ongoing care. "I am praying and hoping that John will reach the normal weight for his age. I am very thankful to ICM for being the instrument that will help him recover from malnutrition," says John's mother.

An is a 62-year-old woman from Cambodia. She has two brothers and four sisters. In her free time, she likes to listen to monks praying at the pagoda and plant crops in her garden at home. Two months ago, An developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, pain, and tearing. It is difficult for her to see clearly or go anywhere by herself. Through our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, An will undergo cataract surgery to restore her vision on June 13. She is requesting $153 to cover the cost of her procedure.

Vorn is a 49-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia, who is married with five sons and one daughter. She likes to watch Thai movies on TV, listen to monks pray on the radio, and go to the pagoda in her free time. Vorn developed cataracts in both eyes about four months ago, causing her blurred vision, irritation and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, work, and go anywhere outside by herself. Vorn traveled for three hours with her sister to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Vorn is now scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on May 18, which will allow her to be able to see clearly again without pain and irritation. The $292 amount will cover the entire cost of the procedure.

Tomasa is a ten-month-old baby from rural Guatemala. She is the second child in her family. Her father is a construction worker, while her mother takes care of the household. Tomasa has malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Tomasa has little energy to grow and that her immune system is weak. She may also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Tomasa recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $492 to fund the treatment, which will begin on March 13. With the proper care, Tomasa will grow into a healthy young girl. Tomasa’s mother says, “We hope for our daughter to grow up and one day become a doctor.”