Naturinda is a 3-year-old boy from Uganda. He had just started school, but unfortunately stopped attending due to the COVID-19 lockdown. Naturinda is the firstborn child in his family with one younger brother. His mother is a nursing assistant and earns a living from operating a small drug shop, where she is paid on commission. His father operates a small scale retail shop. The family stays in a single roomed rental house in Rukungiri Town. Naturinda was brought in to the hospital with a history of bloody staining as he is passing stool. He was diagnosed with a hyperemic prolapse of a small mass. Naturinda often doesn't feel well and going to the bathroom is a painful experience for him. Naturinda's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 2nd, surgeons will remove the mass. Once recovered, he will be more comfortable and no longer have pain. Now, Naturinda's family needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. Naturinda's mother shared, "I ask you to kindly to help me because I think that my child will continue having discomfort and pain if he doesn’t undergo surgery. However, I have no money to help him receive this surgical treatment.”

Ang is a 76-year-old carpenter from Cambodia. He has five sons, five daughters, and 15 grandchildren. Ang lives with his wife and he enjoys watching TV and keeping up with the news. Seven years ago, Ang developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurred vision, irritation, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled with his daughter by tuk tuk seeking treatment. On August 11th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Ang said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see everything and everyone clearer than now so I can do any work and go to anywhere outside by myself."

Brian is a nine-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the only child in his family. Brian was born with bilateral clubfoot, which due to lack of resources, ended up being neglected. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. In May 2020, with support from Watsi donors, Brian had a successful postmedial release on his right foot. He now requires surgery to correct his left foot as well so that he can walk easily and with better balance. His family is not able to raise funds needed for the cost of his care. Brian's father is a carpenter and his mother is a farmer. Their combined income is not enough to meet the required cost of surgery. Brian's father is grateful for the support they received for his first surgery. Now, the family once again appeals for help.  Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily again. Brian's father shared, “I lack words to express my sincere gratitude to God, CURE and Watsi for the great support they have rendered to us, indeed you have been of great help to us. We were in despair because of our son, but you have restored hope to our family. We are witnessing to people of what you have done to us. Be blessed."

Regina is a 46-year-old woman from Kenya. She works as a secretary at the Kiambu County Offices with limited income and shared that she has not been paid for some months. Since five years ago, Regina has been experiencing lower abdominal pains and abnormal uterine bleeding. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $791 to fund Regina's surgery. On June 5th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Regina will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “I have been paying for national health insurance hoping it would help me and also if my salary was paid I would have tried to cater for this operation. Now I plead for support so that I can undergo this surgery and at least get back to my normal life,” said Regina.

Sokchea is a 30-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has two sisters and one brother. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and listening to music. Seven years ago, Sokchea had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Sokchea experiences discharge, infection, itchiness, and tinnitus. Sokchea finds it difficult to listen to others and cannot communicate easily. Sokchea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 25th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that after the operation, the infection and discharge will stop, and I will be able to hear more clearly again," he shared.

Kupha is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and has six children. In 2014, Kupha started experiencing some pain in her upper jaw. After some time, her jaw started to swell and the pain worsened. Both cold and hot food triggered pain that would last day and night. She went to a nearby facility in Kwale County to seek care, and was given some pain medication that worked for a while. She later returned for a surgery to remove the swollen tissue. Though she recovered well, the following year, Kupha started experiencing pain and swelling again. Upon returning to the same facility for a checkup, the doctor told her that no further treatment could be done. A few years later, Kupha heard about Kijabe Hospital and came for an examination in January 2020. The doctors diagnosed her with a benign maxillary mass and scheduled her for an excision surgery. During the surgery, they will put in a plate and screws to hold together her maxillar. However, Kupha and her family are not able to raise funds needed for the surgery. After the death of her husband a few years ago, Kupha has been struggling to provide for her six children. Her firstborn son is the main breadwinner of the family and also attends college, partially sponsored by the county government of Kwale. He does some casual jobs when he is not in class to feed the family, and also facilitates his mother's hospital visits. Kupha was able to raise some money for her treatment, but she does not have enough financial support and appeals for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Kupha's surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th and will be a ten hour long surgery. Hopefully, this treatment will alleviate her of further severe pain and swelling. Kupha shared, “With the pain that I have endured over the years, it has made it difficult for me to look for work and provide for my family. I will be happy when I receive the required treatment for my condition.”

Eng is a 63-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has two sons, five daughters, seven grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio when he has free time. One year ago, Eng developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry and cloudy vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Eng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 10th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. "I hope that my surgery will allow me to see and drive a motorcycle again, and I will be able to go outside and return to my work on the rice farm," he shared.

Rosaline is a 23-year-old manual laborer from Kenya. When she was only 15 years old, young Rosaline was married and conceived her 1st born. A year later, she left her matrimonial home following constant quarrels and domestic violence from her then-husband. She went back to her ancestral home to live with her elderly mother. She currently has three children ages: 7, 4, and 2 years old. She was not able to complete a formal education. Rosaline lives in a one-room traditional house with her children. She depends on a small income she gets from fetching water for people in her village. On a good day, she makes $2, which she uses to feed her kids and take care of her basic needs. On days when there are no jobs, she relies on her siblings for food. Rosaline is the last born in a family of five. Her siblings do fishing in the nearby lake Baringo and don’t have a stable source of income either. In April 2020, Rosaline's traditional lessos and dress caught fire while cooking in her small makeshift kitchen. She shared that the space around the cooking area is small and can barely accommodate 2 people. As she was turning to pick up salt, her loose lessos and dress caught fire causing severe burns on more than 20% of her body. She now has difficulty sitting and is in pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Rosaline receive treatment. On September 22nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to this treatment will help her heal properly and she will no longer be in pain. Now, Rosaline needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Rosaline shared with us, “I have gone through a lot. Early marriage and break up, teen pregnancy, and now this accident. I have 3 children to feed and raise. I even had to discontinue my little baby from breastfeeding after I sustained the burns. I am in constant pain and at risk of getting infections. I am hopeful I will get to undergo this surgery so that I can take care of my young family.”

Glorianne is a young student from Kenya. Glorianne is a brilliant and social girl, we met her at our clinic in Embu. She asked so many questions to the doctor and wanted to know how her condition could be corrected. She is the first born in a family of two and a class six pupil. Her mother told us that she likes reading and English is her favorite subject. The family hails from Kiambere village in Embu County. Her mother is a single parent and she works as a secretary at local secondary school. Glorianne has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Glorianne traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Glorianne's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and wear shoes without discomfort. “I am requesting your help so that my daughter can properly stand and walk like other girls,” shared Risper, Glorianne’s mother..

Rehema is a child from Uganda who started school last year. She is the last born of four children to her mother. But her father has a total of eight children. Her parents are small-scale farmers and are not able to afford the treatment cost thus they are asking for help. Rehema was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs bow so that her knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, the walks to and from school were becoming difficult for her. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Rehema. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 23rd. Treatment will hopefully restore Rehema's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Rehema’s mother says, “I would like to see my daughter walking like her other siblings but the treatment cost is expensive and I can’t come up with the money, please help.”

Joyce is the oldest of three siblings and likes helping her mother do household chores at home. She also has a green thumb and enjoys helping her father on his farm. She is in seventh grade and her favorite subject is English. Joyce dreams of being a future doctor. In June of 2019, Joyce's family noticed an unusual curving of her spine. Currently, Joyce has trouble balancing while she walks and has experienced lower self-esteem. Surgery will correct the curve in her spine, improve her confidence, and enable her to continue her education and achieve her aspiration of becoming a doctor. Joyce's family has raised funds for half of the cost of her surgery with the help of friends and well-wishers. They are asking for Watsi's support to cover the remaining cost of their daughter's surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining cost of her surgery and care. “My joy would be to get treated so that I can continue with my studies without needing to hide my back,” Joyce shared. Her parents also expressed, “We are pleading for support so that our daughter can undergo surgery and continue with her normal life like other children.”

Thi is a 31-year-old woman who lives with her husband, father-in-law, nephew and daughter in Shwepythar Town in the Yangon Division of Burma. Thi is a homemaker while her husband is an electrician. Thi’s nephew and her daughter are students. In mid-February 2019, Thi developed a fever, a cough, and difficulty breathing. She went to the nearest clinic where she received an injection and oral medication to treat her fever and cough. When she took the medication she felt better, but the next day, she had difficulty breathing, felt tired, had a sharp pain in her chest, and a rapid heartbeat. She then went to a hospital in Yangon, where she received another injection, oral medication, and an x-ray. After the doctor diagnosed her with asthma, she also received a nebulizer for her asthma. Once the doctor checking her had the x-ray results, the doctor told her that her heart is enlarged and referred her to another hospital for further investigation. There she received an echocardiogram (echo) and another x-ray. After her results came in, the doctor told her that her heart valves are not working well and that she might have to replace two of the valves in her heart. She was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve stenosis, and aortic valve regurgitation. The doctor also told her that the surgery would cost 2.5 million kyat (approx. 2,500 USD). Thi could not afford to pay such a large amount and when she told the doctor this, the doctor provided her with oral medication every month. She did not feel better after she took the medication. Last month, Thi’s husband was setting up the electricity in his friend’s house when he met a cardiologist. The doctor had come to look after his friend’s sister, who has a heart condition. Thi’s husband had told his friend about Thi’s heart condition and his friend introduced him to the cardiologist. After he told the doctor about Thi’s condition, the doctor told him to bring her in to his office with her medical records. After they came into his office and doctor reviewed her medical records, he referred her to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Pinlon Hospital to finally receive the treatment she needs. Currently, Thi feels tired, has difficulty breathing and cannot walk long distances. Aside from her symptoms, she is very stressed and upset about her financial situation. In her free time, Thi likes to do housework and bring her daughter to and from school. In the future, when she is fully recovered, she would like to work as a seamstress and save money for her family. Thi said, “I think too much about my condition and worry about the treatment’s cost. So, I cannot sleep at night and I have a small appetite.” Thi’s husband said, “I have to accompany her whenever my wife visits the hospital. My daughter and I have had to stop working and attending school whenever she is sick. I feel bad for my wife because she cries every night since she found out that she needs to receive surgery.” Thi added, “I am very afraid to die and to lose my family as my daughter is still young.”