Keith is a 12-year-old from Kenya. He is the first born child in a family of two, both of whom are students in grade three. They hail from Kaptul village which is known to be a rural area with less access to medical and social services. His parents are peasant farmers and they depend on seasonal farm products like mangoes and cassavas for commercial purpose. The money they get from those farm products is not enough to sustain the family for their daily needs. Therefore they depend on well-wishers for food and clothing when they don’t have farm products to sell. Four days ago, Keith fell from a high height and sustained trauma with injuries on right leg. A right tibia fracture was revealed by x-ray on his arrival to the hospital. Keith was looking after his grandmother’s cattle when he fell into a ditch. He is now in pain and cannot walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 20th, Keith will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and be able to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Keith’s mother says, “He is hardworking and he is liked by his grandmother for being honest and taking responsibility. He will be missed by his grandmother, who is wishing him quick recovery.”

Chreb is a 56-year-old cleaner from Cambodia. Chreb lives with her husband, two sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Her husband works as a security guard. Chreb likes to watch the news and Khmer dramas on TV. Ten years ago, Chreb developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Chreb learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Chreb needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 20th. Chreb's daughter says, "I worry about my mom and I hope her eye gets better after surgery so she can have freedom again."

Ley is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has five children, four grandchildren, and enjoys visiting the pagoda and listening to the monks pray on the radio. Five months ago, Ley developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ley learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Ley said, "I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can help look after my grandchildren and help around the house."

Kashunju is an elderly farmer from Uganda. He is a married father to five children; two of his boys are primary teachers and married. His three girls are all married and small-scale farmers. He is a subsistence farmer too who earns a living from his small piece of land by cultivation both commercial and food crops. At his farm, he has a banana and coffee plantation and three cows which give him milk for their family's consumption only. He operates the farm together with his wife and three grandchildren. Kashunju lives in a three-roomed semi-permanent house together with his wife and grandchildren who belong to his late son. Since two years ago, Kashunju has had an inguinal hernia. The swelling increases in size whenever he coughs, laughs, or bends making his work on the farm difficult. Fortunately, on May 14th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $241 to fund Kashunju's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kashunju says, “I hope I will be free from all the pain I am having and have a better life after I have undergone my surgery.”

Tumusiime is a 52-year-old single mother to four children. All her children are now married and practice small scale farming since they were not able to receive enough education. Tumusiime presented with lower abdominal pain feeling a mass in her abdomen for two years. This has reduced her work performance and caused discomfort as she gets heavy bleeding also. If not treated, she may have persistent pain, develop complications like anaemia and stands a possibility of becoming cancerous. Tumusiime had never been to any hospital for medical treatment because she had no money but was feeling the pain. After hearing of Watsi partner's SAFE program at Nyakibale hospital, she was seen by the gynaecologist who diagnosed her with tube ovarian mass and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia recommending total abdominal hysterectomy and cystectomy to improve her quality of health. She can’t afford the costs of her surgery and needs support. Tumusiime says, “I hope for a good outcome from my surgery and continue with cultivation.”

Khom is a 55-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons and five grandchildren. Khom likes to watch Khmer dramas on television. Two years ago, Khom developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her vision loss. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Khom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for more than three hours seeking treatment. On April 27th, 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 help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that after surgery I will be able to see everything clearly and go back to my work in the field," Khom said.