Simai is a teenager from Cambodia. He hopes to pursue a career in international technology after he completes his schooling. Three months ago, Simai was in a severe traffic accident and fractured his spine. This condition has made it difficult to sit in school for long periods and causes a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Spinal surgery is scheduled for March 13 and will cost $930. He says, "I hope that after surgery I am able to walk normally and go back to school."

Aung is a 34-year-old from Thailand. He lives with his retired parents and one sister at Thaton Town, Mon State, Burma. Aung 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, Aung feels tired when walks or climbs the steps. He also has poor appetite and difficulty falling asleep. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 10 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to open a motorcycle repair shop in Thahton. This is what I plan to do after receiving surgery. I want to support my family as much as I can,” says Aung.

Sarum is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters and two grandkids. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. A month ago, Sarum developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, clouded lenses, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sarum learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On January 9, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I look forward to spending time with my grandchildren after surgery."

John is a farmer from Kenya. In July 2018, he sustained a closed fracture of his right humerus. He was taken to the hospital and bandaged. He was advised to undergo surgery, but his family could not afford treatment. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 13, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help the fracture heal, and John will be able to use his right hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. His brother says, ”We are desperate; even bus fare to come to the hospital was paid by our neighbors. I pray that Watsi may help us so that my brother can at least be able to help himself to do basic things.”

Kevin is a motorcycle taxi operator from Kenya. He is the oldest in a family of five children. In October, Kevin fractured his left hand. Now, he is not able to use his hand and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 1, Kevin will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will allow his hand to heal well, and Kevin will be able to go back to operating the motorcycle taxi. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $640 to fund this procedure. Kevin says, “I pray that I will be treated and resume my work. I will be grateful for the support."

Rosenie is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her husband in Port-au-Prince. Rosenie has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart, and a blockage in one of the heart's valves. Rosenie will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On November 9, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $45,000 to pay for surgery. Rosenie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Rosenie's family overseas. She says, "I am very happy to have this surgery so that I can have more energy and stop worrying about my heart."

Joy is an infant from Kenya. Joy’s mother is a full-time mother, while her father is a subsistence farmer. Both Joy and her twin sister were born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Luckily, the National Health Insurance supported their spina bifida closure and her sister's hydrocephalus treatment. Joy has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Joy has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Joy will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Joy that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 6 and will drain the excess fluid from Joy's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Joy will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “We are kindly seeking help to have Joy treated,” says Joy’s mother.

Sokchea is a tuk tuk driver from Cambodia. He has two sisters and four brothers. He likes to play football and listen to music in his free time. Five 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 pain, ear discharge, tinnitus, and hearing loss. He has difficulty hearing. Sokchea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 9, 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 $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His sister in law says, "We are happy he can have this operation and have good hearing again."

Abraham is a 13-year-old boy and the third child in a family of seven children. He is in fifth grade, and he loves science and mathematics. He wants to become a pilot when he grows up. Abraham was born with malformations of his right foot and leg. He cannot walk comfortably. His father heard about our medical partner's care center and decided to bring his son there. Now, Abraham is scheduled to undergo an amputation, after which he will be fitted with a prosthesis to help him walk. Treatment is scheduled for July 12 and will cost $1,035. His parents are subsistence farmers and need help raising this money. Abraham says, “I believe this treatment will help me by making my movements easy, I will be able to go to school and the doctor is telling me that the prosthesis will enable me to walk normal. Please help me get this treatment.”

Khem is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three daughters, six sons, and twenty grandchildren. She likes to visit the local pagoda and listen to monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Khem developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and headache. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Khem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 5, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I look forward to going to the pagoda, joining in on ceremonies, and taking care of my grandchildren."

Rebecca is a baker and a singer mother of one child. She has two siblings. Rebecca was a healthy woman until three years ago, when she developed chronic ulcer secondary peripheral vascular disease on her right leg. She underwent an amputation, lost her job, and was left struggling to provide for her teenage son and to feed her family. Rebecca eventually managed to start a small bakery business at home. Unfortunately, she recently developed the same condition on her left leg. She can no longer work and needs treatment. Rebecca is scheduled to undergo a left leg amputation on May 15. Now, she needs help raising $1,035 to fund this procedure. Rebecca says, “Thank you for helping me getting this treatment, it has been a difficult life changing journey for me and my son. At some point we had lost hope, but God has made a way through everyone contributing, praying for me and assisting me in one way or the other. I am so grateful.”

Thue is a 40-year-old famer from Burma. Thue lives her husband, three sons, and one daughter. She and her husband work on their farm along with their eldest son. They also raise chicken and pigs, which they sometimes sell if the crops were not good. Two months ago, Thue started experiencing abdominal pain, and she could not sleep and eat well. She lost consciousness several times because of the pain. She visited to the hospital, and the doctor diagnosed her with a gallstone. Thue has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Thue's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Thue is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on April 18. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Thue's procedure and care. Thue says, “After I recover, I want to look after my children again and take care of my household."