Lani is a 61-year old widow who lives with her daughter in the Philippines. Her daughter works as part of a fast-food restaurant crew and is their sole source of income. Lani has been diagnosed with cholelithiasis, also known as gallstone disease. Because of her financial situation, even though she experienced shooting pains in her stomach, she saw a doctor only after a year, when the pain already extended to her back. Eventually, her condition got severe to the point that she could no longer stand up and walk due to her worsening symptoms. Now, if left untreated, her condition may lead to tissue damage, tears in the gallbladder, and infection that can spread to other parts of her body. Lani is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on March 5th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,253 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After her recovery, Lani will no longer experience severe pain in her abdomen or other complications in the future. She shared, "I have had this disease for a long time, but I have been putting up with the pain for far too long because I really cannot afford medical treatment," Lani added, "I am eternally grateful to the World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi for being able to provide assistance to individuals like me who simply cannot afford the procedures."

Debash is an adorable two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His dad shared that although he can be a bit shy in front of new people, his playfulness comes out whenever he's around his siblings. He has three sisters and one brother. Debash's parents are farmers on their own land, however the weather in their environment is dry most of the year, which causes their harvest to be limited. The amount of fruit they yield is frequently not enough to meet their family's needs, in turn causing them to spend money on purchasing food, after consuming their own, for the rest of the year. During the months of the year when they are not farming, they work in a factory to earn additional income. Even so, their income is limited and supports the basic needs of the family. Debash has a condition called Hirschprung's Disease. This is a birth condition that affects the large intestine and causes problems with passing stool. As a result, Debash has needed a series of treatments to remove an abnormally functioning segment of his bowel. Now he has returned for a follow-up procedure to a colostomy operation he had when he was younger. Because of COVID-19, financial limitations, and social unrest in his region they weren't able to follow up for his second surgery a quickly as they'd hoped and have been waiting a long time. A social worker met with their family and informed them of the services at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Mygungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), and recommended they take Debash there to proceed with his needed treatment. Due to Debash's condition, his parents are under a lot of psychological and financial stress. They cannot afford the medical bill for their son's treatment, and appeal for help. Fortunately, on February 17th, Debash will receive treatment at BKMCM. There, Debash will undergo hirschprung pull through surgery to remove the diseased portion of his intestine. With treatment, Debash will grow up to hopefully lead a happy life, and will no longer be in a constant state of discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, asks for $1,500 to help fund Debash's medical bill. His dad said, “We hope he will heal about his second surgery now. That will be great and it will make us happy. I want to educate my child. I hope he will get a good job after that. Either being a government worker or a doctor or a teacher or a trader or a farmer, I hope he will lead a good and healthy life in his future.”

Tajeuo is a 14 month-old baby and the last born in a family of 8 children. His siblings are aged between 22 and 5 years old. They all live in their family's traditional house, called a manyatta, in Narok, Kenta. His mother takes care of their family and home, while his father is a nomadic cattle herder who is typically away from home. Tajeuo was brought to the hospital by his uncle and relatives who pooled resources together to try to help get him treated. Tajeuo has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Tajeuo has been experiencing progressive increase in his head circumference and also has had some regression in developmental milestones due to his condition. Initially, Tajeuo was able to sit without support and was attempting to crawl, but now he lacks head control and is not able to support his neck on his own. Without treatment, the hydrocephalus will progress and could result in complications, including intellectual, developmental and physical disabilities. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery that will treat Tajeuo's hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 19th and will drain the excess fluid from his brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Tajeuo will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Now, Tajeuo and his family need help raising money. Tajeuo's mother shared, “At first, seeing his head grow big, we never thought it was that needed medical attention. But it started raising concern when the size kept increasing. We appreciate any support you can provide.”

Sheila is a 13-year-old bright and outgoing girl. She is a partial orphan who lives with a guardian that helped to rescue her from a difficult situation growing up. Sheila lives at a special place alongside 10 other children who come from a similar background. Her guardian says that Sheila's clubfoot condition limits her from her potential. Sheila was born with clubfoot and the condition has affected her mobility and lowered her self-esteem in a way that she cannot connect with her peers. Her guardian and family are not financially able to support the surgery and are appealing for financial assistance. Fortunately, Sheila traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Sheila's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Sheila will be able to easily interact with her peers and have a high self-esteem. Her guardian says, “I would very much appreciate the support that may be provided for Sheila's care. She will be able to explore her full potential.”

Godfrey is a 9-year-old student in grade 3 at a public primary school. He is the third born in a family of six siblings. Among them are four sisters and one brother. His eldest two siblings had to drop from school due to a lack of school fees, but his other younger siblings are in lower primary grades. Godfrey’s mother sells ripe bananas on the street while his father is a stone mansion. Through their daily combined efforts, they are able to support their family. The family lives in a rented single room timber house. Godfrey has a right hydrocele. The hydrocele is causing him progressive swelling resulting in pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on November 11th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $733 to fund Godfrey's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Godfrey’s father says, "I have really struggled with my son’s condition and I cannot afford his treatment cost.’’

Chhanna is a 29-year-old restaurant employee but recently hasn't been able to work because of an injury. His wife works a rice farmer and they have a daughter who is three years old and a son who is six months old. In May 2021, Chhanna got into a car accident where he fractured his clavicle causing paralysis of his right shoulder. After the accident, he underwent an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure at a local hospital to treat the fracture. However, he is still unable to move his right arm and he has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to lift his shoulder and he cannot work. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Chhanna receive treatment. On October 18th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery at CSC's care center. After recovery, he will be able to use his right arm again. Now, he needs help raising $696 to fund his procedure and care. Chhanna shared, "I hope I can move my arm easily again so I can get back to work and support my family."

Hiram is a student from Mombasa county in Kenya. He is a lastborn in a family of three and the only boy. He has no father and his mother sells fish to make a living. Hiram is in class five at school. He was born with clubfeet and has never been to any hospital for correction until his family heard about the CURE Hospital mobile clinic in Mombasa. His condition has greatly affected Hiram's mobility. He feels pain on his feet as he walks, so he cannot put on his shoes or play with his friends. This has affected his studies. Fortunately, Hiram's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 20th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Hiram's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to put on shoes, walk comfortably and improve his self-esteem. “I would like to be treated so that I can walk like my friends, play with them and continue with my studies,” Hiram told us.

Bo is a 16-year-old student. He's in eighth grade and lives in the school dormitory in the Tak Province during the school year. His parents and his siblings live on the Thai-Burma border. His brother and his mother are day labourers while his father is retired. During his free time, he likes to play the guitar, cook, and garden. In May 2021, Bo began to experience pain in the top of his left arm, close to his shoulder. In June 2021, the top of his left arm began to swell until it spread towards his shoulder. The swelling is now very large, encompassing his left shoulder and upper arm. Bo is in a lot of pain and cannot use his left arm. He cannot lift it, nor carry anything due to the pain and the swelling. Bo sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. Bo is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on August 18th. He is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. "I want to become a policeman one day but I do not know if this will be possible," said Bo.

Ren is a 69-year-old woman with two daughters and four sons. She spends her time at home looking after her grandchildren. Two months ago, Ren had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Ren experiences ear fullness, pain, tinnitus, and hearing loss. Now, she cannot communicate clearly with others and she is in pain. Ren traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 14th, 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 $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Ren said, "I hope that my ear pain and tinnitus will stop so I can feel well again and look after my grandchildren."

Hsue is a 52-year-old man who lives with his four daughters, his son-in-law and two grandchildren in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Hsue and his son-in-law used to work as agricultural day laborers in a nearby Thai village, but stopped working after travel restrictions were put in place due to Covid-19. These restrictions made it difficult for them to leave the camp for work. Since then, only Hsue's oldest daughter works, while one of his daughters goes to school and the others look after household chores. Last month, the ophthalmologist at Mae Sot Hospital diagnosed Hsue with a cataract in his left eye. Currently, the vision in Hsue's left eye is blurry, and he can only perceive light. He develops a headache whenever he tries to focus on something. He has to rely on his right eye and he can only see things that are near him. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Hsue. On June 20th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Hsue's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Hsue said,“I feel very sad. I can’t see and I can't make out people's faces when they are not near.” He is hopeful that this surgery will help him to get his vision back.

William is a hardworking motorbike taxi driver from Kenya. He earns $2.50 daily and lives in a one-room house in Naivasha, costing about $24 a month. His parents are elderly and live nearby on a quarter of an acre piece of land. William suffered femur and distal tibia fractures and is unable to walk and cannot work. Currently, the hospital has admitted him to the respiratory ward since he developed difficulties in breathing. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 20th, William will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. These surgeries will enable the bones to heal and he will be able to walk again normally. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. William says, “I don’t have anyone to depend on, I survive on my own through this motorbike taxi business. But with these fractures, I cannot walk or work at all. I need the surgery to normalize my life and be independent again.”

Ku is an 11-year-old student from Thailand. Ku lives with his mother, four brothers and a sister in a refugee camp. All of his siblings also go to school, except for his oldest brother, who used to work with their mother as agricultural day labourers. However, since the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020, they have not been able to leave the camp easily to find work. Ku's father works as a day labourer outside of the camp, but has also been unable to find consistent work due to the pandemic. Ku's family receives some financial support from an external organisation, but it is not enough to cover their expenses, and they shared that they often borrow rice or money from their neighbors. In March 2021, Ku and his friends were playing tag that led him to have a bad fall. Ku had taken off his sandals and left them at the top of a hill. When he ran up the rocky hill to fetch his sandals, he slipped and stuck out his left hand to break his fall, breaking his wrist. Currently, Ku’s left hand and forearm are very painful. He cannot bend his wrist and can only move his fingers slightly. Before his accident, Ku was able to prepare his own meals and set up his mosquito net at night. But now, he needs someone to help him do these tasks. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ku will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for March 10th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Ku use his left hand again and live pain-free. He will be able to cook his own meals again and set up his mosquito net by himself. Now, he and his family need help raising money for this procedure. Ku's mother shared, "After he receives treatment, I want Ku to continue his studies until he graduates and becomes a medic."