Sovannara is a 68-year-old retired soldier. He has six sons, one daughter, and fourteen grandchildren. He now lives with his youngest daughter and family. His daughter is a cook at a local restaurant. To earn extra money for the family, Sovannara became a motor taxi driver. He likes to watch Khmer boxing and the news on the TV. His life has become more difficult since three years ago when Sovannara developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him photophobia, blurred vision, and a need for brighter light to read or watch TV. When Sovannara learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours with his wife seeking treatment. On February 1st, 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 $229 procedure. Sovannara told us: "During my young age I used my power to support my country, and at this old age I need my eyes to see well and support my family."

Tumubwine is a 43-year-old farmer from Uganda. She is a mother to four children. Tumubwine and her husband both work hard to support their family and meet their children's school fees. Tumubwine has been suffering from a nodular goitre for the past two years. The goitre has caused her neck to swell, obstructing her airway especially when she is sleeping. She cannot carry anything on her head, which she often needs to do, and the swell continues to gradually increase. In February, Tumubwine was experiencing more sleepless nights due to her condition and opted to visit Nyakibale Hospital. There, doctors recommended she undergo surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tumubwine receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on March 9th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Tumubwine shared, “I hope that the surgery will be successful so that I can resume my duties at home. I have struggled with the condition for a long time.”

Kyaw is a one-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his father, grandmother, uncle and brother in a village in Tak Province, Thailand. His father and uncle are day laborers while his grandmother is a homemaker. Kyaw’s 13-year-old brother also helps out with household chores. In the middle of November 2020, Kyaw developed a fever, cough and difficulty breathing. His grandmother treated him with traditional medicine but Kyaw did not get better. His grandmother then took him to a clinic in the village, where he received oral medication for a week. Once he completed the medication, Kyaw still was not better. His grandmother then took him to another clinic where he received a blood test, fluid through an intravenous (IV) infusion, and oxygen. After the doctor checked his results, Kyaw was diagnosed with anemia and he was admitted. He received a blood transfusion, but Kyaw still did not get better. The medic then referred him to another hospital where he was also admitted and received tests and treatment. When Kyaw did not get better, the doctor referred him to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH). After Kyaw arrived at MSH in an ambulance in early December, he was admitted. At the hospital, Kyaw received an x-ray, oxygen and antibiotics. After checking his x-ray result, the doctor diagnosed Kyaw with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM), where a mass forms during pregnancy in one of the lungs of the fetus. The doctor told Kyaw’s grandmother that Kyaw could have a mass or cyst in his right lung in addition to a build-up of fluid in that lung. The doctor then inserted a tube into his right lung which was connected to a bag to drain the fluid. After the procedure, the doctor told Kyaw’s grandmother that they would remove the tube when no more fluid would drain from his lungs. When Kyaw did not get better, the doctor referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital for further treatment. Doctors want Kyaw to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. After a long journey and many treatments, this scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $693 to cover the cost of Kyaw's CT scan and hospital care, scheduled for February 1st. “I want to see him free from this suffering,” said Kyaw’s grandmother. “Once Kyaw recovers and is older, I will send him to school. I want him to become an educated person because I do not want him to work as a day labourer and work under the hot sun like his father.”

Turyasingura is a 22-year-old farmer. She is married and a mother to one child in the first grade. Turyasingura wasn't able to proceed with school herself after completing senior four due to lack of school fees. She stayed at home farming until she got married, and she and her husband both currently make a living by farming. They grow food crops for home consumption and sell off the remaining amount to support their family. Turyasingura presented with a painful solid mass in her left breast. The mass is painful upon touch, and needs to be removed. Fortunately, she traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 26th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Turyasingura needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. Turyasingura shared, “I have hope that all will be well and I expect a better life and health after I have fully recovered."

Naw Mar is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband, two daughters and two sons in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Four years ago, Naw Mar started to suffer from pain in the right side of her abdomen. At first, she thought the pain would disappear after she rested. When it did not, she went to the hospital in the camp run by Malteser International Thailand (MI). She received medications which helped for a bit. Two years later, the pain became severe and the right side of her abdomen also became swollen. After more medication and follow-up appointments, she was eventually admitted to Mae Sariang Hospital and received an ultrasound. The ultrasound showed that she had multiple gallstones, and she was given more medication. However, the medication did not help her much. In early June 2020, the pain in Naw Mar’s right abdomen increased. After she went to the camp’s hospital, the doctor referred her to Mae Sariang Hospital again, where the doctor told her that she would need to have surgery to remove the gallstones. Since Mae Sariang Hospital doctors could not perform this surgery, she was again referred her to Chiang Mai Hospital. However, the high cost of surgery proved difficult, so she was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), for assistance with accessing treatment. Currently, Naw Mar has constant pain in her right abdomen that is only manageable through pain medication. Her right abdomen is also swollen, and she suffers from back pain as well. When the pain in her abdomen is excruciating, she develops a headache and high blood pressure. Naw Mar is a homemaker, while her two daughters and her youngest son go to school. Her oldest son helps her with household chores. Her husband works as an agricultural day laborer, but has been unable to find work for the past month. While their family does receive a cash card each month for food support, it is not enough to cover their daily expenses and they struggle to make ends meet despite receiving free health care and education in the refugee camp. Their family is appealing for financial support. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Naw Mar's surgery. On October 25th, she will undergo a cholecystectomy at our medical partner’s care center. Once recovered, Naw Mar will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her quality of life will improve. Naw Mar shared, "After I receive treatment, I want to work for an organisation [NGO] in the camp so that we [my family] can have an income. Right now, I have no pocket money and I cannot borrow money from any one because we have no way of paying them back. I appreciate any support you can provide.”

Veasna is a 25-year-old musician from Cambodia. He is married and has one daguhter. Veasna's wife is a farmer. In his free time Veasna enjoys playing football, singing, watching TV, and relaxing at home. Since 2017, Veasna has experienced recurrent infections of his upper respiratory tract. Veasna has snoring at night, difficulty swallowing, and a constant sore throat. Fortunately, the ENT department at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) can perform a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy to treat these problems. Now, Veasna needs help to fund the $241 treatment. Veasna shared, "My wife and I are happy to find a hospital that can help me. I am looking forward to having no more infections or swallowing pain after the surgery. We will finally save money by not having to buy medicines anymore."

Oun is a 54-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She and her husband are rice farmers and together that have has one son, one daughter, and one grandchild. In her free time, Oun enjoys listening to the monks pray. Four years ago, Oun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, photophobia, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going places on her own. When Oun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On December 7th, 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 $229 procedure. Oun said, "I hope after surgery I can see better so I can go outside and recognize my family well. I want to return to planting rice and crops."

Hour is a 48-year-old grocery seller from Cambodia. He has two children, one daughter and one son. He likes to watch television and he also likes to play games with his children. Ten years ago, Hour 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, Hour experiences smelliness, ear discharge, itchiness, and hearing loss. He has a difficult time hearing and he finds it challenging to communicate well with his family and people at the market. Hour traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 11th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his left 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 my ear infection stops, my ear drum heals, and my hearing improves," he shared.

Rena is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya who has an inguinal hernia. From her parent’s description, the hernia seems to be quite painful for her and she has been crying a lot since Friday, March 27th. Rena was taken to their local hospital and diagnosed with a hernia. Her family was then referred to Watsi Medical Partner's Care Center Bethany Kids Hospital where hernia repair surgery was recommended by the medical team. Without the appropriate treatment, Rena will be at risk of complications such as strangulation. Rena’s parents are peasant farmers from central Kenya living on their ancestral land. They rely on seasonal farming with limited income. Rena has an elder sibling who is five years old. The family is not able to raise the funds required for her surgery. They would require several weeks of saving which might be too late for the young child. They appeal for financial assistance. Fortunately, on March 31st, Rena will undergo repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Rena's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Rena’s mother says, “We came here hopeful that Rena will be treated. Thank you for your willingness to support our child.”

Bavuriki is a mother of two children who developed a small swelling on her throat almost 10 years ago. Her swelling kept on increasing gradually in size until two years ago when it became big and painful. Unfortunately, she has never had any medical attention and the pain has increased to the extent that she can no longer carry a five-litre jerrycan on her head and she feels a headache whenever she comes from the farm. Bavuriki decided to visit Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Rushoroza Hospital to seek medical advice. If not treated to remove her thyroid, doctors told her she may develop thyrotoxicosis, difficulty in swallowing, or airway obstruction. Bavuriki and her husband are small-scale farmers who grow beans and potatoes for home consumption. They have only two daughters, one is 27 years old and got married after completing her primary school teaching certificate. Their second daughter is 23 years old and is being taken care of by the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters, with a hope of joining them as soon as possible. They shared that she could have already joined the Sisters, but the COVID-19 pandemic is causing delays. Their family owns a three-room semi-permanent house on their ancestral land. Bavuriki said, “After the surgery, I would be able to comfortably continue with my farming and be able to take care of my family.”

Kendrick is a 6-month old boy from Kenya. He is a chubby, quiet child who was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia, a condition that develops when fatty or intestinal tissues push through a weakness in the abdominal wall near the right or left inguinal canal. When he was four months old, Kendrick’s mother noticed a slight swelling on his groin. He was crying as if he was in pain. After some time the swelling retracted. A few days later, the same thing reoccurred but this time, they rushed him to the nearest hospital where he was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia. Due to lack of a specialist, they were referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center BethanyKids where surgery has been recommended. If not treated, Kendrick is at a risk of suffering strangulation which can potentially restrict blood flow to his tissues. Kendrick is the youngest in a family of three children. They live together in a two-room rental house in Kikuyu in Central Kenya. Kendrick’s mother is a housewife. His father is employed casually in a computer shop. With a very limited income, Kendrick’s parents are not in a position to raise the funds needed and but they have raise Kes. 10,000. Fortunately, on May 13th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Kendrick's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. "I will appreciate help accorded towards my son’s surgical care,” says Kendrick’s mother.

Hassan is married and a father to four children, all of whom are still in school. He earns a living from his business of selling roasted meat. His wife is a small-scale farmer who grows food crops. He and his family live in a single-room rental house. Hassan has experienced swelling on his ear for the past two years. The swelling is painful and he can’t sleep on his side. Hassan traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 16, surgeons will remove the mass that is causing him discomfort. Now, Hassan needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. “I hope that the pain I have been experiencing will be relieved, and hope to have a better life and continue working with my business in order to provide for my family,” shared Hassan.