Brian is a cheerful 10-year-old student. He is the third and youngest child of the family. His mother is a homemaker and his father is a farmer. Brian lives with his parents and siblings in a village, and attends the local primary school, where he is in fifth grade. Despite his birth condition, Brian is a passionate footballer. Brian was born with a clubfoot condition in which his feet are twisted out of shape, and has been treated with serial casting starting from when he was just a day old. His left foot has corrected while his right foot has not - he currently tiptoes when he walks and feels pain whenever he runs, including pain on the field while playing football. Fortunately, Brian traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 13th. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,286 to fund Brian's procedure. After treatment, Brian will be able to walk well, play football, and continue with his studies uninterrupted. Brian's mother said, “I am pleading for help from the donors for my son to undergo surgery and I will appreciate your support.”

Sovan is a 24-year-old restaurant security guard. He was married last year and is expecting his first child with his wife, who is a seamstress in a local factory. Until his injury, he enjoyed playing volleyball with friends. In February, he was hit by a car while on his motorbike and fractured his left forearm when he fell on the pavement. He did not go to a clinic to be examined because he did not have enough money. Nine months after his injury, he is unable to use his left arm and the broken bone has failed to heal. He has swelling, pain, and tenderness. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 22nd, Sovan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will finally repair the fracture. With physical therapy after surgery, he can regain strength and range of motion, allowing him to find work again. Sovan shared: "I hope my arm will be fixed, I will no longer be in pain, and I can find a job to support my growing family."

Liza is a happy eight-year-old girl, living in Kandal province, Cambodia. She has two older siblings - an older sister who works in a factory, and an older brother who is in grade seven. Her father recycles cans and plastic bottles, while her mother stays home to care for her. Liza was born with Down syndrome and she does not attend school, but spends her day enjoying cartoons on TV and helping her mother around the house. For the past five years, Liza has been experiencing frequent throat infections, and difficulty swallowing. She has a harder time breathing at night and does not sleep well, so she is often tired during the day. Her mother says she often cries because her throat hurts so much. Liza was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and to intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Liza, which is scheduled to take place on January 23rd at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. During this procedure, surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Liza of her symptoms, and helping her to live a healthier and more comfortable life. Liza's mother shared: "We hope after surgery Liza will stop having sore throats, and it will be easy for her to swallow."

Rith is a 9-month-old baby from Cambodia. He is the youngest child, with three older sisters. Rith's mother stays home to look after the children, while his father works in construction. Rith's mom shared that he is a playful baby who only likes sweet foods - and he is not a fan of rice! About six months ago, Rith developed a mass on his forehead. The mass is swollen and causing his parents great concern. They traveled with Rith to our medical partner's care center so he can receive treatment. On January 31st, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. CSC is requesting $273 to fund this procedure, and Rith's family was able to contribute $75 to his care. Rith's mom said: "After surgery, I hope he looks better, and I don't have to worry."

Meet Meng Ly, a nine-year-old 2nd grade student, living with his father - who is a rice farmer - and younger brother.. Meng Ly enjoys reading and playing football when he is not in school. A year ago, Meng Ly developed a sore throat, and also began to experience difficulty swallowing, and hearing clearly. Frequently unwell, Meng Ly began to miss school. Finally, he was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which require surgical intervention, to prevent his symptoms from persisting, and possibly intensifying over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Meng Ly, which is scheduled to take place on September 8th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, relieving Meng Ly of his symptoms, and enabling him to live much more comfortably, and to enjoy the life of a nine year old boy. Meng Ly says: "I hope I can eat and drink without pain."

Ethan is a playful 4-year-old boy from the Philippines. He loves to play with his toys, write letters and draw shapes. His father works as a part-time primary school teacher, while his mother is a full-time mom. Ethan was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Ethan undergo treatment. He is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on October 22nd. A portion of the cost of his treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $434 to cover the remaining cost of Ethan's procedure and care. After his recovery, Ethan will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. "We are financially incapable to finance our son's needed treatment. Despite his young age, he already knows his condition. He is shy to go outside to play with other kids, and tries to hide his colostomy bag," Ethan's mother shared tearfully. "With this free surgery, Ethan will have a chance to grow normally. I'm thankful to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for this life-changing opportunity for Ethan," she added.

Sonem is a 71-year-old rice farmer. He is married and has three daughters, four sons, and 16 grandchildren. He currently lives with his sister, who is a farmer, because his wife unfortunately passed away. During his free time, Sonem likes to listen to the news on the radio and watch TV. One year ago, Sonem developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to experience light sensitivity, eye tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he is not able to go places on his own. When Sonem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 6th, doctors will perform a small incision 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 $253 procedure. Sonem says, "I hope I can see clearly enough to return to the rice field again."

Hong is a man from Cambodia. He has two sons and three daughters. He enjoys tending to his vegetable garden. One month ago, he had an accident at work and he fell from a scaffolding and lost consciousness for 10 minutes. He dislocated his right elbow. He needs to undergo a reduction procedure to help his elbow to regain mobility and to allow him to live without chronic pain. Surgery is scheduled for July 9. Now, he needs help funding this $390 procedure. He says, "I hope better after the operation I am feeling better, and I can move without pain."

Elizabeth is a thirteen-year-old girl from Tanzania who loves school. She is currently in sixth grade and wants to become a doctor one day. A year ago, Elizabeth started experiencing shortness of breath and having trouble breathing. Her mother took her to the hospital, where Elizabeth was diagnosed with a tonsil infection. Although she was administered medication, her symptoms have only gotten worse. She cannot sleep through the night, and she experiences fevers on a regular basis. Elizabeth needs a tonsillectomy to heal her throat. Without this treatment, Elizabeth will continue to have a hard time breathing and swallowing, and risks recurrent infections. Soon, her school attendance and performance will likely begin to suffer—a huge disappointment for the would-be doctor. Although Elizabeth’s parents cannot afford the cost of surgery, there is hope. For $633, we can sponsor her operation, set to take place on August 3. This funding will also cover the cost of her four-day hospital visit and month-long rehabilitation stay. Let’s help Elizabeth heal—so that she can one day do the same for others.

Ram is a 60-year-old man from Nepal who takes care of a household of six. He works as a farmer, but he has difficulty providing for his family's needs. About three years ago, Ram started to experience swelling on the right side of his groin. Within a few days, walking became painful. At a district hospital, he was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. In other words, part of his intestine had bulged through his abdominal wall. Doctors from the district hospital referred Ram to our medical partner's care center, Bayalpata Hospital. Ram is currently scheduled to undergo repair surgery on January 8. Our medical partner, Possible, is requesting $451 to cover the expenses of the procedure, which will include the costs of the hospital stay, the medication, and the required X-rays. Ram is hopeful for the future, and says, "I wish that I could be fine again."

Matabwa is a 30-year-old father of four from a village in Malawi's Central Region. He supports his family through farming a variety of crops. He also assists his wife with cooking, cleaning, and collecting water. In his free time, Matabwa likes playing soccer with his friends and neighbors. Two years ago, Matabwa started experiencing pain from an inguinal hernia-- a condition in which intestinal tissue protrudes through a weakness in the lower abdominal wall. The pain has started to interfere with his ability to work and conduct household tasks, and he has been unable to receive medical treatment until now. Matabwa's condition is entirely treatable with a $613 surgery to return the herniated tissue to his abdominal cavity. After the surgery and a three-day hospital stay, Matabwa is expected to make a full recovery. He and his family are very excited for him to return to his normal life. "I feel very happy to have the operation," says Matabwa.

Vannak is a 43-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married with two daughters and enjoys cooking food and cleaning her home. Vannak traveled one hour with her brother to reach Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. When she was seven years old, Vannak developed an ear infection that caused her left tympanic membrane (eardrum) to perforate. As a result, she experiences ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. Vannak is unhappy that she has ear pain, and her poor hearing makes it difficult to communicate with other people at work. Surgeons at CSC will perform a $399 myringoplasty procedure-- an operation to close the perforated membrane-- on Vannak's left ear. This surgery will treat the infection and put an end to her ear pain and discharge. Over time, Vannak's hearing will improve and allow her to resume effective communication and work.