Atalemwa is an eight-year-old from Uganda. He's in the second grade and a diligent student. When he grows up, Atalemwa dreams of becoming a doctor. He and his younger sister lost their mother in a traffic accident five years ago. Their father is a farmer, but since he works long days to support the family, Atalemwa and his sister often stay with their aunt. Atalemwa began developing a swelling in his scrotum when he was an infant. After a few years, his father took him to a local hospital, where he was diagnosed with right hydrocele—a sac of fluid surrounding his right testicle. The doctor advised Atalemwa's father to hold off on surgery until Atalemwa was at least seven years old. Unfortunately now that he's old enough, his father can't afford the cost. Earlier this year, a neighbor had received funding from Watsi for a surgery. While at the hospital, he saw several children Atalemwa's age who were also receiving financial assistance for their treatments. When he returned home, he encouraged Atalemwa's father and aunt to connect with Watsi for help. On June 21, Atalemwa will receive hydrocele repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $185 to fund the procedure. Atalemwa's family is grateful to Watsi for enabling Atalemwa to receive the treatment he needs to grow up healthy and happy. "My nephew will no long have sleepless nights. He won’t be in pain anymore," says his aunt.

Mary Jane is an eight-year-old girl who loves to play with the children in her neighborhood. She lives with her parents, and her father works as a farmer. Mary Jane has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens her growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, she will begin $173 malnutrition treatment on July 7. Mary Jane will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Mary Jane's mother has high hopes for her daughter's future. She says, "I hope my daughter will recover from malnutrition and finish studies so that she can be a great help to her family in the future."

Yoy is a 76-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married with four sons, two daughters, and six grandchildren. She likes to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. Three months ago, Yoy developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, pain, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, working, and going anywhere outside. When Yoy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On November 30, doctors performed a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Yoy will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope that my eyes can see everything clearly, so that I can find some work," she says. "I also want to be able to go anywhere by myself."

San is a 36-year-old woman who lives in Bangkok with her husband. She used to work on a construction site, but recent health issues have prevented her from working. Her husband, who works as a bricklayer, is the sole income earner for the family. When San was 21 years old, she began to experience painful gynecological symptoms. She managed her condition with painkillers. When she turned 28 years old, the pain grew severe. She visited a nearby clinic, where she learned that she had a mass in her uterus. She was advised to undergo surgery. Fearing surgery, San decided to return home. Eventually, San began to experience painful symptoms again. She used oral medications, until the pain grew severe in November of 2016. San visited a private hospital, where an ultrasound revealed a mass in her uterus. San’s friends suggested that she visit our medical partner’s care center, Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). They loaned San money to make the journey from Bangkok to MTC. San was diagnosed with a myoma, a benign tumor that develops in or around the uterus. On January 5, she will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy. This procedure will alleviate her symptoms and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner is requesting $1,500 to fund this treatment. “My wife has been sick since we got married. It makes me sad,” says San’s husband, “But now I’m very happy from hearing that we will receive help for her surgery. This means we will overcome this problem soon.”

Jackson is a 30-year-old man from Kenya. He used to work on a construction site, and he used his savings to pay his sister's school fees. Unfortunately, a road accident in 2014 left Jackson with fractures in his right tibia. After the accident, Jackson underwent two surgeries. Unfortunately, he could not afford the additional surgery required to complete his treatment. Since then, he has been walking on crutches. Fortunately, Jackson was referred to our medical partner's hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital. On December 7, he underwent a bone transport procedure. This surgery will allow him to use his leg and will prevent severe infection. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has requested $1,500 to fund his healthcare. “I want to be able to walk again and provide for my sister," says Jackson.

Chivorn is 17 years old. She has two sisters and one brother. She likes to watch Khmer and Thai movies on TV, listen to the news on the radio, and draw pictures. Chivorn has been diagnosed with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder characterized by bones that break easily. She has sustained several fractures in her lifetime. She has visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), many times for treatment to heal fractures caused by her disorder. Between her operations, she completes physiotherapy and follow-up appointments at CSC. Recently, Chivorn returned to CSC with pain in her left knee and left tibia. On December 1, surgeons at CSC performed an osteotomy procedure in her left tibia to align her bones. After recovery, she should be able to walk more easily. CSC is requesting $411 to fund this procedure.

Meet Gideon, an ambitious teenager about to begin his final year of high school. Gideon has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the mandible. He has a cancerous swelling in his jaw. Gideon first noticed the swelling in April. He cannot chew food, and he has not been able to attend school. Fortunately, on December 6, he underwent a flap surgery to remove and replace his mandible. Gideon lives in a house made of mud and grass. His parents are farmers, and he has five siblings. His older brother has paid Gideon's school fees with savings from his motorcycle-transport business. His family has raised $500 to pay for his surgery, but they need help to pay the remaining $1,500 medical bill. Treatment will reduce the chance of cancer metastasis. Gideon will be able to return to school, where he hopes to excel in his final year exams. “I want to be well," he says, "and continue with my education as a normal student with fewer health complications."

Meet Kadango, a 60-year-old man who lives in Malawi and works as a farmer. For the past two months, Kadango has been experiencing symptoms of an enlarged prostate. In this condition, the prostate becomes abnormally big (though not cancerous) and puts pressure on the urethra, the channel that moves urine out of the patient’s bladder. As a result, Kadango has difficulty urinating, and has been using a catheter. Unfortunately, though, the catheter is prone to leaking and discomfort, leaving him with pain and inconvenience. An operation known as a prostate resection would help him. In this procedure, doctors remove parts of his enlarged prostate to reduce it to a healthier size. Kandango cannot afford this surgery on the salary he earns as a farmer. $742 covers the cost of the operation, as well as Kandango’s medications, travel, and stay at the hospital. Kadango is expected to make a complete recovery after the operation. He is excited to receive his surgery and be able to resume his life catheter-free.

Beatrice is a 46-year-old single woman from Kenya who is fighting cervical cancer. She works as a security guard and lives in a single-room house where she pays rent from her small salary. In 2013, Beatrice began experiencing uncontrolled vaginal bleeding. She visited a dispensary and received medicine, but the bleeding began again in October of 2015 and has persisted since then. A pap smear performed in June revealed that Beatrice has high-grade cervical cancer. She requires a hysterectomy, but she cannot afford the surgery or even medicine to help control the bleeding. If Beatrice does not receive treatment, the cancer will likely spread, leading to her premature death. Due to frequent hospital visits and lower abdominal pain from her condition, Beatrice has not been able to work consistently and barely earns enough money to meet her daily needs. Her four brothers face their own economic challenges and are unable to provide financial support. In addition, Beatrice's elderly mother has been hospitalized several times this year. For $800, Beatrice will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus and cervix and prevent the spread of the cancer. Funding also covers the costs of four days of inpatient care, including meals, blood work, and medicine. "My only wish is to get well and reduce the pain I have," shares Beatrice, who has had difficulty coming to terms with her condition. "I want to live and be there for my mother."

"I wish to become an accountant when I grow up so I can help my mother with her business," shares Phyu Zin, a 13-year-old girl who is quick to smile and laugh. In school, she likes her math courses, and in her free time, she enjoys watching movies and spending time with school friends and her cousin. Phyu Zin lives with her parents, two older sisters, brother in-law, and niece in Burma. Her father works in the lumber industry, felling trees and sawing them into construction planks. The family’s average income is sufficient for their day-to-day needs, with limited savings and funds for healthcare expenses. At two months of age, Phyu Zin developed pneumonia with a fever and nasal drainage. Her parents took her to Kawkareik Clinic for medication. Upon examining the girl, the doctor detected a heart condition known as tetralogy of Fallot—a congenital disease comprising four different heart defects that cause oxygen-poor blood to flow from the heart to the rest of the body. Phyu Zin returned to the clinic three times in her first year of life for repeat incidents of fever. On each occasion, she was medicated for her immediate symptoms. When Phyu Zin was eight years old, her symptoms worsened. She was always tired, and exercise easily fatigued her. She was tired at school and could not walk far or fast. In addition, she experienced several spells of dizziness at school. Until two months ago, Phyu Zin was a student in the sixth grade. However, her declining health forced her to drop out of school, as she could not keep up with her class work and the large, noisy classes made her uncomfortable. Her current symptoms are difficulty breathing—especially when active—and she is easily fatigued. Her mother places cold compresses on her when her breathing is labored. The past several years have been very difficult for Phyu Zin's family, as so much time, energy and resources have been dedicated to Phyu Zin. They have been worried about their ability to secure treatment for her and were glad to learn about Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) from a family member. Phyu Zin's parents brought her to MTC, and the medics referred her to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) as a surgical candidate. For $1500, Phyu Zin will receive a complete diagnostic workup to assess her heart function and undergo corrective surgery to restore normal blood flow within her heart. Funding also covers the costs of 12 pre- and post-operative consultations, transportation to and from the hospital, and three weeks of hospital care during assessment and recovery.

Meet Adrian, a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says, “Adrian likes being around other children and to play, he especially enjoys scribbling things on a piece of paper, coloring some pictures, and playing with Lego blocks.” When Adrian was two years old, “His mother saw that her son’s legs were unusually bowing outwards and that his gait was gradually changing; she started giving him some multivitamins and other herbal remedies, but nothing helped,” AMHF explains. Adrian has a condition called bilateral genu varus. This is the misalignment of the knee joint and femur, common in Tanzania as a result of the high levels of fluoride in the water. AMHF reports, “Adrian is unable to walk properly, he wiggles when walking and sometimes he falls down when he tries to run – if not treated, Adrian will have an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” Adrian needs a surgery called an osteotomy to re-align the bones and the joint. $940 will fund Adrian’s surgery, hospital stay, antibiotics, painkillers and recovery care. Funding also provides for Adrian’s four-month stay at Plaster House—a rehabilitation facility in which medical staff supervise the children’s care, while housemothers look after them on a daily basis. Adrian’s mother says, “I just hope that his legs can be straightened so that he can continue with normal growth, have the ability to walk to school and do other things like his siblings.”

"Touch is very excited to have his leg healed and be back to working for his children, so his wife doesn't have to shoulder the load of supporting everyone,” reports our medical partners at Children’s Surgical Centre. Touch is a 38-year-old father of five children and nine months ago, he was in a serious motorcycle accident in his town in Cambodia. Touch severely broke his leg in the accident several months ago. He has not been able to walk well or work in his auto shop since then, causing him to be extremely dependent on his wife. Touch has been on bed rest for months and loves when his friends and neighbors come to visit him, but is looking forward to being able to leave his house soon! For $405, Touch will have his leg operated on to properly set his fracture. After this surgery, Touch's leg will heal properly so that he can walk once again without pain and return to his active life as a husband, father, and friend!