Eh Htoo is a 17-year-old girl living on the border of Burma and Thailand with her sister’s family. Her sister and her husband have two children; a 3-year-old girl and 4-month old-boy. Her sister works as a teacher and her sister’s husband works as a social worker in a clinic. Their combined income every month is just enough to cover their living expenses. Eh Htoo's mother and father are living in Burma and work as farmers. Eh Htoo's sister says that the life in Burma was challenging. It was hard to find a job and the salary was not enough to feed the whole family, so she decided to move to Thailand. Eh Htoo is studying 9th grade in school. In her free time she likes to read the Bible, listen to music, and watch movies. Eh Htoo has a congenital deformity on her left foot. She went to a screening in her town with the hope of getting some medical treatment for her foot. The doctor examined her and when he was listening to her heart, he detected a cardiac problem. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Watsi's medical partner, who told Eh Htoo that they could not help her with her foot until she had received cardiac surgery. Eh Htoo was very sad when she heard the news about her heart condition. She was not aware of any symptoms relating to her ventricular septal defect (VSD) diagnosis. Fortunately, we can help. $1,500 will cover the cost of life-changing heart surgery for Eh Htoo. After successful cardiac surgery, Eh Htoo will be able to have her planned foot surgery. She will not have to worry about future problems associated with her VSD diagnosis. Eh Htoo is thankful for the opportunity to receive surgery. "I want to continue my studies and in the future I want to be either a teacher or a doctor," she shares.

“Nemrani is a quiet and polite boy,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is a 16-year-old from Tanzania, where he lives in a large family. “His father married six wives, and Nemrani’s mother is the fifth wife and has six children,” AMHF adds. Nemrani went to school up until grade four, “when his right leg slowly started to bow inwards and walking the long distance to school became a problem," AMHF says. “He used to enjoy playing soccer, and he now herds his father’s cattle, but he cannot go far." Nemrani has what is commonly called “knock knees,” and AMHF reports that "he feels pain after running and he can’t walk or run long distances, and if not treated, Nemrani will be at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.” $940 will allow Nemrani to have the surgery he needs to correct his gait, and with it, AMHF says, “Nemrani will be able to walk without knocking knees.” Nemrani’s mother makes and sells beaded jewelry at the market, and his father is a livestock keeper. “With such a big family to look after, it has been difficult to come up with enough cash to cover the cost of operation which Nemrani needs," AMHF adds. “I will be happy to walk without knocking knees and have the ability to walk and run long distances,” shares Nemrani.

“Sometimes I feel depressed about my current situation, and I am worried. I just want to be healthy and happy,” says Su, a 42-year-old woman living in Burma. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us that two years ago, Su began experiencing severe abdominal pain due to a mass in her uterus, called a uterine myoma. The mass was found after a long history of pregnancy complications and vaginal bleeding. Su has sought out medical attention numerous times to no avail. Because of Su’s abdominal pain, she has been forced to stop working as a private teacher, and instead do part-time teaching. This has caused a reduction in her income, forcing her to borrow money for medical expenses. BBP can treat Su through surgeries to remove her uterus and ovaries, known as a hysterectomy and oophorectomy. For $1,500, Su will undergo these two procedures in addition to prolapse surgery to ensure that her lower abdominal organs remain in place. The cost includes a 7-day hospital stay with food, and post-surgical care. “I would like to work more and go to computer training, so that I can learn how to use a computer,” shares Su. “I want to learn new things and work hard.” “With treatment for her myoma, Su should be able to return to her work and commence paying of the debts she has incurred while she has been unwell,” adds BBP. “She can commence computer classes and following her dreams.”

Meet Josias, a 10-month-old baby boy from Guatemala with acute malnutrition. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), “Josias is far below the average height for his age and weight for his age. He is slow to develop milestones and at 10 months he cannot sit by himself, say any words at all, crawl or walk.” “Josias has low energy and his family just simply does not have enough money to buy him nutrient-rich food," WK adds. "Without intervention his weight and height will continue to fall away from the growth curve and he will be at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition.” To support their family, Josias’ father works as a day laborer, while his mother weaves fabric to sell. However, their combined income is not enough to afford the medical care that Josias needs. In indigenous Mayan communities like Josias', rates of malnutrition are some of the highest in the world. In the majority of cases, this condition is linked with limited education and regional food insecurity. For $535, Josias will be treated for acute malnutrition. During a three-month period, micronutrient food supplements will be added into his diet, gradually returning him to healthy nutrient levels. Josias’ mother will also take part in an intensive nutrition education, equipping her with the skills and knowledge to care for Josias’ nutritional needs as he continues to develop. WK states, “This treatment will provide Josias with micronutrient and food supplementation as well as medication to stop infections and improve his state of malnutrition. He will start to recoup the height and weight he has lost and his immune system will improve. He will decrease his risk of chronic disease in adulthood, and will have more energy to concentrate and succeed in school.” Josias’ mother expresses, “I just want him to be healthy and strong and be able to study one day.”

Meet Seang, a 14-year-old girl from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Seang is a student in grade three and she has two brothers and one sister.” Since Seang was five months old, she has had chronic otitis media -- an infection of the inner ear. This infection has caused perforation of both her eardrums, and she cannot hear well. CSC shares: “Seang feels unhappy because she cannot communicate with other children at school.” Although Seang received treatment at a local health center, her condition did not improve. With $598, Seang will receive a myringoplasty to close her eardrum perforation and drain excess fluid in her ear. “After treatment, pain and discharge from her ear will decrease,” says CSC. With time, Seang’s hearing should improve as well. Her sister shares, “I worry about my youngest sister so much. It is hard for her to talk with other children at school.” Seang hopes that after the operation, she will be able to hear and communicate better.

Rahurensia, a 53-year-old single mother of four lives in Uganda end enjoys working in the garden and eating good food. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that Rahurensia has been married twice but has lost both of her husbands. She has three children in primary school, and her eldest son works as a brick maker to help support their family. Rahurensia has an inguinal hernia, a condition where tissue swells and bulges through part of the abdominal muscles. AMHF tells us that Rahurensia had this hernia which causes abdominal pain, constipation, and vomiting for the past eight years. "Two years ago, the abdominal pain increased forcing Rahurensia to seek medical attention even if she didn’t have enough money. At the clinic, Rahurensia was told she has a hernia that needed surgery," AMHF shares. "As she could not afford to pay for surgery, Rahurensia kept buying pain killers whenever she would get some money- to temporarily relieve the pain." If left untreated, Rahurensia's hernia will likely obstruct her intestines. $220 will pay for Rahurensia's operation to repair her hernia. "Rahurensia hopes to get well after surgery and continue working in her garden to support her family," AMHF tells us. This procedure will get rid of her abdominal pain and any risk of intestinal obstruction, and she will be able to return to her garden work. "I will always pray for everyone who wants to help me," Rahurensia says with a smile on her face.

Meet Zin Mar, a 32-year-old newlywed from Burma. Zin Mar lives with her husband, who is a shop keeper, and his family. Zin Mar has a uterine myoma, a large and uncomfortable mass on her uterus. This condition has greatly worried Zin Mar, who wants to have children more than anything, as it can cause infertility if left untreated. $865 will remove the mass and send Zin Mar home, happy and ready to have a baby whenever she and her husband decide is right. “In Burma, no one can support my medical care,” shares Zin Mar. “I am very lucky to have found this program. All I want in the future is to recover quickly and to be able to give my husband a baby. I want to live with my family – my husband and my children and be happy.”

Meet Koem Sok, a 63-year-old mother and grandmother from Cambodia! She has ten children, many grandchildren, and her favorite activity is reading about Buddhism with monks in the pagoda. A few weeks ago, Koem Sok sustained a femoral fracture when she fell down in her home. The fractured bone is part of her hip and she has not been able to walk since the accident. Koem Sok has never seen a doctor before and has only used traditional medicine. A friend urged her to come to Watsi's partner hospital, Children's Surgical Centre, where she can receive a hip replacement and physiotherapy to restore her mobility. Koem Sok really wants to be able to walk again, and spend active time with her large and loving family. For $500, we can help her access a total hip replacement and physiotherapy so she can get back on her feet and walk free of pain!