Mal is a 29-year-old woman from Burma. She is a housewife who looks after her two daughters. Her husband is a pastor. One day in April 2016, Mal woke up with blurry vision in her right eye. She visited an optometrist, thinking that she may need glasses. She was told, however, that this was not an eye problem and was told to visit the hospital in Mandalay, where they would be better equipped to handle her treatment. At the hospital in Mandalay, she was given oral medication, but this did not help at all. Finally, she had an MRI, which showed a large mass or tumor growing in her brain and exerting pressure on her ocular nerves. Mal experienced headaches and lost her vision in both eyes. Mal sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on January 15. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Until she lost her vision, Mal used to help teach the congregation’s children every Saturday at Sabbath School. She also used to sew clothes for her own children and she loved to read. “I hope I will be able to do this again,” says Mal.

Benard is a farmer from Malawi. Benard and his wife live in a small village. To supplement the family income, they raise goats and chickens. In his free time, Benard likes to sit and chat with his wife. For eight years, Benard has been experiencing severe pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Benard's surgery. On November 14, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Bernard was overjoyed when told he would finally get surgery. He has been unable to work due to his health, and he is ready to be able to work his farm and tend his animals again. He says, "Thanks to all of the Watsi partners and the surgeons; soon I will be free from this problem!"

Dorcas is a seven-year-old girl and bright student from Kenya. She dreams of being a politician or doctor when she grows up. Dorcas has clubfoot, a condition in which the bottom of her foot curves inward and upward, making it difficult and painful to walk. She has been using orthotics and doing physical therapy, but her condition is not improving. She sometimes falls as she walks and plays with other kids. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund surgery to correct her clubfoot, which is scheduled for July 10. Dorcas and her mother hope the treatment will allow her to walk comfortably. "I would love to see my daughter walking well and progressing with her studies. She is a very bright girl and an achiever. I ask for support because I really cannot afford the bill," her mother says.

17-year-old Harun is a secondary school student who lives in central Kenya. He is the oldest of three children in his family. His father is a farmer, and his mother stays at home. The family had been living in a rental house until they built a two-room house with the help of well-wishers and their extended family. Harun has bilateral clubfoot, a condition in which both of his feet are twisted out of position due to short tendons in his feet and ankles. As a result, Harun cannot walk for long distances. His condition was neglected because his parents feared huge medical bills that they could not afford. Treatment for clubfoot is surgery to release the tendons in the involved foot and ankle. Doctors then move the foot into the proper position and place it in a cast for up to two months. After the casts are removed, some patients wear a brace for a year or more to maintain the proper position of the foot. Harun's surgeons plan to start treatment on his left foot on August 21 and treat his right foot at a later date. "We cannot afford the bill as stipulated, and we request your help," shares Harun's father. Watsi's medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,224 to pay for Harun's surgery, six-day hospital stay, lab tests, medicine, and surgical supplies. Hardworking and focused both at school and at home, Harun aspires to become a doctor when he grows up. Let's help fund his surgery!

Meet Zoe, a four-year-old girl who lives in the Philippines with her mother and father. Zoe is in preschool and loves to play dress up—she likes to pretend she is a princess. Her father is a handyman, and her mother works in retail. When Zoe was born, she was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot. This rare condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to Zoe's body, leaving her sickly and weak. Although Zoe is not from Haiti, Watsi's medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, helped to coordinate an open heart surgery for her in the Cayman Islands on March 24. This $20,000 surgery is being subsidized by Health City Cayman Islands. $1,500 will cover her lab tests, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. These funds will also support passport obtainment and the social workers who will accompany Zoe's family overseas. Zoe is the only child in her family, and her parents are very excited for her medical treatment. "I am so grateful to everyone who is helping us travel around the world to be able to have this surgery!" shares Zoe's mother.

Marjorie is a 44-year-old woman from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She lives with her husband, son, and two daughters. Marjorie is a stay at home mother and dedicated church member. She enjoys participating in church events and taking care of her children. In May 2015, Marjorie noticed a small mass in her breast. She went to the doctor and had a mammogram and sonogram. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Marjorie initially hid her diagnosis from her family hoping to protect them from pain and worry. However, as her condition progressed she could no longer hide her illness. With the support of her church, she sought treatment and began chemotherapy in February 2017. Marjorie continues to try and take care of her children and household but has trouble with daily functioning and relies heavily on her family and friends. Doctors have recommended that Marjorie have a mastectomy. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is requesting $1,085 to fund Marjorie's operation, which will be performed on May 31. Marjorie hopes that this surgery will allow her to regain her health and be there for her children. She says, “A child needs their mother to take care of them and give them advice about life. I want to be able to do that for my own.”

Meet Harrison, a husband and young father. On October 2, 2016, Harrison was in a road accident while riding his motorbike, and he fractured his right leg. Harrison was taken to a hospital, where a splint was applied. However, he continued to feel pain and numbness in his leg. He relied on his wife and friends for daily support. Without treatment, Harrison was at risk of infection, loss of function, and permanent disability. Fortunately, Harrison received treatment from our medical partner on November 2, 2016. Harrison is the sole breadwinner of his young family. His friends and his church helped to pay for his first hospital bill. Now, he needs our help to fund this $1,451 procedure. “I want to be well to continue providing for my family and proceed with my education," says Harrison.

Chet is a 40-year-old farmer from Nepal. He lives with his wife and children. Seven days ago, while chopping wood, Chet accidentally cut his left hand. He bandaged it and thought nothing of it. Over the week, his hand began to swell and discharge pus. It became increasingly painful and difficult for him to carry out his daily chores. He first tried to heal the wound with herbal medicine, but it did little to improve his wound. He finally made the two-hour journey by foot to the hospital. Physicians have diagnosed Chet with an abscess. If left untreated, the abscess may spread and create further damage to the surrounding tissue. Instead, surgeons will create an incision to drain the abscess. Once drained, the wound will be cleaned out and hygienically dressed. Our medical partner, Possible, is asking for $157 to fund Chet's procedure and wound care, scheduled to take place on April 18. Chet says, "I came here with a hope to get well soon."

Rith is a 23-year-old motorcycle mechanic from Cambodia. In his free time, Rith likes to play football, watch TV, and listen to music. About two months ago, the superior helix of Rith's left ear was traumatically hit by a chain. He subsequently developed a left ear infection. Rith experiences ear discharge, pain, and swelling, which makes it difficult for him to work. Rith learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), from his local hospital. He traveled for two hours with his mother to reach CSC for treatment. On April 3, Rith will undergo an incision and drainage procedure on his left ear. After recovery, Rith's symptoms will improve. CSC is requesting $224 to fund this procedure.

Joy is a playful young girl from Kenya. She lives with her parents and older brother. Her mother works as a contract accountant, and her father sells carpets to support their family. When Joy was one year old, her parents noticed that she had hearing and speech difficulties. They took her to a local hospital, but due to economic hardship, could not follow through on treatment. In 2016, Joy was taken to AIC Kijabe Hospital, our medial partner's care center, where she took an auditory test. The test results revealed that Joy has severe hearing loss and would highly benefit from hearing aids. On March 21, Joy will receive hearing aids to help her condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $929 to cover the cost of her treatment. After receiving hearing aids, Joy will be able to develop normally and lead a happy life!

Leab is a 57-year-old housewife with two sons, four daughters, and five grandchildren. She is from Cambodia. About six months ago, Leab developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and cloudy lenses. It is difficult for her to see clearly, recognize faces, do any work, and go outside on her own. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), has recommended a cataract surgery that will replace the lenses in Leab's eyes. CSC has requested $292 for her operation. The surgery will take place January 17. After the procedure, Leab will be able to see clearly again. "I hope to see everything more clearly than now," Leab says, "so that I can easily do my housework, cook, clean, take care of my grandchildren, and go anywhere outside by myself."

George is an 80-year-old man. He and his wife, Peace, live in a small town in Uganda. They have nine children and 20 grandchildren. George has worked hard all his life and still does a bit of digging in the garden. He likes to weave mats, which he sells to help buy supplies, like soap and sugar. George and his wife enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and sharing stories about the early days in their villages. For the past four months, George has experienced pain from a swollen prostate gland, which has made passing urine very difficult. His doctor recommends removing the gland. George is scheduled to receive treatment on January 12, and our medical partner is requesting $314 to help fund his hospital stay and his surgery. “If I could, I would write to the donors to say thank you very much for their help," says George. "I will ask God to bless them.”