Mary struggles with ambulation due to a spinal complication she is having. This has been the struggle for the past 12 months and continues to strain her daily life. Mary complained of fatigue and back pain in October of 2018 and sought treatment in a nearby hospital and was given no conclusive diagnosis. She was then referred to a more advanced facility and came to Kijabe. Mary had MRI and X-ray imaging done and was diagnosed with TB of the spine. Her surgeon recommended spinal decompression and fusion surgery to correct the condition. If not treated, Mary will continue experiencing much pain and ambulation struggles. Mary is a mother of 4 children and together, they live in her parent's house. Mary used to sell second-hand clothes but stopped in October when she could not bear the persistent fatigue and pain. Currently, her needs and those of her children are met by her relatives. She is not able to raise the full amount required for surgery.

Alphatina is a mother of two children from Kenya. She loves their presence and since leaving the hospital, she has grown even more fond of them. Alphatina used to trade in second-hand clothes as well as potatoes supplementing what his husband brought from his carpentry job. Alphatina suffered burns when the kerosene stove she was using blew up in July 2016. She had burns on part of her trunk, hands and neck. She suffers from frequent infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Alphatina receive treatment. On August 22nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help her heal well and reduce the risk of sepsis. Now, Alphatina needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Alphatina says, “I am grateful for continued help from Watsi. I want to fully recover and be able to raise my children”.

Tin is a 25-year-old woman from Burma. She is a mother of two daughters and she lives with her family in the village in Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State. Since December of 2018, Tin has been experiencing lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with a dermoid cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Tin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Tin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on March 26. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer suffers from abdominal pain and she will be able to be with her family happily again. Tin says, “I miss my daughters and I want to have surgery soon. I want to get well and return home. I want to live my life freely without any disease in my body.”

Rubera is a child from Uganda. Rubera’s parents are from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is a playful child. Rubera was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Rubera is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His father says, “My income is limited to support all the needs of the family and now we learned our boy has this condition and he need surgery. We cannot afford for the medical bill. We learned from a physician about Watsi and its support for those who can’t afford medical costs. That is why we came here for support on your side.”

Christina is a young child from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. Unfortunately, Christina's father passed way. This left Christina's mother with three children to support without a job. She started a small business of cooking food in local hotel to support her children. Christina was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs are bent outwards at the knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she experiences discomfort after walking for a short distance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Christina. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 10. Treatment will hopefully restore Christina's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Christian’s mother says, “ Please help my daughter. My financial state is not good; I am unable to afford the surgery cost.”

Richard is a laborer from Kenya. He is married and a father of two children. One day in June, as Richard was going home from work, he was hit by a vehicle and sustained an open fracture of his right tibia bone. He is not able to walk and uses a wheelchair to move. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 12, Richard will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again and go back to work once he is fully recovered. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure. “I have a lot of pain and am afraid to delay the surgery. My family is still very young and require my support. Kindly help me so that I can be well again to earn for my family," he says.

Elias is a happy and active child from Tanzania. He has not started school yet. He loves playing with other kids. Elias lives with his parents and his older brothers and sisters. The family lives in a rented house in eastern zone of Tanzania. Since birth, Elias has had an inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him pain and discomfort and may lead to tissue damage. Fortunately, on April 11, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $539 to fund Elias's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I am hoping that Elias will receive treatment and will grow well. God bless you all. I will never be able to repay this kindness,” Elias’s father says.

Chanthy is a nurse from Cambodia. She has one daughter and one son. She enjoys sewing and watching Thai dramas on TV. About 18 years ago, Chanthy developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, pain, irritation, and photophobia. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Chanthy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. Chanthy needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 2. She says, "I hope I can see everything clearly after surgery. I want to continue my work at the hospital again. I hope to be able to go outside without my pterygium problems anymore."

Owarwe is a farmer from Uganda. He is married with nine children, and all are married. He and his wife are small-scale farmers. Seven years ago, Owarwe developed an abdominal swelling. If not treated, the abdominal mass will continue growing and cause pain and discomfort. Owarwe traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 6, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Owarwe needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Owarwe says, “I hope to continue with cultivation and hope to have a better quality of life after surgery.”

Samnang is a three-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has five brothers and three sisters. She is the baby of the family. She likes to play with toys. One year ago, she was burned by a fire on her fingers. It is difficult for her to hold onto things and use the burned fingers. When Samnang's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On February 2, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to to help her use her hand again. Now, Samnang's family needs help to fund this $440 procedure. Her mother says, "I hope my daughter can use her fingers again and return home to her family."

Alonso is a 55-year-old man who lives with his wife and daughter in rural Guatemala. Years ago, Alonso's leg had to be clinically amputated after he experienced complications related to diabetes. Alonso's life changed drastically after he lost his leg, for he has difficulty walking and working. He now is in need of a prosthetic leg. Before his leg was amputated, Alonso worked in construction. Now, in order to keep supporting his family, Alonso works in agriculture in the local countryside. Alonso provides his family's only source of income, but he does not earn enough to cover the cost of a prosthetic leg. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Alonso is scheduled to receive his $1,166 prosthetic leg on August 8. Receiving a prosthetic leg will change Alonso's life. He hopes that receiving a prosthetic will allow him to find a different job so that he can support his wife and take care of their family better.

Yar Blu is an 18-month-old baby girl from Burma. She lives in a refugee settlement with her parents and eight older siblings. Her oldest siblings are in Bible school, and her other siblings are enrolled in the camp's school. Her father works as a medic to support their family, and up until giving birth to Yar Blu, her mother taught in the camp. When Yar Blu was born, doctors noticed a small mass on the bridge of her nose, and recommended she return for surgery when she was three months of age. She has now been diagnosed with encephalocele, a defect in neural tube formation. On June 25 Yar Blu will undergo correctional surgery at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of her operation. After surgery, Yar Blu and her family are looking forward to a speedy recovery!