Souling is a ten-month-old infant from Cambodia. She is the youngest of four children, with two older sisters and a brother. Her older siblings are in primary school. Her parents run a small business in Banteay Mean Chey province, selling construction materials to support the family. Due to a difficult birth, Souling was born with a weakness in her right shoulder, arm, and hand, rendering her unable to move them. She has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on her right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Souling underwent treatment at a public hospital and was referred to physiotherapy, which has helped her regain some movement in her fingers, hand, and elbow. However, she still cannot move her wrist and is unable to grasp objects. Specialty surgeons have determined that she will benefit from a muscle transfer procedure. Souling and her mother traveled to our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On October 16th, she will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, she will be able to improve her grip and strength in her affected arm. Souling's family was able to contribute $100 towards her medical care and need help raising an additional $609 for the procedure. Souling's mother says: "We hope that Souling will not face any difficulties as she grows up and that she will be able to move her arm and hand with ease."

Lewis is a resilient 19-year-old from Kiambaa County in Kenya. As the youngest of three siblings, he has just finished secondary school, ready to embark on a new chapter in life filled with hope and possibilities. Unfortunately, over the past year, Lewis has been facing some serious health challenges that have kept him from pursuing his dreams. He started experiencing persistent headaches and abdominal pain, and despite receiving treatment for various infections, his condition did not improve. Determined to find answers, Lewis and his family sought help at our medical partner's care center, Nazareth Hospital, where it was found that fluid has been building up in his belly, which is causing him discomfort and causing him to feel unwell. He also has swollen glands in his abdomen, which can be a sign that something is wrong and needs attention Without treatment, Lewis will continue to experience pain and faces the risk of serious complications. Doctors have recommended a laparotomy, which is a procedure that will open up the abdominal cavity, allowing the physicians to treat his condition. Our medical partner, Africa Mission Healthcare, is helping Lewis receive treatment. On November 5th, he will undergo a laparotomy to alleviate his symptoms, giving him the chance to regain his health and pursue the bright future he deserves. Now, Lewis's family needs help to fund this $653 procedure. Lewis's father shares, “My son is the youngest in our family and still so young. He has so many hopes and dreams for his future, but this illness is holding him back. I kindly ask for your support to help him get the treatment he needs so he can lead a normal life.” In Lewis's own words: “I have many plans for my life. I would like to go to college and build my future. I hope that you will hear my plea and support me.”

Saroeun is a 60-year-old farmer from Svay Rieng province. She has eight sons, one daughter, and fifteen grandchildren who keep her busy. She lives with her husband, who is a farmer, and her youngest son who is still studying in school. At home, she enjoys listening news on the radio. One year ago, Saroeun developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and light sensitivity. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Saroeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 2nd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery which will break up the cataract with ultrasound, irrigate the eye, and remove the cataract through suction. Then they will implant a new lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Saroeun said: "I hope I can see everything and recognize faces clearly after surgery. I would like to plant more crops and go outside."

Lekitony is a kind 13-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of nine children. He and his family are from a Maasai community in a remote village where people mainly practice livestock keeping to support themselves. He is very hardworking and helps his parents look after the cattle in search of pasture and water. Lekitony was diagnosed with right genu valgum, meaning his right leg is bowed inward, causing his knees to touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, often stemming from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking and experiences pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lekitony. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 15th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lekitony's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lekitony shares, “When I run, my knees knock and I fall. Also, most of the time my knees hurt.”

Tindibakira, who is in need of thyroid surgery, told us, “I pray for a successful surgery. Farming is major for our survival and I will resume it as soon as possible.” Tindibakira is a 68-year-old woman and a married mother of four children. She and her husband are small scale farmers and they own a four-room semi-permanent house. During her free time, Tindibakira enjoys being out in the fields farming. Over two years ago, Tindibakira began experiencing troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling and difficulty breathing. She was diagnosed with a multinodular goiter and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. If not treated, she will be at risk of airway obstruction. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $293 to fund Tindibakira's surgery. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 6th at AMH's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland so she can finally feel healthy again.

Nancy is a small-scale farmer from Kenya and currently 54 years old. She is a widow who was left with a 4-year old child almost twenty years ago. She used to work as a part-time untrained teacher until 2016. Her income, though little, enabled her to bring up her daughter who is now at the University. However, she shared that the loss of her husband has still haunted Nancy for all those years. In 2016 she noticed a small lump on her neck. Nancy began to experience troubling symptoms, including fatigue and sometimes headaches. Due to this she stopped teaching and started working in her small piece of land. She was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nancy receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 30th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $625, and she and her family need help raising money. “I have no one to turn to and would like to be strong for my daughter. I kindly request for help so that I can be strong again, and I can take care of her and also get my normal life again,” said Nancy.

Meet Josephine, a 15-year-old girl from Mbembani Village in Kenya. Josephine likes socializing and playing with her friends both at home and at school. Josephine is the 3rd born in a family of 6 children, 2 of her siblings (Musau Muasya & Maureen Mwikali) have physical impairments and have been previously supported by Watsi. Josephine was born partially blind and with additional congenital abnormalities. She is a class four student at Joy Town Special School in Thika. Besides being partially blind, Josephine walks by herself, she seems not to like people who pity her but those who play with her and encourage her. Her mother does household and farm work at their neighbor’s home. This job entails fetching water, washing clothes, as well as going to the shamba. Her husband fled home 3 years ago and has never returned leaving his family in a very difficult state. Treatment will be of great benefit to her as she will walk without straining. Her mother cannot afford to pay for surgery and hence requested for support. Her mother shared, "First, I wish to thank Watsi for the help they have rendered to my two children Musau and Maureen, God bless you so much for the support and I hope you will not get tired in helping my daughter Josephine as well. God bless you so much.”

Philemon is a farmer from Kenya. Philemon is a 22 year old father of one and himself is the first born child of a family of four. Being the first born child in a less fortunate family, Philemon’s roles were defined so fast that he dropped out of school so that his younger siblings could get a chance to proceed with their studies. He opted to do farming with his dad so that they can improve their humble background. Philemon is hardworking and energetic man who is depended by the family for its daily needs. Philemon was well until 9th August when he fell from a tree and sustained injury to his left leg and was diagnosed with an open proximal tibia fracture. Philemon was brought to our hospital and was received by our doctors. He underwent his first surgery to clean and close his wounds. He was then admitted to wait for ORIF surgery. He is unable to stand with his left leg. He can only walk with the able of a walker or being wheeled on a wheel chair. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 15th, Philemon underwent a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to walk normally after treatment. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Philemon says, “I need to walk again, I don’t have a sustainable job to feed my parents and siblings. I also want to make sure that they finish school and get proper education."

Kunthea is a 26-year-old mechanic from Cambodia. He enjoy listening to music in his free time. Kunthea has strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. It is difficult for him to see clearly and he experiences a loss in confidence. Kunthea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 3, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to align his eyes. Now, Kunthea needs help to raise $292 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I will be able to see and return to my work at the moto shop."

Maw is a 50-year-old homemaker from Burma. She lives with her husband, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughter and son in a village. In her free time, she like to clean the house and do some gardening. Since June, Maw's left eye is itchy, painful, and swollen. One day, she woke up and her left eyelid was droopy. Gradually, the vision became blurry in that eye. She also suffers from severe headaches in the left side of her head. The headaches are so bad that none of the medications seem to help, and she sleeps most of the day. Doctors want Maw to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Maw's CT scan and care, scheduled for August 19.

Joseph is a young man from Kenya. He was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Joseph has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Joseph will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on July 4. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care.

MbangirwaKibuka is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. He is married with five children. For 18 years, MbangirwaKibuka has had bilateral inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue death or damage. Fortunately, on July 16, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund MbangirwaKibuka's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Kibuka says, “I think my health will be restored because it has been longstanding and even I had lost hope but God does his way and now am looking forward to receiving support from SAFE and I continue with farming.”