Zuriel is a friendly three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He loves to play with his friends in the neighborhood! His mother is a full-time mom, and his father works as a tricycle driver. Two years ago, Zuriel's mother noticed a mass on his groin. She brought him to the nearest hospital to get it checked, and it was diagnosed as an inguinal hernia. This hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Zuriel's parents share that his father earns just enough to support their day-to-day needs, so they are unable to fund their son's needed surgery to heal his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Zuriel receive treatment. He will undergo hernia repair surgery on July 23rd at WSFP's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Zuriel's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. WSFP is raising the remaining $845 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Zuriel's mother shares, "It's hard to find help for my son's treatment. Fortunately, we were able to reach out to the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. This free surgery will be a big help to our family. Thank you so much to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. God bless you."

Lhory, a 30-year-old woman from the Philippines, experienced severe right-side abdominal pain starting in January. She went to the closest hospital and was advised to undergo a whole abdominal ultrasound. The test showed that she has gallstones that need to be surgically removed. With her husband’s limited income as an Air Conditioner Technician, they’re unable to cover the cost of her treatment. Fortunately, she was able to reach out to our medical partner, the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. Lhory is now scheduled on May 3rd to undergo surgery to treat her condition. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,253 to cover the total cost of Lhory’s procedure and care. After her recovery, Lhory will no longer experience severe abdominal pain or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. “My current condition hinders me from doing my usual day-to-day chores. My condition makes it hard for me to bend, sit or lift objects," Lhory shared. "We don’t have the capacity to finance my surgery. So, I’d like to thank the World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi for helping me. I hope that after this surgery, I can fully take care of my family again,” says Lhory.

Allan is an adorable two-year-old boy from the Philippines. Allan loves to sing nursery rhymes and listen to music. Allan's father works as a welder in Saudi Arabia, while his mother stays at home to look after their children. Allan’s father's income is only enough to support their basic needs, the family works hard to shoulder Allan’s medical treatment. Allan was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. Allan needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Allan is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 4th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Allan's family raise $1,279 to cover the total cost of Allan's procedure and care. After his recovery, Allan will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Allan's mother shared, “This surgery is important for us. Through this, Allan will have a chance to grow as a normal kid - no more discomforts and pain. This will also ease our financial burden to buy his colostomy supplies. WSFP and WATSI will be of really great help to us, and so we’re grateful to them!”

Rose is an adorable preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a small town on the northern coast of Haiti. Rose likes helping her family take care of their pets and chickens. Rose has born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect which means a hole exists between the two lower chambers of Rose's heart. This condition often leaves Rose feeling sick and short of breath. Because the surgery she needs in not available in Haiti, Rose must fly to Dominican Republic to receive the necessary treatment. On March 3rd, Rose will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will a patch the hole in her heart. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Rose's family raise $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medication, and follow-up appointments. This will also support her family to obtain passports and the HCA social workers who will accompany Rose's family during their travel. Rose's father shared, "We are very hopeful that our daughter will be healthy and strong after this surgery!"

Dickson is a sweet five-year-old and the second born in a family of three children. Dickson’s father works finding jobs on construction sites for a living while the mother sells vegetables and fruits to be able to support their family. One of their relatives told Dickson’s parents to try seeking treatment for him with our medical partner's care center in Arusha. Dickson was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, where his knees bow so that they always touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty and pain walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Dickson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Dickson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Dickson’s mother shared: “We have tried to seek treatment for our son but eventually we could no longer continue due to financial challenges."

Nheanh is a widow with a big family of three sons, four daughters, and many grandchildren. Her husband passed away a long time ago and she lives with her oldest daughter who sells food in the local market. She helps take care of her grandchildren, cooks for them, and helps her daughter with housework. When not taking care of her family, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Nearly three years ago, Nheanh developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. 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 Nheanh learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On January 17th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I am hopeful that after surgery my eye can see well. It will be easy for me to go out, and I can help my daughter to take care of my grandchildren," shared Nheanh.

Nyo is a 58-year-old woman. She and her husband are agricultural day laborers, but Nyo had to stop working two years ago due to poor vision. Since COVID-19 led to lockdowns in April 2020, her husband only receives work from his employer when there is a worker shortage so their income has been very limited. Nyo shared that she likes to meditate with prayer beads and listen to the news about her homeland Myanmar and music on the radio. Nyo is experiencing a cataract in her right eye. She can only see shadows, and the vision in her right eye is worsening. As a result, she cannot do household chores, and her husband has to help her to eat and guide her to the bathroom. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Nyo receive treatment. On January 4th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Nyo’s natural lens and replace it with an intraocular lens implant. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund Nyo’s procedure. Nyo shared, “If I can’t work or I can’t see, I will have to beg to eat because my husband cannot work. My husband and I were so happy to learn that an organization will help pay for the cost of my treatment. We are thankful to the donors and BCMF.” Nyo added, “When I have money, I want to open a small dry foods shop in my house. This way, when my husband and I are no longer able to continue to work as day laborers because of our age, we can chose a way to earn extra money while staying at home.”

Julie is a 26-year-old who hails from Kawaida village in rural Kenya.. She was married at an early age and has two children aged 12 and 4 years old. Julie sells old clothes near their house while her husband is a motorbike (bodaboda) driver. Julie was brought to the hospital by her mother-in-law, who cooks porridge for a local nursery school, earning limited income herself. Julie's family also relies on her (the mother-in-law) throughout the year for support. Julie was well until September 9th when she slipped and fell. She landed on her right leg leading to fracture-dislocation of the right ankle joint. She was taken to the County Hospital for treatment, but Julie still has difficulty walking and is in pain. After six weeks when her cast was removed, it was noted that the bones had not united and an ORIF surgery was recommended, but they could not afford it. Since then, Julie has just stayed at home until our partner's Community Health Worker identified her and asked them to come and seek support at Nazareth Hospital. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 25th, Julie will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve her of the pain, help her walk easily again, and restore her leg's functionality. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Julie's mother-in-law says, “It is becoming very difficult for us because I have to do most of the work for my daughter-in-law. I was very happy when the Community Health Worker asked me to bring her here for possible support. I hope she will get sponsorship so that she can be well and be able to continue with her job, at least to contribute to taking care of her family."