Don is a 4-year-old from Uganda and the oldest child in his family. His parents currently live in Kampala, Uganda's capital city. However, since the cost of living and schooling is much more expensive there, his parents took him back to their village, where he currently lives with his grandparents. His grandfather works as a builder, and his grandmother works as a small-scale farmer. Don is currently in nursery school, and his favorite activity is tending to the cows with his grandfather. About a year ago, Don developed a hydrocele, which is swelling in a sensitive area. As a result, Don experiences pain and difficulty walking. Don's family took him to a hospital for treatment, but when the surgery cost was too high, they visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for further review. The doctors at AMH recommend surgery to treat his condition. Fortunately, Don will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at AMH's care center on August 16th. Once completed, this procedure will help him live more comfortably and confidently. AMH is requesting $146 to fund Don's surgery. Don's grandfather shares, “I hope that he will get well and will live a healthy life with no pain.”

Myo Htay is a 22-year-old who lives with his parents and younger brother in the border region of Burma. His parents work as day laborers at a gold mine, carrying dirt and debris. Myo used to work with his parents but stopped last November when his health deteriorated. Because the gold mine closes during the rainy season, his parents only have work for six months out of the year. The rest of the time they try to live off of their savings. Around six months ago, Myo started to feel tired when he worked. At first he thought he was tired from working too hard. When he continued to feel tired for over a month, he thought that he needed to see a doctor. However, because of their limited funds, he did not want his parents to spend what they had on a trip to a clinic or a hospital. Around the middle of April, his condition worsened. He had difficulty breathing, experienced chest pain, and also heart palpitations. His parents brought him to a nearby hospital where he was diagnosed with a heart disease. The doctor told them to bring him to Yangon for further treatment. After Myo's parents borrowed money, they went to Yangon and took him to two different hospitals. At the last hospital, Myo was admitted for five days as he was unwell at that time. He received a follow-up appointment for two weeks later, but was brought back on April 30th when he developed rapid breathing, heart palpitations, chest pain and oedema (swelling) in both his legs. Myo was readmitted to the hospital, and the doctor told Myo's parents that his surgery would cost 20,000,000 kyat (approx. $11,000 USD). When they told the doctor that they cannot afford to pay for his surgery, a nurse gave them the phone number of an abbot in Yangon. After they called the abbot and told him what the doctor had said, the abbot referred Myo to our medical parter Burma Children Medical Fund for the assistance accessing the cardiac treatment he needs. Currently, Myo is on oxygen. If he does not receive oxygen, he has difficulty breathing as well as heart palpitations. He cannot walk for more than three minutes and if he does, he feels extremely tired. His whole family is worried about his condition. Fortunately, Myo's surgery has been scheduled for May 8th. He will have both valves of his heart replaced. His family needs $1,500 to help with the total cost of his surgery and care. Myo’s mother said, “I would give up everything to save my son’s life. I would sleep on the ground if we had no home to live in. I only wish to see my son getting better.”

Roeuk is a 34-year-old farmer who is married and has two daughters. His 10-year-old daughter is in the fifth grade and his younger daughter is five years old. Roeuk's wife is also a farmer. Last month, Roeuk fell from the 3rd story and fractured his right humerus, left tibia, and left mandibular. After the accident he received treatment for the humerus fracture at another hospital. He arrived at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) with pain from the left mandibular fracture. It is difficult for him to drink and eat food. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 6th, Roeuk will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This will heal his fracture and relieve his pain. Roeuk is hopeful that after surgery he will be out of pain and be able to eat and drink more easily again so he can get healthy.

Angelica is a hard-working young mom with a three-year-old son. She and her partner work in construction, earning just enough to support their daily needs. Angelica was diagnosed with external hemorrhoids. Because of her financial situation, even though she experiences pain, she is not able to get the medical care she needs to heal. Fortunately, Angelica is scheduled to undergo surgery to treat her condition on March 5th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,163 to cover the total cost of Angelica's procedure and care. After her recovery, Angelica will no longer experience severe pain and other complications in the future. "I want to be able to take care of my child without worrying about my condition," Angelica explained. "I am fortunate to have been referred for surgery with World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi; without them, I'm not sure where we would be able to get help for my treatment."

Chorn is a hardworking man from Takeo province in Cambodia. He has three daughters and ten grandchildren. He lives with his wife who is a farmer. In his free time, Chorn likes to play with his grandchildren and listen to the radio. Chorn had an unfortunate electric burn on his right arm and chest last month. After the burn, his family took him to a local clinic for medication, but his wound has become infected. The skin on his right arm and chest has necrosed. Chorn has a loss of sensation on the fifth finger, the muscle has wasted away and he is in a lot of pain. He and his wife travelled two and a half hours to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for a diagnosis and treatment. Fortunately, surgeons plan to do a debridement and exploration of the ulnar nerve on the right arm to help him. Chorn needs $541 to cover the surgery, inpatient care and medication. After surgery, Chorn hopes his right arm will function and his wound heal soon. He shared how important it is for him to use his hand again to be able to work and feed his family.

Joseph is a two-month-old baby and the only child in his family. His mother used to work in a salon but stopped shortly before she gave birth to Joseph, while his father is a cook in a local hotel. The family shared that they do not have national health insurance and need assistance with the cost of their son’s surgery. Joseph has had a right inguinal hernia since birth. His mother noticed some swelling within the first week of his birth and took him to the hospital. Doctors determined the swelling was normal and would reduce over time; however, when there was no change so Joseph’s mother brought him back to the hospital. Upon further review, the doctors diagnosed the condition as a hernia and referred Joseph to the care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), for treatment. On January 5th, Joseph will undergo repair surgery at AMH’s care center. Upon recovery, he will be able to live more comfortably and grow up healthy. AMH is requesting $585 to fund Joseph’s surgery. Joseph’s mother shared, “Whenever my child cries of pain, I’m never at peace with myself, but I know that all will be well.”

Kyle is a beautiful one-year-old girl. She's the last born in a family of two children and her older sibling is in third grade. Her mother is a single mom who is raising her kids on her own. She earns a living trading second-hand clothes in their neighborhood. Kyle's mom shared that they are signed up for a national health insurance program, but haven't been able to make the monthly premium payments so the insurance is not able to cover expenses like surgery. Kyle has beendiagnosed with a rectovestibular fistula and had a colostomy performed at Kenyatta National Hospital last year. She has now come to our medical partner's care center for the follow-up surgery that she needs for her birth condition. She has needed this surgery for a while but the waiting list has been long at the other hospital and their family could not afford the cost of surgery. Kyle’s mother says, “My young girl deserves to grow up like other kids. She needs this treatment.”