Chansok is a 25-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has been married for six years and has one son. Chansok likes to listen to music. Five months ago, he was in a motor accident that caused paralysis of his shoulder, elbow, and wrist. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his 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. He is unable to lift his arm, and has no flexion of his wrist or fingers. Chansok can't go to work. Chansok traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 25th, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his wrist and fingers again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. "I hope that I can use my arms again and go to work to support my family. Now, my wife must work to support us and it is difficult for me to not work. When I get better I will return to working so I can support my family," he said.

Aung is a 15-year-old novice monk from Hpa-An. He lives with other monks in the monastery. His parents own a piece of land where his father and oldest brother grow vegetables and fruits for sale. The family also grows vegetables for their own consumption. He was born with encephalocele and it was the size of a fingerprint. It grew bigger over the years and was the same size for the last three years before receiving surgery in 2015. He also suffers from hydrocephalus and he received ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VP) in 2016. Two months ago, Aung developed headaches and his head has grown bigger on the right side. At that time, his father bought medicine from the pharmacy to reduce his headaches. He took it for two days, but he did not feel better. Later on, his father took him to Hpa-An hospital where he received a blood test and x-ray. The doctor suggested his father to take him to Yangon but his father returned to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Mae Sot instead of going to Yangon. On February 25th, he arrived at MTC and he was referred to Watsi Medical Partner's Care Center Mae Sot Hospital to be seen the next day. At MSH, the doctor recommended a CT scan, which Watsi donors have also generously supported, and with these results Aung's father was told that doctors need to replace Aung's VP shunt as the previous shunt from 2016 is blocked. Aung’s father said, “I am very worried for him as he is my son and I hope that he will be healthy as soon as possible. In the future, I want him to be a monk for the rest of his life. Because I know my other older sons will not take good care of him as he is not a healthy boy. If he stays at the temple, he can be able to sleep and eat regularly."

Colar is a 53-year-old woman who lives with her husband in Karen State in Burma. She has two sons who are students across the border in Mae Sot, Thailand. Both Colar and her husband are subsistence farmers but are no longer able to work on the farm due to their poor health. Their limited income comes from breeding and selling pigs and goats. In June 2018, Colar began to suffer from significant lower abdominal and back pain, constipation, headaches, frequent urination, blood in her urine and nausea. Her neighbor advised her to treat the pain with traditional medicine, initially believing this was caused by the fruit she was eating in the forest. However, after a week of severe pain, Colar lost consciousness and her neighbor called her brother who works as a medic at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). Her brother advised them to bring Colar to MTC for treatment. At MTC, Colar underwent a blood test, urine test and ultrasound afterwards, the doctor at MTC diagnosed her with a renal stone in her left kidney and advised her she would need surgery. Colar still suffers from constant pain and discomfort, she is very worried about the upcoming surgery, her health, and how she is going to support her husband and two sons who are still students. Colar said the constant worry for her health and her husband's is causing them significant anxiety and depression. When she feels well enough, she likes to forage in the forest for fruits and vegetables and tend to her garden. When Colar recovers from surgery and her health improves, she hopes to grow enough fruit and vegetables to feed her family and to sell.

Nafthali is a laborer from Kenya. He has four sons. Nafthali was injured in early April. He sustained fractures in both legs, and he is not able to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 18, Nafthali will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. He says, "I am humbly requesting for assistance to cover my surgeries so that I can be able to provide for my children.”

Channy is a girl from Cambodia. She enjoys reading books and listening to music in her free time and her favorite subject in school is Khmer literature. She would like to become a teacher when she grows up. Since 2015, Channy has developed a deformity in her spine, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Channy is scheduled to undergo spinal surgery on March 11. Our medical partnerr needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery is over, I can go for walks in the village again with my family and also be able to take care of myself."

Samuel is a man from Kenya. He lives with his grandson. Samuel does not have clear hearing, and his hearing has been deteriorating for the past four years. He was seen by an audiologist and had hearing aids recommended. Fortunately, he is now scheduled for receive them on February 5. Now he needs help raising $929. Samuel says, “My prayer is to get the hearing aids. I rely on gestures to communicate even in church and it bothers me a lot."

Ronald is a farmer from Kenya. He is a husband and father of three who is working as a motorcycle driver to support his young family. Recently, Ronald was involved in a road traffic accident. His injuries were severe, and he lost consciousness. He suffered a hip fracture and is now not able to walk or work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 24, Ronald will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This condition causes him pain and discomfort, and this is making it difficult for him to work. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to fund this procedure. “At first I thought I was going to lose my leg. I really thought about my young family. Thanks to the doctor for giving me hope. I am ready to undergo this surgery," says Ronald.

Phat is a vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has one daughter, five sons, and ten grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. A month ago, Phat developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, itchiness, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Phat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 7, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. Her husband says, "I hope my wife's eye surgery is successful so that she can see clearly and return to work."

Linn is an 11-month-old baby boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents and two uncles in Mae Sot, Tak Province. His family moved from Karen State, Burma to Thailand just a month ago for better job opportunities. Linn has been diagnosed with a scrotal hernia. Fortunately, on September 26, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Mae Sot General Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Linn's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 26 and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. His father says, "My plan for him is to keep him in school when he recovers. Then, I want him to either become a doctor, a teacher, or a boxer.”

Nar is a four-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, grandparents, and two aunts in Mawlamyine City in Mon State. Just before she turned two, her mother noticed a small lump on her neck. The mass became larger as she grew. Her mother took her to several hospitals for possible treatment. At our medical partner's care center, her doctor recommended a surgery to remove the benign tumor. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on August 27. Her family is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care.

Saw is a 28-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, daughter, and two nephews. He used to work as a chef in Thailand, but three months ago, he moved back to his village in Burma. His wife works around the home, caring for their daughter and their nephews. Two months ago, Saw climbed a palm tree to collect coconuts. When he reached the top, he suddenly fainted and fell down, breaking his left femur and arm. Since the accident, he has not been able to work. In April 2018, he underwent internal fixation for his broken femur at Mae Sot Hospital. He felt a lot better after surgery, but in late June 2018, he accidentally fell from his bed and broke his left femur again. A few days after the accident, Saw started to experience pain in his left leg. Now, he cannot walk anymore. Saw says, "I am afraid to move because of the pain and I also have pain in my left arm when I try to walk and use crutches." He needs to undergo further treatment, including a removal of the hardware installed during his first surgery and then another internal fixation surgery to heal the fracture. Fortunately, after visiting our medical partner's care center, he was scheduled for surgery on July 17. Now, he needs help raising $1,500 to fund surgery.

Kaarie is a 14-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the second born in a family of seven children. Her father is a farmer, while her mother looks after the children. Two years ago, she fell and injured her right hip. This has caused pain and affected her ability to walk. Unfortunately, she was forced to stop attending school. Now, Kaarie is scheduled to undergo an osteotomy to heal her hip and help her walk. Surgery is scheduled for June 5 and will cost $1,231. She says, “I will be grateful if this condition is corrected and I resume my studies."