Two weeks after his birth, Twahla’s mother noticed that he had not yet passed stool. From the nearest hospital, his mother was advised to use glycerine to lubricate his opening and aid in passing stool. However at six months, the glycerine was no longer effective. They were advised to try another treatment and at seven months, they were referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center BethanyKids Hospital where a biopsy was done. Doctors diagnosed Twahla with Hirschsprung's Disease. His doctors recommend a pull-through procedure to aid in passing stool normally. Twahla is the second born in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife while his father is a salesperson with a very limited income. The family lives in a two-room rental house in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. They had the national insurance health insurance coverage, but have exhausted their NHIF benefit kit and are not able to raise the additional funds needed. “Please help my son get through with this treatment,” shared Twahla’s mother.

Sidaneth is a 25-year-old receptionist from Cambodia. She has two sisters and brothers, and enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends. When she was young, Sidaneth had a serious ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her ear to perforate. For this reason, Sidaneth experiences hearing loss, discharge, tinnitus, and vertigo. She often feels dizzy and cannot hear others clearly. Sidaneth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. She previously received treatment for her other ear, but now needs follow up to complete the procedure on the other side. On January 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that surgery will clear up my ear infection and my hearing will improve," she shared.

Ayebazibwe is a farmer from Uganda. She is a married mother to one young child. Her husband is an accountant and his salary is the major source of income for their family. She earns a living through practicing small-scale farming and mostly grows beans and maize. She has a lot of family members dependent on her as many of her sisters are still in school. Six years ago, Ayebazibwe began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ayebazibwe receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Ayebazibwe says, “I hope to feel much better after my surgery.”

Pulong is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. Now, she stays with her daughter at her home where her favorite pastime is listening to the news on the radio. Two years ago, Pulong developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Pulong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that my grandmother will be able to see more clearly so she can recognize things again and be able to go outside on her own." -Pulong's Granddaughter

Yorn is a 70-year-old monk from Cambodia. He has four daughters, four sons, and four grandchildren. He lives in the pagoda, teaching a group of students who are training to become monks. Yorn has been a monk for more than ten years. He spends most of his time reading, writing, teaching, and meditating. Three years ago, Yorn developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and pain when he tries to read. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that after surgery I can see much better. I need to get back to my books, and my many ceremonies at the pagoda without others taking care of me," Yorn said.

Sichoeun is a 62-year-old housewife from Cambodia. Sichoeun lives with her husband who works as a construction worker. Together they had one son and daughter who unfortunately have passed away. In November 2019, Sichoeun was walking along the road when a motorbike hit her. The accident caused a fracture of her right humerus. First she went to a Khmer traditional healer but their attempts to heal her were unsuccessful. She experiences pain and is unable to use her right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 28th, Sichoeun will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. The procedure will stop her pain and allow her to use her right hand again. "I hope that the doctor will perform surgery successfully so that I can use my arm properly. Now I cannot work but if I get better I will be able to help my husband make money for us," Sichoeun said.

Lim is from Cambodia and sells Khmer donuts at the market for her family's livelihood. She has three daughters, one son, and one grandchild. Lim likes to listen to the news on the radio. Five months ago, Lim developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Lim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour and a half by tuk tuk seeking treatment. On April 1st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cararact surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that I can see clearly again, and go back to earning income for my family by selling donuts," Lim said.

Hnin is a mother of two from Burma. She lives with her husband and two sons, and she is always busy with housework. Since a few months after surgery to remove the cyst in her uterus in 2017, Hnin has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with Myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Hnin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Hnin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy and 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 experience pain or bleeding. Moreover, the surgery will stop the mass from reappearing later. Hnin said, “I want to continue to work purchasing clothes and other goods from Mae Sot and selling them in Yangon to earn an income for my family. Because of my condition, I am not able to work for two years now.”