Matias is the second child of two farmers from a small village not far from La Paz. When he was first born, he was taken to the doctor due to low appetite and difficulty breastfeeding, and was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Matias needs to undergo surgery and our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance (ICA), is helping him to access treatment. Doctors will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so blood can no longer leak through it. His surgery is scheduled for February 22nd and ICA is helping to raise $1,500 to support his care. Matias' mother said: "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping our son to have this surgery to save his life!"

Than is a loving grandmother from Thailand who lives with her son and grandson. In her free time, she enjoys watching YouTube videos on her phone. Five years ago, Than began experiencing pain when frequently passing urine, accompanied by lower abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with kidney stones, which are hard deposits of minerals that form in the kidneys and are often very painful to pass. She has been advised to undergo surgery to remove her kidney stones. If left untreated, Than's symptoms will continue to worsen and will put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) is requesting $1,500 to fund Than's kidney stone removal surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 8th. Than shared, "I felt hopeless that I couldn't afford the operation, considering our prolonged lack of income. Now, I have had the chance to receive surgery with the help of BCMF. I am deeply grateful. My sincere wish is for the operation to go well, and I look forward to resuming my chores after the surgery."

Marife is a loving wife and mother from the Philippines. She previously worked as a janitor at Makati Medical Center but had to quit to give more time to her daughter, who has difficulty breathing with asthma. Marife occasionally does freelance work, but their family mostly depends on the income her husband makes as a janitor. Marife and her family reside in a Housing Relocation Site provided by the National Housing Authority. One year ago, Marife began to experience troubling symptoms, including vomiting and extreme abdominal pain. She described it as even worse pain than when she gave birth. For a year, she tried various medications and home remedies to help ease the pain, but to no avail. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marife was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, or gallstones. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Marife is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) on October 21st. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marife's surgery and care. Marife says, "This surgery will be a great help for me and my family as it will regain my confidence. I have been through depression since I first felt my symptoms. This illness sacrificed my supervision and parenting time with my daughter. I had come to the point of being hopeless but thanks to this hospital and the donors I will fight and continue my life. I hope they can help more people like me who need an operation. Thank you very much."

Lydiah is a single mother of an 8-year-old and 5-year-old. She used to work at an eatery but has not been able to go to work recently due to her medical condition. Lydia has had abdominal swelling and pain for the past six months. Three weeks ago, Lydiah's brother found her unwell and vomiting and took her to hospital. Lydiah's CT scan revealed a that 11.15cm heterogeneous cystic mass on her pancreas. Lydiah has been scheduled for a curative laparotomy on October 31 with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Because the mass is large enough to be affecting her adjacent organs, doctors may also need to perform a splenectomy and/or distal pancreatectomy to fully remove the cyst. Lydiah has been relying on her brother to support her treatment, but they are unable to afford the $1,704 needed for the proposed surgery. A naturally calm and stoic woman, Lydiah says, “I cannot work due to my condition. My children depend on me and are now forced to live with relatives. I am weak and dependent on other people. I need this treatment to be well again.”

Peter, a 27-year-old, earns a living as a sales representative specializing in selling computer accessories. His income primarily stems from commissions earned through this endeavor. However, his earnings have been insufficient to cover the costs of his required surgery. Currently residing with his parents, both engaged in casual labor – his father on construction sites and his mother in various manual occupations – Peter finds himself in a challenging financial situation. As the eldest among three siblings, he carries the responsibility of being the firstborn. Unfortunately, he has no medical insurance to alleviate the impending medical expenses. On August 5th, Peter was involved in an accident that caused a fracture on his left leg and left him immobile. He has a broken tibia bone that can only be treated through surgery. He has been scheduled for a fracture surgery, where the orthopedic doctors plan to insert a nail to help the bone heal without a deformity. Yet, he cannot raise the required amount for the procedure. Currently, he can get by with the help of crutches and occasional support from relatives. Thankfully, the skilled surgeons at our medical partner's facilities, African Mission Healthcare, are ready to assist. Scheduled for August 9th, Peter is set to undergo a fracture repair intervention known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This surgical process aims to restore his ability to walk comfortably and reduce the pain stemming from the fracture. He is currently reaching out for your assistance in raising the required $1,500 to cover the expenses associated with this intervention. Peter says, “A few days ago, I was well. Suddenly, I am unable to work because of the injury. I hope to go back to work once I get the surgery.”

Nan lives with her mother, father, sister, and brother. Nan and her sister run a food stall, and her brother is a teacher. Her parents are both subsistence farmers who raise pigs and sell them yearly. During her free time, Nan enjoys spending quality time with her family. At the age of six, Nan experienced a period of whole-body swelling, which thankfully subsided after a few days. Similarly, when she turned 14, she experienced rapid heartbeat and occasional difficulty breathing, but these symptoms alleviated over time. Without comprehensive examination or treatment for 15 years, her breathing difficulties and fatigue severely returned in January 2022. She then underwent an echo and was diagnosed with atrial septal disorder (ASD). The doctor scheduled to perform an ASD closure procedure on her heart on August 24th. Facing financial constraints, she sought treatment through Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), a partner organization of Watsi, with the hope of securing financial support to facilitate her access to essential treatment. Nan mentioned, “I feel sad that I am so tired and cannot work. I am also worried about my parents because I cannot support them right now. I was concerned with the cost of treatment but now, I am happy that I will receive help with my treatment. Thank you to the donors.”

Zin is a 17-year-old student who lives with her parents and older brother. She is in eighth grade but stopped her schooling six months ago due to her deteriorating health. Her father is a carpenter, and her mother is a homemaker. Her older brother works at a furniture factory. Zin enjoys dancing in her free time. In June 2022, Zin started to experience persistent coughing. She also occasionally felt tired, which worsened when she laid down. Due to this symptom, she had difficulty sleeping at night. She received medications at a clinic, but they only helped her temporarily. In April 2023, both of Zin's legs became swollen, so they sought medical care. The cardiologist performed an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest X-ray, and diagnosed Zin with mitral valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to rheumatic heart disease. This means that the valves of her heart are not properly closing. On July 21st, doctors with our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) will perform heart surgery on Zin, replacing her mitral and tricuspid valves. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure. Her father shared, “I am thankful I got in contact with you. It is a blessing to receive help from you. I wish you the best. I am also happy for my daughter because she is so lucky to receive such support. It is impossible for us to pay for her treatment without your help.”

Gerry is a 48-year-old man from the Philippines. He is a dedicated husband and father who works hard as an on-call driver to support his family. For more than 20 years, Gerry has experienced mild abdominal pain. He visited a hospital for medical attention and was supposed to receive surgical treatment. However, due to the hospital's limited capacity and high influx of emergency cases, Gerry's surgery was deferred. As time passed, Gerry's symptoms worsened and he experienced intense pain more frequently. It became increasingly difficult for him to carry out his daily activities, work, and provide for his family. Now, Gerry is once again seeking medical attention. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), can help. Gerry visited WSFP's care center where he had another medical checkup. Doctors advised that Gerry undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. Now, Gerry is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on June 24th. Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is covering a portion of the cost of the procedure, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Gerry's surgery and care. Gerry shared, "This free surgery is truly beneficial to us because we are really struggling financially. We have no money to spend for my needed treatment, so I'm so grateful to WATSI and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines!"

Linn is a 29-year-old day laborer from Thailand. He works at a construction site and during his free time, he enjoys playing volleyball with his friends. Two months ago, Linn accidentally poked his left eye with a needle while he was sewing a bag. Since the accident, the vision in his left eye has been blurry. He visited our medical partner's care center where he was diagnosed with a cataract in his left eye. Eyedrops and medications have not improved his vision. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Linn receive treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Linn's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help raising $1,500 to fund his procedure and care. Linn shared, "I was worried about my vision becoming blurrier. I want to thank you [BCMF and donors]. After I get treated, I will work hard and try to donate some money back to BCMF."

Marissa, who is 48 years old, is a hardworking vegetable vendor from the Philippines. In 2022, Marissa began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating abdominal pain, which have made it difficult for her to continue with her daily activities. After several months of enduring the pain, Marissa finally consulted a doctor, who diagnosed her with chronic calculous cholecystitis- an inflamed gallbladder complicated by gallstones- which needs to be treated surgically. Unfortunately, even with financial help from her sons, Marissa could not afford the cost of the surgery. As a result, she deferred her treatment, hoping that her condition would improve over time. However, the pain has persisted, making it increasingly difficult for her to continue working and providing for her family. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marissa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 18th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, but Marissa and her family still need help raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marissa's surgery and care, which will prevent her condition from deteriorating. Marissa shared: "We are incredibly grateful to World Surgical Foundation Philippines and WATSI for the support they are providing. Without their help, I may have continued to suffer in silence."