Hen is a 71-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio at home when she has free time. Two years ago, Hen developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 27th, 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 $425 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can help look after my grandchildren and I can visit the pagoda."

Philaris is a farmer from Uganda. She is a wife and mother of three. Phalaris performs different kinds of jobs across her village, such as laundry and working in other people’s farms, to meet her family’s daily needs. On July 18th, Philaris sustained a severe injury to her right leg when she fell from a tree while she was fetching firewood. She is in pain and cannot walk on her own. She has been diagnosed with a right tibia fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 22nd, Philaris will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again and no longer be in pain Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Philaris says, “I want to get treated because I don’t want these circumstances to determine my future and that of my family. I want to see my children happy and get their daily needs.”

Gilbert is a calm and polite boy. He is the second born in a family of four children and hails from Dagoretti in Nairobi county. He is in 3rd grade at a primary school in Nairobi and aspires to be a pilot. Gilbert was brought to our hospital by his mother because he was experiencing pain and could not walk long distances. He has had this condition since he was three years old and it has significantly impacted his ability to go to school. Gilbert's mother shared that, “I sometimes carry him to school as his knees knock against each other which hinders his movement. But when I have money, I will pay for a motorbike to take him and his brother to school.” His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may be given. Gibert's father is a street pastor and works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Gilbert was able to already have his right leg treated which is now healed. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Gilbert will be able to walk comfortably and continue with his studies.

Ree is a 44-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons, and his daughter in Mae Ra Ma Laung Refugee Camp in Thailand. Ree and his family used to live in a village in Hpa-pun Township in Karen State, Burma. However, due to conflict between armed groups in his area, they fled to the refugee camp in 2006. Every month Ree’s family receives 1,244 baht (approx. 42 USD) from The Border Consortium (TBC), an organization that provides support to refugees in camps. He also works as a caregiver for the elderly in the camp, for the organization Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees. He earns 1,100 baht (approx. 37 USD) each month for this. All of his children go to school in the camp while his wife works as a cook at one of the schools. On March 14, 2020, Ree slipped and fell on his right forearm while he was carrying a heavy load. When he got up, he was not able to move his right hand and he thought he had broken his forearm. Ree did not seek help at the camp’s medical centre and instead wrapped traditional herbal medicine onto his right forearm. As time passed, Ree could still not use his right arm and the pain in his arm did not go away. Eventually, on May 10th, he went to the camp’s hospital, run by Malteser International Thailand (MI). At the hospital, he was diagnosed with a fractured right forearm that had not healed properly. He was referred to the local Mae Sariang Hospital and received an x-ray on May 12th. The result indicated that he had fractured one of the two bones in his forearm. The doctor at the hospital then referred Ree to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further management and treatment. The following day, MI staff brought Ree to CMH. Once he met with the doctor, the doctor told him that he will need to receive surgery for his arm to heal properly. Currently, Ree is still in pain and his right arm is sore and not in use. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ree will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 21st and will cost $1,500. His arm will no longer be in pain and he hopes he will be able to go back to his old job helping the elderly in the refugee camp. While smiling he said, “I have been struggling to do tasks for the past month without using my right hand which is hard as I am right handed. I cannot wait to use my right arm again!”

Rachel is a very social and talkative six-year-old from Tanzania. She has not had the chance to join school yet but her grandmother plans to enroll her next year. She is the first born child to her mother who had two children and is currently being raised by her grandmother for the past few years. Her grandmother had to take Rachel and raise her since their mother would spend her money on alcohol and would leave both children at home for hours without food or anyone to look after them. Rachel was diagnosed with genu varus. bilateral bowing of the femur. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Rachel has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Rachel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 14th. Treatment will hopefully restore Rachel's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Rachel’s grandmother says, “Please help treat her, her mother has abandoned her and I can’t afford the treatment cost."

Dymitry is a 13-year-old student from Haiti. Dymitry lives in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince with his mother and grandparents. He is in the sixth grade and especially likes engineering and math. Dymitry has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Fortunately, Dymitry will be able to fly to Canada to receive treatment. On April 2nd, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage from his valve. Another organization, The Herbie Fund, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Dymitry's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and transport. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Dymitry's family overseas. Dymitry told us, "I am looking forward to learning how to play soccer after my surgery!"

Bravel Paul is an 8-year-old student from Kenya. He likes playing football and watching cartoons. His family hails from Kajiado County. He is a class 1 pupil and likes reading books and other hobbies. His father is a caretaker for some houses, while his mother is a housewife. The family lives in a one-roomed rental house in Kitengela. Bravel has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Bravel traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Bravel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. "I would like to see my son walking comfortably and therefore any assistance accorded to us will be highly appreciated," Bravel’s father told us.

Dina is a 69-year-old mother of seven from Kenya. She plants maize and beans on her farm left by her late husband. She lost her husband in the year 2014 after suffering from stomach cancer. Despite all the challenges she faced, Dina has been a strong woman for her children. She has worked hard to educate her children and provide basic needs for them through farming. The family stays together in a grass-roofed house. Dina came to our hospital recently with a severe fracture on her right femur. X-ray imaging confirmed a closed femur fracture. Dina, who is unable to walk and has severe pain, was admitted for skin traction and requires an ORIF surgery with a plate to heal her broken femur. Dina is unable to attend to her daily duties because of her broken leg. She is worried about being dependent on her children who also need her. She is requesting anybody reading her story to support her raise funds for her surgery of $968.00. On January 22nd, Dina will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will allow Dina walk with ease and reduce chances of further complications. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Dina says, “I want to get back on my feet and resume my normal duties farming so that I can be able to raise school fees for my son who is in college.”

About six months ago, Thidar started to feel very tired and could not sleep well due to difficulty breathing. After multiple tests and blood tranfusions, Thidar was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis, mitral valve regurgitation, aortic valve stenosis, and aortic valve regurgitation. Seeing that both of her heart valves need to be replaced surgically, the doctor told her, “You have a heart problem and you must undergo surgery as soon as possible.” When Thidar told him that she cannot afford to pay for surgery, the doctor told her about a monk who lives just outside of Yangon and who might be able to help her. She was given his phone number and when she called the monk, he referred her to Watsi partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for assistance in accessing the treatment she needs. Currently, Thidar feels very tired and has no energy to walk long distances. She cannot sleep well, and she has no appetite. She said, “In the future, I will stay in my village and look out for my family. I would like to send my children to school until they graduate.”

Mai is a 23-year-old woman from Burma. Lway lives with her parents and two sisters in Northern Shan State. Since she was three years old, Mai has suffered from an enlarged thyroid but her parents were able afford to take her to a clinic only when Mai was in grade seven. By then, the lump on Mai's throat has become noticeable. At the clinic, the doctor examined her neck and prescribed her medication. After a month, although Mai felt like her neck was still in the same size as before, the doctor told her that her goiter had been cured. Three years later, Mai's neck started to grow bigger. Having no money in hand, her parents did not take her any clinics although there was a tightness in her throat and it was uncomfortable for Mai to move her neck to the side. In 2018, Mai was selected to attend a training in Mae Sot. After her training, she was put in for an internship at Mae Tao Clinc (MTC). Through an advice from one of her trainers, Mai went to Mae Sot Hospital, where the doctor examined her and prescribe her medications. After three months of taking the medications, the doctor finally told her that she needed a surgery. Mai looks forward to receiving surgery soon. She plans to go back to her native town and work as an assistant health worker, after she has completed her treatment. Mai said, “When I told my parents that BCMF would provide support for my surgery, they’re very happy. They have been worried for me for a long time already. I would like to say a big thank you to BCMF for supporting my surgery. I’m very excited to be freed from this condition. I have suffered from this goiter for a long time!”

Grace is a stay at home mother from Kenya. The mother of six children lives with her husband who suffers dementia and she has to be there to take care of him. Their children are all grown. Grace and her husband depend on their son who repairs radios in the neighborhood and has a steady income. Grace has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Grace. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 23rd. After treatment, Grace will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. “Please help me get treated before it sends me to an early grave,” says Grace.

Gedeon is a student from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and two older sisters. He is in high school and would like to study to become a doctor. Gedeon has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart was severely damaged as a result of an infection suffered in childhood; as a result, his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body. Gedeon will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will replace his damaged valve with an artificial implant. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $40,000 to pay for surgery. Gedeon's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Gedeon's family overseas. Gedeon said, "I am excited to be able to visit a new country and to get my heart back to normal."