Ignitius is a 12-year-old boy - the second in a family of four siblings in junior secondary school, grade seven. His elder sibling has just completed class eight; the rest are in primary school. He dropped out of school in grade four and went to look for a job as a house helper to support the family. Ignitius' father does any casual job available to bring food to the table for his family. Ignitius' mother is also a simple laborer. She works on other people's farms where she digs, weeds, and sometimes washes clothes for a small wage. They have a small piece of land where they have kept two goats and three chickens. They reside in a three-roomed timber house and have a small kitchen built of poles. It was late in the evening on November 16th. His mother sent him to the nearest open-air market to buy cabbage and potatoes. Unfortunately, he was hit by a speeding motorbike, which disappeared immediately after the accident. His parents were informed of the accident over the phone. They rushed him to a clinic, where they were referred to Maua Hospital. He arrived to the hospital with an open tibia fibular fracture and was in much pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ignitius receive treatment. On November 17, surgeons will perform surgery to restore his limb function. Now, Ignitius and his family need help to fund this $741 procedure. Ignitius' father says, "Please help my son; he is in deep pain. Kindly help us to fund the surgery costs."

Mar is a 56-year-old woman who lives with her family in a refugee camp located on the Thai-Burma border. They sell vegetables to earn income. During her free time, Mar enjoys reading religious books. Since late August, Mar has had an incisional hernia at the side of her previous caesarean section scar. The scar bulged from her abdomen, and was accompanied by significant pain and vomiting. This hernia causes pain and discomfort in her abdomen which worsens with physical activity. It hinders her ability to work to support her family. Fortunately, she will be able to 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 Mar's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 21 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Mar said, “I just want to return to a normal life, free from worries brought on by this condition. After surgery, I will be able to work more and contribute more money to my family's income. Thank you.”

Madeline is a 36-year-old mother of two from the Philippines. She proudly raises a son and a daughter while working as a dedicated hospital receptionist. Although her income only covers their essential needs, her hard work and determination shine as a testament to her unwavering commitment. In 2010, Madeline began to experience troubling symptoms, including a noticeable lump on her neck. Concerned about the cost of medical expenses, she postponed seeking medical consultation. Unfortunately, her condition gradually worsened over time. She now experiences persistent fatigue and shortness of breath, significantly affecting her ability to perform daily tasks. Increasingly concerned about her deteriorating condition, she finally sought medical attention. She underwent a thorough assessment and a series of laboratory tests. She was diagnosed with colloid adenomatous goiter, a thyroid condition characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP) is helping Madeline receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 12th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Madeline's procedure and care. Madeline expressed her gratitude towards Watsi donors and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines for sponsoring her operation. She shared, "I hope for the foundation to continue its long-standing service, helping more patients receive such assistance."

Ya is a 41-year-old woman from Burma. She currently lives with her father who is retired, her brother who is a student, and her son who works on the family rice farm with her. Their farming sustains their family, as they have no other source of income. They also forage for plants and vegetables from the forest. In her free time, Ya enjoys weaving traditional Karen (her ethnic community) bags. As a result of COVID-19 and the February 2021 coup, it is no longer feasible for Ya’s family to have traditional jobs. Her family faces extreme instability due to ongoing fighting in their area. Often, they must escape to nearby forests to avoid the conflict. They spend around a week at a time displaced in the forests. After the fighting has moved, they return to their village. Recently they had to sell their two cows to support themselves. In September 2020, Ya began experiencing back pain, and it was uncomfortable for her to walk and do regular activities because she cannot put pressure on her abdomen. She was diagnosed with myoma, or uterine fibroids. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Ya's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ya is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on July 10th with the help of our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), who is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Ya will no longer be in pain and will be able to walk without discomfort and work on the farm with her son. Ya said, “I want to get the surgery and recover quickly so I can go back to my family and help with the farm.” She is not sure what the future will hold as the fighting in her village is still happening, but she said, “I just want to be happy and stay with my family for the rest of my life.”

Maylin, who is 14 months old, lives with her parents and two older siblings in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father is a truck driver, while her mother is a farmer and a homemaker. Maylin was born with Down syndrome and a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Maylin will need surgery to correct her cardiac defect. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund Maylin's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on May 16th at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. This surgery will enable Maylin to lead a healthy and happy life. Maylin's mother said: "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping our daughter get better!"

Sngoeurn is a 37-year-old rice farmer from Kandal Province in Cambodia. His wife is a factory worker and they have two young sons. When Sngoeurn isn't working, he looks forward to taking his sons fishing. In 2015, Sngoeurn was in a motorcycle accident and fractured his left leg (tibia). He was sent to a private clinic where he underwent surgery and had hardware implanted in his leg to stabilize the fractured bone. Now that the bone has healed completely, Sngoeurn wants the metal hardware removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 25th, Sngoeurn will undergo a hardware removal procedure at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. This procedure, which will cost $304, will help ease the pain that Sngoeurn continues to feel in his leg. Now he needs your help to fund the procedure. Sngoeurn shared: "After surgery, I hope I will be healthy and won't have to worry about my leg again."

Rodah is a 62 year old farmer. She and her husband, who is disabled, have three children who are all married. Rodah plants vegetables for sale, and gets some foodstuff from her children, who live far from home. She also has dairy cows, whose milk is used for home consumption, as well as for earning money. During an altercation with a family member, Rodah suffered a fracture of the lower part of her humerus bone in her right arm. She went to a local hospital, where the fracture was confirmed by an X-ray. Her right arm was splinted, and put into a sling. The fracture is painful, and Rodah is unable to use her right hand. If the fracture isn't treated appropriately, her hand may not heal properly. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can help. On April 3rd, Rodah will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. After the surgery, Rodah will no longer be in pain, and she will regain the use of her hand. African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Rodah says: "My hand really hurts. I can't do anything now, and most things at home are paralyzed as I was the only one working. I am kindly asking for help so that I can get back to my usual way of living."

Puttra, who is 17 years old, lives in Kampong Speu, a province just outside of the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. His parents are pig and cow farmers, and he has three younger sisters. In his free time, Puttra plays soccer with his friends and feeds the cows near his house. In the future, Puttra would like to be a teacher of Cambodian studies. Puttra has nasal polyps in each nostril that result in discharge, poor sleep, and pain, including frequent headaches. He has been using medications that his mother regularly purchases at a pharmacy to manage these symptoms, but his condition has not improved. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is here to help. On March 8th, Puttra will undergo a bilateral polypectomy at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, which should permanently alleviate all of his unpleasant symptoms. Puttra and his family need your help to raise $388 to fund the surgery. Puttra hopes that after surgery, this problem will be gone, and he can focus on school.

Douby is a 17 year old student, living with his Godmother and her family in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Douby enjoys going to school, and aspires to attain a PhD in agronomy, and to become a professor. As a result of rheumatic fever that he suffered as a child, Douby has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. Two of his four heart valves were severely damaged by the rheumatic fever, and his heart cannot adequately pump blood through his body, leaving him sick and short of breath. The care Douby needs is not available in Haiti so he urgently will fly to the United States to receive treatment on February 28th at Baylor Scott & White Heart Hospital. He will undergo emergency cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair both damaged valves; if the valves cannot be repaired, they will be removed, and artificial valves will be implanted in their place. While another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000.00 to help pay for Douby's surgery, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs for the surgery prep and transport support, including lab tests; medicines, and follow up appointments. The money will alsosupport the passport and travel expenses for the social workers that will accompany Douby and his family to the U.S. Douby was able to share: "I am looking forward to being stronger and healthier once my heart can be repaired!"

Gilian is a 32-year-old businesswoman from Uganda. She is married with two children and is currently expecting her third. Gilian completed high school and was passionate about becoming a lawyer, but her academic journey was cut short following her father's death. She operates a small retail business, while her husband operates a bodaboda (motorcycle) business. Due to limited capital, Gilian shared that her business has suffered losses; thus, she is unable to raise the funds needed for her surgery. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children. Gilian is currently expecting her third child. Her doctors recommended that she deliver via a Cesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Gilian undergo a C-Section on February 7th. AMH is requesting $252 to fund this procedure. Gilian said: “I hope to have a successful delivery once given your support because the only worry I had was how I would be able to pay for my delivery."

Peris is a 67-year-old woman from Kenya. Peris is married and practices subsistence farming with her husband–a type of farming where the majority of crops or livestock raised are used to provide food for the farmer and their family. On May 4th, 2023, Peris was preparing to go to church when she was hit by her cow. She was rushed to a nearby hospital where she received an x-ray. The images revealed a left patella fracture that requires surgical attention. Now, Peris is unable to walk or use her leg due to the fracture and is in chronic pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 7th, Peris will undergo a fracture repair procedure called open reduction and internal fixation. During the surgery, AMH's surgeons will use a fixing device such as plates or screws to stabilize Peris's bone. After the procedure, Peris will be able to walk again. Now, AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. Peris says, “I was well and walking. However, my cow hit me and broke my knee. I need the surgery to walk."