Reach is a five-year-old pre-schooler who lives in Kampong Speu with his parents and older brother. His mother works in a hair salon, and his dad is a security guard. At home, Reach loves watching YouTube and playing with toy cars. In 2020, he accidentally pulled the boiling rice pot down and burned multiple areas on the left side of his body. He received initial treatment at a nearby pediatric hospital, including skin grafts and wound care. However, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around his burns, especially around his wrist and hand. The contractures make it difficult to hold objects and perform everyday tasks. When his family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function of his hand. Now, his family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. His mother shared, "I hope Reach can use his hand like before and feel good about himself like before the accident."

Justine is a nine-year-old happy and quiet boy from a family of five who likes playing outside with his friends. He enjoys attending school and learning in his classes. His father is a bike mechanic, and his mother farms to grow food for the family. Justine was born with clubfeet. His parents were able to afford to correct his left foot when he was young, but his right foot still needs treatment. If left untreated, Justine will not be able to wear shoes or walk without pain and discomfort. His family has been looking for a way to fund his treatment, and thankfully a family friend knew about a Watsi care center that could help Justine. He will need $890 to fund his procedure, scheduled for September 12. Justine looks forward to being well again and continuing towards his goal of becoming a teacher one day.

Cho is a 53-year-old Burmese woman. She lives with her husband in a small village and owns and operates a small snack shop. Her husband works as a construction laborer. In 2014, Cho began experiencing pain in her left pelvic area. One of Cho's neighbors told her about a local medical clinic, and she decided to seek treatment there. There, she was given pain medication and told to return if she continued to have symptoms. Cho's pain resumed in 2017, and she was then diagnosed with cancerous fibroids in her uterus. Thankfully, Cho was referred to a Watsi medical partner, and they will be sponsoring her treatment. Cho will need $1,500 to cover a hysterectomy procedure. After surgery, Cho is expected to live pain-free and continue working. She plans on giving back to the monks at a local monastery and would like to live a long happy life.

Dohn is a 21-month-old boy who lives in a village in Karen State, Burma with his family. Dohn’s grandparents work as subsistence farmers, his father works as car mechanic in Thailand, and his mother looks after the children. Following a persistent fever and vomiting, Dohn was admitted to the hospital last April. A CT scan revealed a fluid-filled mass in his brain and a possible tumor. Upon receiving the news that Dohn would need surgery, Dohn's father stopped working in order to look after Dohn at the hospital. The fluid around Dohn's brain was drained, but, due to an infection, no further procedure was done at that time. Dohn has now been transferred to our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, and is scheduled to receive a ventriculoperitoneal shunt on May 26 in order to drain any built-up fluid. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help fund Dohn's surgical care. With proper treatment, Dohn will be freed of potential cognitive complications and can hope to develop into a strong, healthy young boy.

Alleluya is a 19-month-old baby from Uganda. He is the youngest of ten siblings, all of whom are in school. His parents are both farmers. Alleluya developed a swelling when he was six months old, which continued to increase in size. After some time, it began causing him pain, and his mother took him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with a hernia in March. In April, the swelling increased and caused extreme pain. As quickly as she could, Alleluya's mother rushed him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an obstructed hernia. The doctors informed Alleluya's mother that he would need an emergency surgery. Alleluya's mother explained that they could not afford the operation by themselves, especially with so little notice. If untreated, Alleluya risks developing an intestinal obstruction with perforation. Alleluya's mother says, “My baby could not even sleep through the pain last night. He is very weak, and I cannot be at peace.” Watsi is requesting $249 to fund Alleluya's surgery and hospital stay. His surgery is scheduled for April 20.

Randy is a 29-year-old man who is married with a son. He likes to read magazines and watch TV in his free time. On December 14, 2016, Randy was in a motorcycle accident that caused a closed fracture in his left clavicle and complete paralysis in his left upper limb. He went to a hospital in Phnom Penh, but his symptoms did not improve. It is difficult for Randy to move his hand, and he is in pain. Fortunately, Randy visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On February 20, surgeons at CSC will perform a nerve and tendon repair procedure to allow Randy to move his hand easily again. He needs help to fund this $450 care.

One-year-old Xian loves to play with toy cars. He lives in a small wooden hut with his two older siblings and parents. They share electricity with their neighbors. His father, Guillermo, is a pedicab driver and a local safety enforcement officer. Xian has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens his growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, he will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 22. Xian will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Xian's mother says, "I'm positive that my son will recover from malnutrition soon."

Julia is a jovial ten-year-old girl who lives in rural Guatemala with her family. Her mother is a single parent and supports Julia and her three sisters by working in Guatemala's capital. Although her job provides a steady income, it forces her to live apart from her children. While Julia's mother is in the city, Julia and her sisters live with their grandparents. Julia is in third grade and does well in school. She likes to run and loves to play soccer, but she has been experiencing trouble breathing, which makes it difficult for her to participate in physical activity. Julia and her aunt recently traveled to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), complaining of a dry cough that makes it difficult for Julia to breathe. WK diagnosed Julia with asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition in which one's airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. Already, her asthma has provoked a chronic cough and makes Julia's chest hurt when she tries to run and play. WK is requesting $422 to fund Julia's medicine and the medical attention she needs to manage her asthma. She will begin receiving her mediation on April 10. The medication will allow her to run and play without coughing. She will be able to participate fully in games at school, run without fear of being unable to breathe, and live without the constant bother of a persistent cough. Julia's grandparents say, "We feel sad because she is sick and we would like to help her with everything, but we don't have money. We ask God to help us keep moving forward, and at the same time for you all to have compassion on us and help with our little girl's treatment."

Moeun is a 63-year-old farmer who is married with three sons and two daughters. He likes to herd his animals, plant vegetables, and listen to the news on the radio in his free time. After Moeun hit his right big toe on a stone, the wound grew infected. This led to his toe being amputated. However, the infection spread to another toe and then to his leg. It is difficult for Moeun to walk, and he is in pain. He went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. Recently, Moeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). He traveled for four hours with his wife to reach CSC for treatment. At CSC, he learned that he will need surgery. Surgeons will perform an ankle fusion procedure in his right leg to allow him to walk easily again. His procedure is scheduled for February 24. Moeun cannot afford this treatment, so CSC is requesting $450 on his behalf. After surgery, he will be able to walk more easily.

Since her birth two months ago, Melany has been growing too slowly. Her mother has been unable to produce sufficient breast milk to nourish Melany. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration, as well as provoke electrolyte imbalances that can cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time can also be compromised, putting Melany at risk of long-term damage. To stabilize her condition, Melany was given a preliminary supply of formula. This will last until the nutritionist at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, can create a nutritional plan and formally begin treatment. Melany lives with her parents and three siblings in rural Guatemala. Her father works driving cars and trucks, and her mother takes care of the home. Her parents do not have the financial resources to pay for the baby formula that Melany needs. Her family’s limited resources put treatment for Melany outside of economic reach. Watsi is asking for $1,107 to fund Melany's treatment, which will begin on January 30. Your donation will help supply Melany's mother with baby formula and health education, which will ensure Melany receives the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Melany’s mother will teach her the signs of malnutrition and other illnesses, as well as how to create a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Melany. Melany’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby. "We want Melany to become a nurse," say Melany's parents, "so that she can help others just as she is being helped."

Koeun is a 75-year-old farmer who is married and has one daughter. She likes to listen to the news on the radio and look after her grandchildren. In June of 2016, Koeun was in an accident that caused a fracture in her right forearm. She went to a local hospital for treatment, but her symptoms did not improve. It became difficult for Koeun to hold and carry objects, and she was in pain. Koeun traveled for three hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On January 4, surgeons at CSC performed an open reduction internal fixation procedure to allow Koeun to use her arm easily again. Now, she needs help to pay her $411 medical bill.

Meas is 19 years old and in the twelfth grade. He has three brothers and one sister. He likes to play football and badminton and listen to pop songs. In September, Meas sustained a laceration in his left wrist. He injured his flexor digitorum profundus, a muscle in the forearm that flexes the fingers. Meas is unable to use his hand, and he is in pain. When Meas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for five hours to seek treatment. On December 2, surgeons at CSC performed a tendon repair procedure on his left wrist. After recovery, he should be able to use his hand again. CSC is requesting $450 to fund his healthcare. "I hope to have a normal hand again without any pain," he says.