Sok is a retired rice farmer with one daughter and four grandchildren. Sok shared that her husband passed away many years ago, and now she lives with one of her daughters, who is a fruit seller. In her free time, Sok likes to listen to monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Sok developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her tearing and blurry vision. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sok learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On April 19th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Sok says, "After surgery, I am hoping I can see better so I can join ceremonies at the pagoda by myself again."

Merida is a 63-year-old small-scale farmer. She has five children ranging in age from 20 years old to 40 years old. Her husband passed away about six years ago. She shared that her children could not attend school beyond class five and that their responsibilities limit them from providing financial support. About ten years ago, Merida experienced swelling in her neck that increased in size over time. Merida is unable to bend down comfortably and experiences airway blockage when she carries heavy loads and has heaviness in her shoulders. She can also no longer breathe well while sleeping. She has used herbs for healing and recently visited the hospital at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). The doctors diagnosed her condition as a goiter, which is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. They recommended a thyroidectomy, which will address her symptoms and prevent the risk that the condition may become cancerous and cause difficulty breathing and eating over time. On November 9th, Merida will undergo a thyroidectomy at AMH’s care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $333 to fund Merida’s surgery. Merida shared, “I pray that I may be considered for treatment so that I may get relief from the swollen neck that I have carried for a very long time. I hope to look normal again and live a better, happy, and enjoyable life for the rest of my life. I will resume farming as soon as possible.”

Dennis is a 23-year-old father to one son. He is a hardworking man and a loving husband to his wife. Dennis and his family live in a small bamboo house in the Philippines. His wife stays at home with their son while he works as a contractual laborer, making about $80 a month. Three years ago, Dennis felt pain in his inguinal area but did not have any consultation because of financial issues. The pain worsened while he was working as a laborer because he was lifting heavy objects at work. Dennis was unable to stop working as his income was the only financial means for his family. Dennis verbalized that he wants to be a reliable provider for his family and now that he is already a father, his first priority is their welfare, even though it means sacrificing his own comforts. Dennis really desires to give his best to provide the needs of their family. Dennis was screened at International Care Ministries, one of Watsi's medical partners. He underwent a series of tests and was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. The doctor strongly suggested that he undergo an emergency operation because Dennis' condition is getting worse. However, Dennis and his family cannot afford the treatment because Dennis' income is only enough for their daily needs. $1,437 will fund Dennis' hernia repair. After the surgery, he is looking forward to seeking a more stable job and to spend time with his family. "I did not expect that my condition would be given attention," shared Dennis. "Now that I have my own family, they are my number one priority and I thought I would have this condition forever. A fellow father may know how I feel. I am thankful that there are still people who are willing to help me. Thank you so much, it means a lot."

Ixbalan is 16 years old and currently lives with Lupus - causing many debilitating symptoms. When she has flare-ups, she feels intense joint pain, has nose bleeds, and feels very weak. She has had to stop studying because her symptoms are so bad, and has had to give up some of her favorite activities--such as making crafts and embroidering. Ixbalan lives with her mother and siblings in a rural mountainous community in Guatemala in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. She likes to spend her free time listening to music on the radio, eating melon and estofado (a pulled pork dish) and playing soccer when she feels up to it. She likes to attend mass with her family every Sunday. Her mother supports the family by selling food, which only provides enough money to buy the basic necessities for her family. The medications that Ixbalan needs in order to be healthy are not only incredibly expensive, but also not available in the basic pharmacy in her community, making it difficult for her to get the treatment she needs to be a normal teenager. This treatment, which costs $367, will provide Ixbalan with the medications and personalized in-home medical attention she needs to feel better and be able to attend school again. Her dream is to finish school, so she can get a job--which she is excited to do once her symptoms are under control. We are confident that Ixbalan can live a healthy and productive life once she receives this high-quality care. "We were so worried," Ixbalan's mother shares. "At first she had a lot of strange symptoms. She was weak, we thought she was going to die. They told us she had cancer. We were all so scared. Thanks to God this isn't cancer, but it is still a very strong sickness. We started to buy some medicines but with the little that I earn I cannot continue buying more because they are so expensive. Now she is not taking any medicine because we don't have money and she is already starting to feel bad again. Thanks to you all for all of your help, for those who are going to donate so Ixbalan can get better."

Saruni is a one-month-old baby boy, born just this last January in Tanzania. His mother is a homemaker, and his father is a livestock keeper. Two of his siblings attend school, and his parents hope he will one day as well. At birth, Saruni was diagnosed with bilateral clubfoot. Without intervention, he will be forced to walk on the sides of his feet. His gait and ability to walk will be impacted long-term. However, with clubfoot surgery, which will cost $1,160, Saruni will be able to run, play, and walk pain-free. This cost includes all post-operative care and medication. Saruni's mother states: “I hope that my baby’s feet can be straightened so that when he starts to walk he can walk like other children."

Meet Ruhweza, a 58-year-old father of seven from Uganda. "Ruhweza has had right inguinal scrotal painful swelling for a long time," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. As a carpenter, the hernia has made his work difficult. "He feels pain in the groin region when he lifts heavy items or when digging," AMHF shares. He has not been able to work in this profession for the past three years, resorting to supporting his family by selling bananas. An inguinal hernia typically occurs when a tissue or organ abnormally protrudes through the abdomen, causing swelling. If not treated, Ruhweza could be at risk of developing intestinal blockage and an incarcerated hernia, which occurs when the hernia becomes strangulated. Ruhweza has tried using herbal medicines to reduce the swelling, however, none of the symptoms have subsided. With the hospital's treatment, Ruhweza will be pain-free and able to return to work. $220 covers the cost of hernia repair surgery to eliminate the risk of strangulation and obstruction and to allow Ruhweza to be able to support his family once again. "Thank you very much. I pray that God may give you strength to continue helping the poor,” shares Ruhweza.

"I have lived with this condition for seven years," shares Kengonzi. "I can’t believe I am still alive.” Kengonzi is a 25-year-old woman from Uganda. “Kengonzi is married and a mother of four boys, two of whom are twins. She is a casual laborer – she digs for people for a fee so that she can buy personal items and pay fees for her two children in Primary One,” describes our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Kengonzi got a swelling on her upper abdomen about seven years ago. She went to a hospital where she was diagnosed with epigastric hernia,” explains AMHF. “She was unable to pay for her treatment and decided to use herbs which she feels increased the pain. Due to pain, Kengonzi is unable to lift heavy items – she cannot fetch water or collect firewood for her family." If not treated, Kengonzi may develop intestinal incarceration, obstruction and strangulation. $220 funds a treatment that will eliminate these risks and help Kengonzi feel normal again. After surgery, Kengonzi hopes to start a small business preparing and selling porridge.

Yunis is a hard working 19-year-old woman from Tanzania, where she lives with her parents and five siblings. “She just completed her secondary education last year and she hopes to get good results and continue with higher level of education. She enjoys playing netball and at home she helps her mother with everyday chores,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Some years ago, Yunis got her ears pierced. According to AMHF, this led to keloids on both ears. Keloids result from the overgrowth of scar tissue, generally occurring at a site where skin is injured. They are hard growths often larger than the original wound itself. Yunis has undergone three surgical procedures to treat the keloids. The keloid on her right ear went away after the first procedure, but the left ear keloid continues to persist. Because of the keloids, Yunis experiences itching on her left ear, and cannot leave the house without a hat. If she does not get treated, the keloid will continue to grow and impact her self-esteem. AMHF can treat Yunis with mass excision surgery. They tell us that with this surgery, “The keloid will be removed, and that will boost Yunis’ self-confidence.” Treatment will cost a total of $920, which covers surgical and medical expenses, as well as six days in the hospital and six weeks at a rehabilitation center. Unfortunately, with four of their children in school, Yunis’ parents cannot afford to pay for anymore procedures. “I am interested in studying environmental law, so I hope I will continue with school,” shares Yunis.

Meet Byaruhanga, a 56-year-old man from Uganda. “Byaruhanga is a peasant, married and father of five,” and four of his children are still in school, describes our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Byaruhanga developed a swelling in his left groin area about four months ago. He consulted a nurse who told him it could be a hernia. He went to the hospital where it was confirmed he has a hernia. Byaruhanga was advised to have surgery but he couldn’t afford to pay for it...He feels very uncomfortable when he sleeps on his back and he is scared of strangulation. He feels blessed to have learned about the Watsi program because he has hope that he will get help,” explains AMHF. If left untreated, Byaruhanga is at risk of intestinal incarceration, obstruction and strangulation. $220 funds a treatment that will eliminate these risks and help him feel normal again. After surgery, he hopes to continue working hard so his children don't drop out of school. He shares: “Thank you for bringing us help. God bless you.”

Godlisten was born in Tanzania on May 15th, 2015. After praying for a baby for a long time, his mother named him “God-listen” because her prayers were answered when she was able to have a child. When Godlisten was two months old, his sister was carrying him near some boiling tea. The chair gave way as she sat down, and Godlisten’s hand went straight into the boiling tea. The tea spilled on both of them and they incurred severe burns. Godlisten can no longer use his right hand due to a severe burn scar contracture on his wrist and hand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “Left untreated, Godlisten will have a non-functioning right hand, which will affect his ability to perform various activities as he continues to grow.” Godlisten’s father works as a security guard at a privately owned company. Godlisten’s mother used to sell secondhand clothes, fry and sell donuts, and crochet, but she no longer works. The whole family now relies on Godlisten’s father’s salary, which is not enough to cover their basic needs or Godlisten's treatment. With $870, Godlisten will receive a contracture release and skin graft. Afterwards, Godlisten will be able to use his hand normally. “It is a miracle that my son is alive. I give thanks and pray for another miracle that his hand can be straightened so that he can use it normally,” Godlisten’s mother shares.

A 67-year-old mother of five, Nyamisozi lives in the mountains of Uganda with her large family. "She gets money from selling coffee beans that she picks from a few coffee trees that her late husband left behind," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. Ten years ago, Nyamisozi first felt a lump behind her lower left jaw. Since developing the mass, it has continued to grow in size and causes her pain when she sleeps. Though not highly painful all of the time, it causes her discomfort in her day-to-day life, making it difficult to work. Even though the mass is not currently cancerous, if left in her jaw it could become malignant over time. The mass would continue to grow if not treated, and could potentially disfigure Nyamisozi or compress her major airways. $200 will cover the cost of surgery to remove the mass, eliminating the risk of it compressing her airways or becoming cancerous. After surgery, Nyamisozi will be able to go about her life without having to worry or feel discomfort while sleeping. "She hopes to increase the number of coffee trees so that she can be able to get more income,” AMHF reports on her plans for after treatment.

Abraham is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania, where he lives with his parents and siblings. “He is a mama’s boy,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “Ever since the fire accident he does not want to leave his mama’s side.” When Abraham was eight months old, he burned his right foot on hot coals. While Abraham’s wounds seemed to heal with traditional herbs and honey, a contracture (shortening of muscle cells that leads to rigidity) subsequently developed. “Abraham is unable to wear shoes or walk properly due to burn scar contracture of his right foot and ankle. Abraham’s gait will continue to be affected if not treated,” explains AMHF. AMHF can treat Abraham with contracture release surgery and a skin graft. Surgery will help Abraham regain flexibility, and burned skin tissue will be replaced with healthy tissue. “Abraham’s gait will improve and he will be able to wear shoes,” says AMHF. Treatment will cost $870, which includes surgical and medical fees, a four-day stay at the hospital, and a 12 week stay at a physical rehabilitation center. With both of his parents working as farmers, they cannot afford to pay for Abraham’s treatment. “All I hope is for my son to be able to walk properly and wear shoes, so that when he grows up, he can herd cattle, and go to school,” says Abraham’s mother.