Kun is a hardworking and caring grandfather from Cambodia. He and his wife both work as farmers, and they have two sons and three daughters. During his free time, Kun enjoys listening to the radio, watching TV, and taking care of his grandchild. When it is not rice season, Kun works doing motorcycle repairs. In 1988, Kun's leg was injured by a land mine, and he had to have a below knee amputation. The amputation site has since become infected, causing him to experience pain when using the artificial leg. Fortunately, Kun will undergo a stump revision procedure on August 2nd at our medical partner's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $391 to fund Kun's surgery. This procedure will hopefully heal the infected area and allow him to use his prosthesis to walk again. Kun says, "I hope my right leg will not have any pain or infection and I can walk again."

Molita is a five-month-old baby girl. She is the first child in her family, and her mother works in a garment factory to support their needs. Molita was born with polydactyly of both hands, which means that she has an extra finger on each hand. If the extra fingers are not removed, it will become difficult for Molita to use her hands as she grows older and she could face social stigma from others. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Molita receive treatment. On April 5th, surgeons at CSC's medical center will perform a polydactyly repair procedure to remove the extra digits. After surgery, she will feel more comfortable and will be able to use her hands easily. Now, her family needs help raising $256 to fund her procedure and care. Molita's mother shared, "I hope she recovers quickly from surgery and is happy."

Jordan is a charming and playful three-year-old boy. He has a twin brother and they love playing together. Jordan comes from a family of five children who are being raised by their single mother. Jordan’s mother is working hard to raise her children by herself since her husband left home when Jordan and his twin brother were one year old. Jordan’s mother sells fruits in order to provide food for their family. Jordan has been diagnosed with right varus, where his right leg bows outward so that his knees do not touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking and playing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Jordan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 8th. Treatment will hopefully restore Jordan's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, keep up with his twin brother, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Jordan’s mother shared her hope for Jordan's care and said: “I am only able to get very little money through my fruit business; I will not be able to afford his treatment cost.”

Lazaro is a social and friendly 15-year-old student and the third born child in a family of nine children. His parents are small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. He is currently in class five, and his best subjects in school are social studies and mathematics. Lazaro was born with clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the feet are twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Despite his condition, he tries to keep active and loves to play football. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Lazaro receive treatment. On December 17th, he will undergo clubfoot repair surgery at AMH's care center. After treatment, he will be able to run and play with friends more easily. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Lazaro's procedure and care. Lazaro shared, "I would love to have normal feet like my siblings and friends. I will be so happy if it can be possible."

Scovian is a quiet 6-year-old student and the firstborn in a family of two. She was brought to our clinic by her grandmother who takes care of her. She shared that Scovian's mother is a hawker in a town near her home while her father left the family because of her birth condition. Scovian has clubfoot of both feet. The condition has seriously affected her mobility. Balancing and maintaining her posture is a challenge. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Scovian is stigmatized due to this condition in the village and at school. At school, Scovian is often mocked by other pupils. Due to that, her grandmother escorts her to school every day. Fortunately, Scovian traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Scovian's clubfoot repair. After treatment, her self-esteem will be boosted, she will be able to put on shoes, walk well, and engage with friends. Also, she will be able to continue with her studies well. Scovian's grandmother says, “If the surgery is done and is successful, I will be grateful to God.”

When Brandon was one week old, his mother noticed that he had not passed stool since he was born, and his stomach was swollen and painful. His mother took him to a nearby facility for examination, where Brandon was immediately referred to another facility in Nairobi. However, due to financial difficulties, they cannot travel to Nairobi and instead went to a larger, nearby facility. When they arrived, Brandon was examined and given medication for him to pass stool. The medication worked to alleviate Brandon's discomfort, so he was discharged a few days after. However, after a few months, the medication became less effective and Brandon had to be taken to the clinic again. Brandon was admitted as an emergency patient and was given new medications, which were ineffective. His condition worsened. Fortunately, he was then referred to BethanyKids Hospital, a care center of our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Upon arrival to BethanyKids, he was examined again and after tests he has been diagnosed with problems in his colon. Brandon now requires a special surgery to finally treat his condition. Brandon is the youngest in a family of five children. His father was working as a security guard and was the breadwinner of the family, but passed away when Brandon was six months old. Brandon's mother does not have a stable job, and it is getting more difficult as work becomes scarce. Without medical insurance to pay for Brandon's procedure, his mother and AMH are requesting $743 to help pay for the expenses. Brandon’s mother appreciates the support, “I am very happy to hear that my son will be treated and grow up as a normal child. I am just requesting for any help so he may be treated.”

Phors is a 21-year-old construction worker--the youngest in his family with two brothers and two sisters. Phors lives at home with his parents. His mother is a cleaner and his father is a farmer. When he is not building houses, Phors enjoys playing football, listening to music, and playing games on his phone. On March 28th, Phors was in a motor vehicle accident and fractured his left mandible and right femur. It is difficult for him to open his mouth or eat ever since. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 8th, Phors will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will help him to use his mouth easily again and be on the road to recovery and healing. Phors shared, "I hope I can return to work without pain and will be able to easily eat or drink."

Tun is a 73-year-old man who lives with his three daughters in Umpiem Mai Refugee Camp in Thailand. Each month, Tun's household receives a small cash card to purchase rations in the camp, and their monthly household income is just enough to cover daily expenses. In his free time, Tun loves to read books and loves telling stories to his neighbours’ children. He is always welcoming, giving the children snacks and telling them stories from his home. Tun also loves to grow different types of vegetables around his house, sharing the harvest with his neighbours who cannot afford to buy vegetables. Before he felt unwell, Tun used to volunteer, organising cleaning groups in the camp and helping with road repairs. Currently, Tun experiences on and off pain in his upper abdomen. He also has a slight fever and often feels nauseous. Over time, his appetite has gradually decreased, and he has lost weight. Tun has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If his condition is left untreated, Tun's symptoms will continue to worsen and he will be at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Tun is scheduled to undergo his cholecystectomy on February 16th. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Tun's procedure and care. Once recovered, he will able to resume gardening, volunteering, and socializing with others in the camp. Tun shared, “I love volunteering and I am happy to help the community with whatever I can. But since I got sick, I cannot participate, and I cannot go to the monastery to help clean nor can I meditate. If I ever feel better again, I will continue to help my community with whatever I can do and I will also continue to grow vegetables around my house for my family and for my neighbours.”

Lenox is a 1-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the second-born child in a family of two children. Lenox’s father works as a guard and earns limited income, so he is not able to cover the cost of Lenox's treatment. Lenox has clubfoot in both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes him difficulty with walking and wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lenox's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Lenox's clubfoot repair. After treatment, as he grows, he will be able to walk well and wear shoes when he grows up. He will be able to run and play just like all the other kids. Lenox’s mother shared, “We have tried to seek treatment for our son’s feet with no success, but we were referred to this hospital with the hope he could get proper treatment, but the cost has turned out to be expensive for us. Please help support us if possible.”

Tabitha is a middle-aged woman from Kenya and a very jovial lady. She is a single mother with two children. In December 2019, Tabitha started feeling some swollen tissue in her breast. A few days later, she went to a nearby hospital to seek care. In the facility, a scan was done and she was given some medication. As time went by, the tissue in her breast continued to grow and worried Tabitha greatly. She returned to the facility to seek further treatment, but beyond a biopsy test and another scan, the facility told her they could not offer her additional treatment. When a family member paid her a visit, Tabitha shared her story and was referred to Kijabe Hospital. Upon arrival, she was examined and diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctors recommended a mastectomy to remove the lump in her breast. Without treatment, the cancer may metastasize to other organs. Tabitha has struggled financially to raise both of her children. To earn a living, she makes and repairs fishing nets and hooks and later sells them. One of her children has joined her in this business, and the other one does casual jobs to earn a living. Tabitha is not able to raise or source funds to pay for this surgery and appeals for financial help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $857 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Tabitha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th. After treatment, Tabitha will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Tabitha says, “Having heard from the doctor that the swollen tissue might be cancerous, I am very much worried about my health. On the other hand, I am happy that the tissue can be removed. I am hopeful that I will receive treatment very soon despite having no money for the surgery.”

Suzana is a kindergartener from Tanzania. She is five years old and the only child to her single mother. She was born a healthy child and has been developing well until earlier this year in March. Her mother started noting her dragging her right leg when walking and lacking strength mostly on the right side of her body. Previously she could run and play freely. She would walk to her kindergarten school with her friends with ease. However, she started having difficulties in all these activities, which made her mom worried.  Suzana’s mother is a single mother working as a cleaner at a local university to make a living. Her husband left them when Suzana was just two years old. Her mom shared that it has not been easy for her to support Suzana on her own and things are now even harder given Suzana’s condition. It took Suzana’s mother a few months to be able to save some money and take Suzana to Arusha district hospital where she was referred to Watsi's Medical Partner ALMC hospital for a diagnosis. At ALMC hospital, Suzana was diagnosed with hydrocephalus which has caused a tumor in her head. She needs to have surgery to help drain the fluids accumulating and thereafter have the tumor excised if possible. Her mother is unable to afford the treatment cost and she is asking for help and support. Suzana has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Suzana has been experiencing general weakness on her right side of the body and dragging her legs. Without treatment, Suzana will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $802 to cover the cost of surgery for Suzana that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 17th and will drain the excess fluid from Suzana's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Suzana will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Suzana's mother shared, “I would love to see my daughter walk well again, resume school and be able to get back to normal. The cost of the surgery is something I can’t afford. Please find a place in your hearts and help my daughter."

Phyo is a two-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents and sisters and a brother in Fo Fai Village. His parents are originally from Bago Division in Burma and moved to Thailand in search of better job opportunities around 10 years ago. Both of his parents are agricultural day laborers. Phyo’s parents cannot afford to send him or his siblings to school and they are looked after by his six-year-old sister when his parents are working. Phyo was born a healthy baby boy at Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). In June 2019, Phyo’s mother noticed that both of Phyo’s testicles were swollen. At first she thought that the swelling was caused by an insect bite and that the swelling would come down on its own. However, the swelling never reduced. Busy with work and since Phyo did no complain of any pain and looked otherwise healthy, his mother did not take him to a clinic or a hospital. In the beginning of November 2019, his mother realized that his testicles were increasing in size and he was uncomfortable. His mother decided to have this checked and brought him to MTC in early November. When they arrived at the clinic, the medic completed a physical examination and gave him antibiotics. The medic also told Phyo’s mother that they could not treat him further because the medic was not completely sure what his diagnosis was. They were told that Phyo would need to receive an x-ray at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) so that they could diagnose him properly. Since his mother did not have enough money to pay for the x-ray and she had work she had to do at home, she brought Phyo back to their village. At home, Phyo took the antibiotics the medic had given him, which seemed to reduce the size of his testicles. However, on April 7th, 2020, Phyo’s mother noticed that his swelling was increasing in size again and that he could not pass urine nor stool; she became worried when she noted that he ate and drank a lot the whole day. The next day, his mother asked her pastor if they could take them back to MTC, as she did not have enough money to pay for transportation. Their pastor agreed to help them and drove them to the clinic. At MTC Phyo received a physical examination and the medic explained to Phyo’s mother that he might have a hernia. The medic diagnosed him with incarcerated inguinal hernia and told them that he would need to receive surgery at the nearby hospital. Phyo has an inguinal hernia and currently cannot pass urine nor stool. He cannot walk or stand for the past two days as his swelling is severe and uncomfortable. Fortunately, on April 8th, he will 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 Phyo's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 8th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Phyo's mother said, “I feel very stressed and worried about my son. I can’t help him any further as I don’t have money. His father has also not come back since he went back to Burma [a month ago to take care of his sick parents]. I cannot work and I have no income as we have less work during this time of the year. Sometimes our neighbors have to give us a meal. Now I have a debt of 600 baht (approx. 20 USD) already from my neighbor, without interest.”