Savorn is a married factory worker. She has a 15-year-old daughter who studies in grade 10 at a public school. Her husband is a welder. In her free time, she enjoys exercising, watching TV, cooking, and taking care of her daughter. In September, she was involved in a motorbike collision and injured her left hand. She went to a Khmer traditional healer but the pain and swelling did not improve. She is unable to move her thumb, hold objects or work in the factory. It is difficult for her to sleep at night due to the pain and throbbing. Fortunately, a neighbor previously had surgery at Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), and suggested Savorn should go to have her thumb fixed. Doctors at CSC have diagnosed her with a dislocation of her joint, and now she needs help to pay $485 for an open reduction-internal fixation of her thumb joint. After surgery, her pain and swelling should disappear and she will be able to return to work. Savorn says, "After surgery, I hope my left hand will have no pain, I will be able to bend it, and can return to work."

Lout is a 70-year-old retired rice farmer. Lout has two sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren. Five years ago, her husband passed away due to hypertension. She lives with her eldest daughter who manages the ancestral farmland. When Lout is not cooking or helping her daughter care for the grandchildren, she enjoys listening to monks chant on the radio. Two years ago, Lout developed a cataract in her left eye, causing light sensitivity, blurry vision, and tearing. 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 Lout learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 30th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Lout say, "I hope I can see better so I can take care of myself. I want to go to the pagoda by myself and visit with my neighbors without being afraid I will fall."

Natalia, who is 13 years old, lives in the mountains above La Paz with her parents and two younger brothers. Natalia was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Because of this hole, blood leaks out without passing through the chambers of her heart to gather oxygen, leaving Natalia weak and short of breath. Fortunately, Natalia's family sought care through our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, and Natalia is now scheduled for corrective surgery on January 17th, at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During the surgery, doctors will sew a patch over the hole in Natalia's heart, enabling her to live a healthy life. Another organization Gift of Life International has contributed $3,000 and our medical partner is seeking your help to fund the remaining $1,500 needed for this life-saving procedure. Natalia said: "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can go to school without feeling tired."

Rosalie is a 26-year-old mother of three from the Philippines. She is a full-time mom, and her husband works multiple part-time jobs to provide for their family's basic needs. Last November, Rosalie began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe upper abdominal and back pain. Her condition hinders her from doing household chores and looking after her children, and it also worries her family, as the episodes of pain have become more frequent. Rosalie was diagnosed with cholelithiasis, or gallstones, and has been advised to have surgery to remove her gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Rosalie is scheduled to have her gallbladder surgically removed on August 20th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $826 to cover the cost of Rosalie's surgery and care. Her husband shares, "We are incapable of financing her surgery, and we don't know where to find the money to help her. So, thank you, Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines! Your support is a big help to our family."

Jayden is an adorable 1-month-old baby from Kenya. He has two older siblings. His mother works as a hairdresser but currently stays home caring for Jayden, while his father works as a casual laborer at construction sites. The family shared that they do not have the insurance coverage to cover Jayden’s surgery needs and request assistance. Jayden was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Jayden is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, exposed nervous tissue infection, tethered cord syndrome development, and possible developmental delays. Jayden will undergo spina bifida closure surgery on December 13th. This procedure will help Jayden grow up healthy and without any risks associated with this condition. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Jayden’s spina bifida closure surgery. Jayden’s mother says: “We have never seen such a condition in our family, and it is very hard to explain to people. We are hopeful that he will be treated soon.”

Zion is a playful and active baby girl from the Philippines. She loves to eat, dance, and play! Her mother stays home taking care of her, and her father works as an online seller. Zion was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. While her parents share that her father's income is enough to support their day-to-day needs, they cannot fund another surgery, especially since they are still working to pay off debt from Zion's previous surgeries. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), can help. Zion is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on July 16th at WSFP's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Now, her family needs support in raising $434 to cover the total cost of the procedure and care. After her recovery, Zion will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Zion's mother shares, "This will be her third and last surgery. After the surgery, Zion will be able to play and move comfortably. As a parent, I don't want her to get bullied and be hurt when she grows up. Thanks to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines, she can now grow as a normal kid."

Nicholas is a 17-year-old high school student, who aspires to become a professional driver. He is the youngest of eight children, and lives with his family in Kenya. When he was young, Nicholas was hit by a bicycle. He was treated for his injuries, and sent home. Now, as a teenager, Nicholas finds his left knee bowing inwards, and knocking against his right leg, making it difficult for him to walk. Nicholas' parents brought him to a local, mobile clinic to be evaluated. As a result of the evaluation, and with the support of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Nicholas is scheduled for corrective surgery on November 14th, at AIC Cure International Hospital. After he has recovered, Nicholas should be able to walk comfortably again. Now his family needs your help to fund this procedure, which will cost $1,224. “I would be happy to see my leg straightened so that I can walk normally like my friends,” Nicholas shared with us.

Krib is a 48-year-old farmer who is married with two sons and one daughter. When not outside on the farm with her husband, Krib likes to keep her house clean and cook for her family. On and off since she was young, Krib has experienced ear infections. These infections caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left side ear to perforate. Krib now feels ear and face pain with uncomfortable discharge and hearing loss. Krib has spent a lot of money at pharmacies for medications, but her symptoms have persisted. Krib now struggles to communicate with her family and shared that she feels embarrassed about her hearing loss. Krib traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 6th, Krib will undergo a procedure in her ear where surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is raising $487 to fund this procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Krib's husband shared, "I hope she stops having ear infections and her hearing will improve."

Selina is a student who comes from Nodusoto village, one of the rural parts of Arusha, Tanzania. She came to our partner's health center earlier this month. She likes to help out with translations when she is close by, and enjoys spending time with the other junior residents. Selina comes from a middle-size family of five children. Her parents work on a farm as small-scale farmers and sell some of their harvest to earn money that enables them to provide for the family's basic needs. When Selina was three years old, she was accidentally pushed and fell into a pit of burning manure that burned both her hands. The parents took her to the hospital, and she received treatment. The treatment helped but she now has burn scar contractures on both of her hands. There is limited use of her hands as her fingers are now not defined. Despite this, she went on to pursue her goals. She has now completed her ordinary secondary school and wants to go further in studies. She is asking for your help see her through the treatment and make the journey ahead easier. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Selina receive treatment. On October 18th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her hands easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Selina says, “I hope this treatment will make my school journey easier.”

Ezekiel is a 4-year-old young boy and the second born in a family of four children. He is a charming, playful, and friendly boy. He has not joined school yet though his mother says he never stops telling his father that he wants to go to school like his older brother! In 2019, Ezekiel accidentally stepped into an open fire and sustained severe burns on both of his feet and hands. He was rushed to the hospital where he was admitted for over eight months receiving treatment and therapy. Given the long period he stayed at the hospital, his parents spent every savings they had and had to ask for support from friends and relatives. Despite the treatment, his feet have been severely deformed due to burn contractures, and Ezekiel has difficulty wearing shoes and walking. He has been scheduled for surgery to start correcting his right foot, but his parents cannot afford the treatment cost. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ezekiel receive treatment. On May 10th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him be able to wear shoes and walk easily again. Now, he needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Ezekiel's mother says “Wearing shoes is difficult and he complains of pain when he plays. Please help treat him."