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!"

Dah Si is a 23-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her parents in a village. She had to stop her education in 2021 due to COVID-19 lockdowns and later the military coup in her country. Now she assists her parents with household chores while her parents are farmers. During her free time, Dah Si enjoys playing with her niece and nephew, listening to music, and watching movies on her phone. Dah Si has a heart condition that requires replacement of two heart valves (aortic and mitral) and repair of the tricuspid valve. These valves control the blood flow between the chambers of the heart and are necessary to prevent long term damage to the heart and lungs. She experiences difficulty breathing, chest pains, fatigue, a decreased appetite and a rapid heartbeat. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 for this complex surgery. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Kasemrad Prachachuen Hospital on November 21st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and have a more active and healthy life ahead. Dah Si mentioned, "when I see my friends having fun, playing, and exploring new places, I wish I could join them. But because of my condition, I just stay at home. Even at home, I sometimes feel tired and struggle to breathe. Knowing that BCMF and donors will support my treatment, I feel very happy. Thank you so much for your kindness and support."

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."

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.

John is a devoted farmer and a loving father of three boys. He finds solace and fulfillment in tending to his farm, caring for his sheep and cows. Unfortunately, last year, he suffered a leg injury that affected his mobility, and he now relies on a walker to move around. Thankfully, his wife has been a great support, assisting him with daily tasks since the accident. When our medical partner first encountered John, he had come to the emergency department with a four-day-old fracture. The injury occurred when he bravely confronted a wild animal that had threatened his sheep during the night. However, he slipped on muddy ground during the encounter, resulting in a severe injury to his right leg. Upon closer examination, doctors discovered that John had experienced a previous fracture in the same leg about a year ago, which had never received proper treatment. Despite getting a cast in a nearby health facility, John and his family couldn't afford the transportation to Kapsowar Hospital for treatment by an orthopedic surgeon. Consequently, he endured pain and had limited use of his limb. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) has skilled surgeons who can offer assistance. On August 2nd, John is scheduled to undergo a fracture repair procedure, known as an open reduction and internal fixation. This intervention will alleviate his pain, allow for proper healing, and restore his ability to work and provide for his family. To support John's journey to recovery, AMH is seeking $1145 to fund the procedure. Your generous contribution will make a significant impact, giving John the opportunity to heal, regain mobility, and continue his vital role as a provider for his family. John says, "I have had problems with my body, and my financial status is very poor. I wish I was well and with energy so that I can do my daily chores. Please help me undergo this surgery so that I may be strong and be able to restore my mobility.”

Peace is a 65-year-old farmer and a mother to three children. Her eldest daughter is in the army, middle child is in the police force, and the youngest one is married to a farmer. During her studying days, her wish was to be a nurse but she lost her father in high school. Unfortunately, her mother couldn’t raise her school fees leading her to drop out. She has been married for 32 years, and she and her husband are farmers. She shared that together they enjoy attending church services, preaching to the young generation, and caring for each other. Five years ago, Peace began to experience troubling symptoms, including anterior neck swelling, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and swallowing with persistent heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with nontoxic goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Peace receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on February 28th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252. She and her family need help raising money. Peace says “I hope for a full recovery once am operated and with God's mercy, I think all will be well.”

Moringe is a 13-year-old boy from a Maasai family in Tanzania. Moringe is the seventh child of his mother and comes from a large family. His father, a livestock keeper, works hard to support his children and family. The Maasai community in Kiteto primarily relies on livestock farming, and Moringe’s father is a respected cattle breeder. Unfortunately, Moringe is currently facing a debilitating physical condition that severely affects his mobility and hampers his ability to walk long distances. In 2022, Moringe began to experience pain in his feet. Shortly after, his knees began to bow inward, leading to the development of a condition commonly known as knee knocking or Genu Valgus. This condition often stems from an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often occurs because of contaminated drinking water. Morinfe's condition affects his daily activities and restricts his participation in important community events and educational opportunities. Due to limited financial resources and the high cost of medical care, Moringe's family hasn't been able to get Moringe the support he needs. Thankfully, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Moringe. The procedure is scheduled for June 6th, and treatment will hopefully restore Moringe's mobility, allow him to participate in the activities he's missed out on, and decrease his risk of future complications. Moringe says, "I hope this chance I got will help change my life for the better. I hope when I go home, I will be able to do most of my activities without feeling any pain in my leg."

Som Orn is a 53-year-old rice farmer. She shared that her husband passed away ten years ago due to liver cancer. Som Orn has three sons, three daughters, and two grandchildren. Her children all work in construction, and she works in the rice fields. At home, Som Orn likes to listen to the news on the radio. Five years ago, Som Orn developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, 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 she cannot go out on her own. When Som Orn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 7th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Som Orn said: "After surgery, I hope I will see better. I can plant rice or find a job to earn money to support my family."

Lu is a 63-year-old man who lives with his wife and niece in a refugee camp in Thailand. He is unemployed, while his wife is a homemaker, and his niece is a student. Lu enjoys going to the forest to fish in the steams and to forage for vegetables. He shared he also likes to read the Bible and to sing hymns. Lu developed cataracts in both of his eyes. As a result, his vision is blurry and impaired, which makes it difficult for Lu to lead an independent life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Lu. On January 19th, doctors at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital will perform a lens replacement procedure, during which they will remove Lu's natural lenses, and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, Lu will be able to see clearly again and get back to his day-to-day life. Now, he needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Lu said: “I feel so annoyed and uncomfortable when I try to look around me, so I will often just close my eyes,” he said. “I want to receive surgery so that my vision can be restored.”