Hla is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. She is originally from Karen State, Burma but moved to Thailand when she was 12 years old. She lives with her 11-year-old son. She sells vegetables, which she picks on different farms around Mae Sot. In June, Hla had an accident while she was riding a bicycle with her son from school. She is now suffering with pain in her arm. Her left forearm and fingers are swollen, and she is unable to move and use them properly. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Hla will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for June 8 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Hla will be able to return home. She says, “I am worried that soon I might not be able to pay rent for our house anymore. Also, I am worried about my arm. I hope that I will be able to use it again in the future, so that I can go back to work and support me and my son.”

Iloveda is a young woman from Haiti. She lives on an island off the west coast of Haiti with her parents, who are both farmers. Iloveda is in the seventh grade in school, and would like to be a nurse or a teacher when she grows up. Iloveda has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage prevents adequate blood flow through one of the valves. This condition leaves her sick and short of breath, and would eventually be fatal. Iloveda will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On May 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Iloveda's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Iloveda's family overseas. She says, "I am excited to have a healthy heart and to do everything I want to do without getting tired!"

Stessie is a toddler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and older brothers in Cap Haitien, a city in northern Haiti. She likes listening to music and going to church with her family. Stessie has Down syndrome. Stessie also has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and short of breath. On April 8, she will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will use stitches to close the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Stessie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. Her mother says, "We are looking forward to this surgery so our daughter can play and be more active."

Dennis is a child from Tanzania. He started kindergarten this year. Dennis lives with his parents in the eastern region of Tanzania. His father is a mason, and his mother is a housewife who takes care of the family. About three years ago, Dennis tripped a jar of hot porridge and sustained burns on both legs. He developed contractures on his right leg. Currently, the contractures inhibit his movement, making it difficult for Dennis to walk and play with his siblings. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Dennis receive treatment. On March 6, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery. When treated, he will be able to stretch his knee and walk without difficulty and pain. He will also be able to attend school. Now, his family needs help to fund this $608 procedure.

Vorn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has nine children and four grandchildren and likes to visit the pagoda in his spare time. In September 2017, he fell in the rice field and developed pain on his left side. He is not working anymore and is experiencing chronic pain. He can only walk about three meters. Fortunately, Vorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Vorn of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 11, and Vorn needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. He says, "I hope I can walk again."

Sim is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four children and four grandchildren. She likes watching Cambodian comedy TV shows in her free time. Two years ago, she started experiencing pain in her knee. She can only walk about 15 meters, and it's causing pain and discomfort. Fortunately, Sim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Sim of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 10, and Sim needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I hope I can help the pain on my knee and take care of my grandchildren."

“I am not scared to get surgery,” Nandar shares. “I believe that it will help me, and that my body will heal fast.” Nandar is a 16-year-old girl who lives in Thailand with her mother. Currently, Nandar works in a textile factory. But Nandar says that she likes to read books and even writes her own stories. She dreams of writing a book someday or becoming a teacher. Earlier this year, Nandar began to experience multiple nose bleeds and heart palpitations. Concerned, her mother took her to the hospital. There, an echocardiogram revealed that Nandar has a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This means that her arteries are not properly moving blood from her lungs to the rest of her body. Because Nandar tires so easily now, she has not been able to work as much as she would like to, which has put financial strain on her and her mother. If left untreated, PDA could also cause Nandar lung damage. Nandar has no choice but to undergo surgery if she hopes to avoid this outcome. However, she and her mother cannot afford the $1,500 needed to pay for her operation on December 11, as well as the associated lab tests and hospital stay. With your help, Nandar can receive her surgery and once more have a functioning heart and lungs. With her health intact, Nandar will be able to pursue the writing and teaching career she dreams of.

Joseph is a 14-month-old baby who lives with his parents in Kenya. His mother is a subsistence farmer, and his father is a motorbike taxi driver. At birth, Joseph was diagnosed with spina bifida, which has led to the development of hydrocephalus. Spina bifida refers to an incomplete closure of the spinal cord, which puts Joseph at risk of infection of exposed nervous tissue, a tethered spinal cord, loss of muscular function in his lower limbs, and intensification of his hydrocephalus, which is a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to fund spina bifida closure surgery for Joseph, which is scheduled to take place on June 21. A local NGO, APDK, is subsidizing $206 of Joseph's treatment. Joseph's mother says, “I am devastated. I wake up every morning to the painful reminder that this isn’t a dream. I go to bed every night hopeless, exhausted from worry and despair. My one lingering thought is, 'Why my baby?'”

Ofelio is a 54-year-old man from Guatemala. He lives with his family in Guatemala's rural highlands. Six years ago, while working as a construction worker, Ofelio lost his leg after an accident with a woodcutter. As a result, he's had trouble finding a stable source of income to support his family. On July 19, Ofelio will be fitted for a custom prosthetic leg at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Regional de Zacapa. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,166 to cover the cost of Ofelio's prosthetic. With his prosthetic leg, Ofelio will be able to walk comfortably and search for a new job. "I am happy to be able to walk again," says Ofelio. "Thank you for the support!"

Pwint is a 22-year-old seamstress living with her family in Burma. She loves her work and in her free time enjoys sewing and embroidery. When Pwint was three years old, she began to experience difficulty breathing. Her mother took her to a local clinic, where they prescribed an oral medication to help alleviate her symptoms. In 2017, her condition worsened so her mother brought her to the local hospital. She was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect and doctors recommended that she undergo surgery. Without treatment, Pwint will continue to experience chest pain and severe fatigue. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Pwint's surgery, which will be performed on August 8. Pwint is hopeful that the surgery will go well so that she can pursue her dream of becoming a professional seamstress.

Rosalie is a 48-year-old mother from the Philippines. She lives with her husband and children. Her husband works as a construction worker to support their family. When Rosalie was 14 years old, she developed a cyst in her chin. Her parents brought her to a doctor to have it removed. Unfortunately, when she was 38, it reappeared. Her cyst was diagnosed as an ameloblastoma, a benign tumor of the jaw. Her condition causes her severe headaches, and it is difficult for her to eat, as the mass does not allow her to open her mouth very well. Through a health trainer, Rosalie learned about our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). On April 19, Rosalie will undergo surgery at Southern Philippines Medical Center, ICM's care center, to remove her tumor and reconstruct her chin. ICM is asking for $1,495 to cover the cost of her operation. "I am very much privileged to be a part of Watsi and be given a chance at treatment," says Rosalie. "I am overwhelmed with your generosity and your prayers."

Marvenson is a two-year-old boy who lives in the northern part of Haiti. He resides with his parents—both of whom work as fishermen—as well as his three older siblings. He enjoys playing with his siblings and dressing up to go to church. Marvenson was born with a cardiac condition called double outlet right ventricle (DORV), in which both of the heart's major arteries connect to one chamber of the heart, instead of two. This malformation can lead to heart failure and has the potential to become fatal. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to transport this toddler to his much-needed surgery. He is scheduled to undergo treatment on June 8. His mother shares, "I am a bit scared about the surgery but I know that God will protect my son and make him well!"