Roth is a 27-year-old noodle maker from Cambodia. Roth enjoys his job preparing noodles and loves to listen to music in his free time. Three years ago, Roth was in a motor vehicle accident that fractured his left femur and tibia. A nearby hospital fixed his fractures and amputated two of his toes. One year ago, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), performed additional procedures to heal lingering problems and infections that Roth had been experiencing with his initial fractures. Later in 2016, surgeons at CSC performed a bone graft on his left tibia. Although Roth's tibia is healed, Roth continues to experience problems with his big toe due to the partial amputation he underwent immediately following the accident. Additionally, Roth has been having difficulty walking due to the chronic pain in his foot. CSC is requesting $450 to fund a joint arthrodesis procedure for Roth, which is scheduled to take place on June 15. This procedure entails fusing together the two bones that make up the joint in Roth's aching toe in order to relieve Roth of his pain. Roth's journey to recovery has been long and, with this next procedure, he will hopefully gain the mobility needed to resume a normal life.

47-year-old Mab, a native of Cambodia, is a loving wife and the mother of three children—two sons and one daughter. When she isn’t working hard as a rice farmer, Mab enjoys talking with her children, as well as with other relatives. Mab also likes to watch Khmer films on TV. Lately, however, it has been difficult for Mab to watch any movies at all. For about two years, she has been living with a pterygium, or non-cancerous growth, in each eye. Also know as surfer’s eye, pterygia often result from long-term exposure to dust or sun. Mab’s condition causes her blurred vision, tearing, and an irritating sensation of burning in both eyes. It is difficult for her to work, or even to travel outside on her own. Fortunately, though, there is a solution. For $148, we can sponsor her pterygium removal surgery in both eyes. This sum will not only take care of the costs of Mab’s procedure on May 4, but will also cover her medications and two-day hospital stay. After her surgery, Mab’s vision will be restored—allowing her to resume her work in the rice fields and to see the faces of her children clearly for the first time in years.

Maynor is an 18-month-old baby boy from rural Guatemala. He is an agreeable and happy baby who likes to eat watermelon and play cars with his siblings. His father works as a day laborer in the fields, and his mother takes care of the household and weaves to bring in extra income. Maynor currently has acute malnutrition. He previously received Watsi funding to treat his condition and was growing well until he became sick and lost weight during his illness. As a result, Maynor needs more robust intervention. In the short term, malnutrition means Maynor has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. This leaves him vulnerable to illness that could further compromise his growth. If Maynor's acute malnutrition continues to go untreated, he will also face long-term consequences, such as an increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is asking for $837 to fund growth monitoring, micronutrient treatment, and food supplementation to help Maynor recover. Additionally, this funding will enable community health workers to teach Maynor's mother how to create a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Maynor's mother says, "Now I am grateful to the organization for the support that you bring and and for looking out for the children with malnutrition."

Joella is a seven-month-old girl from the central Philippines. She lives with her parents in a bamboo house. She loves learning about the world around her, playing with anything she can reach. Joella has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. She has thin arms and legs, and her mother in concerned for her health. "I hope her weight becomes normal," her mother says. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $268 to cover the cost of an in-home feeding program to treat Joella's malnutrition. This will pay for nutrient-enriched food packs, weekly visits from medical staff, and health education for family members. Joella is scheduled to begin treatment on February 23.

Nob is a 75-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married with three sons, one daughter, and ten grandchildren. She likes to meditate and worship at the mosque in her free time. About three years ago, Nob developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her partial blindness, burning, irritation, and cloudy lenses. Because of her eye condition, she has difficulty seeing clearly, which impacts her independence and ability to do work. Nob learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), from her neighbor. She traveled for three hours with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment. On March 27, Nob will undergo small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and intraocular lens implantation of her left eye. After recovery, Nob will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $153 to fund this procedure.

Samun is a 33-year-old married salesperson who enjoys planting vegetables and exercising. He also likes watching boxing, soccer, and movies. Samun has developed a cataract in each eye. The cataracts have caused him blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia (light sensitivity), all of which make it hard for Samun to work. On February 15, Samun will undergo a cataract surgery. After a procedure to remove the cataracts and insert artificial lenses, Samun will be able to see clearly again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $292 to fund the necessary equipment and procedure.

Meet Mackline, a mother from Uganda. She visited our medical partner's hospital, Bwindi Community Hospital, when she was pregnant. Mackline's first child was delivered through C-section, so her doctors considered her second pregnancy to be risky. On November 27, she checked into the hospital to await delivery and undergo another C-section. Mackline and her husband, Michael, are subsistence farmers who grow maize, beans, millet, and sorghum. They feed their family and sell the surplus food for income. Their child is three years and will be enrolling in school next year. During her free time, Mackline likes to visit other women in her community and weave baskets to sell. Mackline is looking forward to raising her children and giving them an education. “I thank the people that are supporting me to have a safe delivery," says Mackline. "I was just waiting in the hostel and worried about the delivery. May God bless the donors."

Meet Alinda, a playful 11-month old child who lives in Uganda with his mother and grandparents. His mother dropped out of school and now works as a farm laborer to support the family. When Alinda was two months old, he developed a swelling in his right inguinal region. His mother was unable to afford proper medical treatment, so she turned to traditional medicines. Unfortunately Alinda's condition did not improve. Recently, Alinda's pain intensified. When his mother finally brought him to the hospital, he was diagnosed with an inguinal scrotal hernia, a protrusion of intestinal tissue through the abdominal wall. On November 30, he underwent a hernia repair surgery. During the operation, doctors repositioned the protruding tissue and repaired the tear in his abdominal wall. Alinda's mother is unable to pay for her child's surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Alinda's operation. After Alinda's recovery, his mother plans to enroll back in school so she can work toward a better future for her son. "I will work very hard to become a nursery school teacher," she shares.

Godber is an energetic six-year-old boy. He likes going to school and playing with his classmates. He also enjoys playing with his siblings and running around his neighborhood. Godber developed a painful inguinal hernia that prevented him from going to school. Fortunately, he underwent a hernia repair surgery on November 4. Godber's parents, Caleb and Justine, are small farmers who grow maize, onions, bananas, and tea. His father is a leader in the local government. In her free time, his mother volunteers for the village health team, providing health education for community members. His parents use most of their income to pay the school fees for their four children. Though they have contributed $4, they need help to raise the $229 required to pay Godber's medical bill. “I wish to thank everyone that is coming to our rescue and helping contribute to the treatment costs,” says his mother.

Juana is 70 years old and lives with her family in a humble home made of adobe and tin. Her family owns a small store that sells tortillas and snacks, which is their primary income. Unfortunately, with several small grandchildren and a growing family, this is not enough to pay for even basic food and water sometimes, let alone high-quality medical care or the travel required to get from her rural village to the hospital. Juana has been suffering from type-two diabetes and high blood pressure for many years without being able to take medication. This has caused her to develop cataracts in her eyes, making her nearly blind. This has made it hard for her to do what she loves most, playing with her grandchildren and weaving traditional Maya textiles. If she does not receive treatment, she could become totally blind and require assistance in all her daily activities, severely limiting her independence. $1,500 will cover the costs of the surgery to remove Juana's cataracts, as well as all post-operative care. This treatment will allow Juana to see clearly for the first time in nearly a decade. She will be able to play with her grandchildren, weave, and do daily activities without assistance.

Meet Blessing, an adorable baby girl born to loving parents in Kenya. Her mother is a housewife while her father works in a hardware store. Ever since she was born, Blessing has had a series of health complications. Born with a mass swell on her lower back, Blessing underwent surgery which repaired her back two weeks after birth. A few weeks later, Blessing developed an infection and was readmitted in hospital for care. Just as she was getting better, the doctor diagnosed her to have hydrocephalus, a condition where one is found to have excess fluid in her skull. This condition is associated with a progressive increase in head circumference, headaches, and irritability. The resulting increased intracranial pressure can lead to brain stem compression. All the while, Blessing’s parents have been looking for financial support from family and friends, so that Blessing can receive the treatment she needs. Her parents are now in a dilemma as they are not in a position to raise the funds required for surgical care, let alone repay the debts. Watsi's medical partner will provide the surgery she needs to divert the excess fluid from her brain to her abdomen. The excess cerebrospinal fluid will then be drained and can relieve the overwhelming pressure on her swelling brain. In tears, Blessing's mother shared: "Blessing has spent most of her life in the hospital. We have incurred so much debt and we are not even close to clearing any of it. Watsi will be life saving."

Sothy is a 45-year-old woman who is married with two sons and one daughter. One year ago, Sothy developed a cataract in each eye. Cataracts occur due to age-related changes in the eyes. The lenses become cloudy, causing functional blindness among other symptoms. Sothy experiences blurred vision and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). She can't see clearly, do work well, or go outside on her own. To reach Wasti's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Sothy traveled for 10 hours with her daughter. After a phaco procedure and an intraocular lens (IOL) implant in each eye, Sothy will be able to see clearly again. The phaco procedure will remove the cloudy lenses, and replace them with clear, IOL implants. The procedure and three days in the hospital will cost $225. In her free time, Sothy enjoys watching Thai dramas on TV and helping her children sell goods and coffee to make money. "I hope I can see clearly so I can continue to help my children sell goods," Sothy tells us of her hopes for after surgery.