Aziza is a student from Tanzania. She is the oldest child in a family of three children. She has a swelling on her left thigh that keeps growing each day, and she has been complaining of pain. Aziza traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 7, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Aziza needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Aziza’s father says, “Please help my daughter get her treatment we are not able to afford her treatment cost.”

Srey Nuon is a teenager from Cambodia. Her favorite subjects to study in school are chemistry and math, and one day she hopes to become a chemistry teacher. Srey Nuon was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult to sit in school for long periods, and causing a lot of discomfort. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Fortunately, spinal surgery has been scheduled for March 11. Our medical partner needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. Srey Nuon says, "I hope that after my surgery I will no longer have any pain and I will be able to take care of myself and sleep better."

Aye is a seven-year-old girl from Burma. She is a first grade student, and she lives with her grandmother, aunt, uncle and four cousins while her parents work in Bangkok, Thailand. Aye was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in her brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, she is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Aye, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in her brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 28, and, once completed, will greatly improve Aye's quality of life.

Jhon Carlos ten years old and lives in Bani, in the southern part of the Dominican Republic, with his parents and two older sisters. He is a sixth grader and an aspiring engineer. His favorite subject is math. Jhon Carlos was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, which means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because the hole allows blood to leak through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, Jhon Carlos's condition causes him to feel weak and out of breath. Jhon Carlos is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 16 at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral, in Haiti. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a hospital stay, cardiac exams, cardiac medication, and post-surgery support for Jhon Carlos and his family. The $8,500 procedure will be subsidized by Gift of Life International. Jhon Carlos says, "I am excited for my surgery to be over so I can focus on studying and playing with my friends."

Lemjini is a curious young boy from a pastoralist community in Tanzania. At only six years of age, he is the eldest of his two siblings. Lemjini is currently unable to attend school or assist his family with raising livestock due to an orthopedic condition. Lemjini has a condition known as genu valgus, or knock knees. This condition causes Lemjini's knees to angle inward while his lower legs angle outward. He was diagnosed at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). Walking has become difficult and painful for Lemjini. If left untreated, his condition will continue to worsen. Doctors at ALMC have recommended corrective surgery to repair his legs and allow for normal growth and development. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $940 for his procedure on February 22. Lemjini says, “I pray for my legs to be straight, and to be able to walk like the rest my family.”

Try is a 68-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. To support his family, he and and his wife sell desserts. When not working, Try likes to watching TV. About two years ago, Try developed a cataract in each of his eyes, causing him blurred vision and discomfort. It is difficult for him to see things clearly and go places on his own. On March 13, Try will undergo intraocular lens implant surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $292 to cover the cost of his surgery. After treatment, Try will be able to see clearly again!

Margret is a 53-year-old grandmother from Uganda. She is a widow, but she raised nine children with her husband, all of whom are now married with families of their own. Margret works as a farmer growing millet, potatoes, maize, and other crops. Two years ago, Margret was involved in a motorcycle accident that left her with a fractured shoulder. It healed improperly, and she now needs reduction surgery to fix it. On March 27, Margret will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is asking for $496 to cover the cost of her operation. Margret is looking forward to regaining her full independence after surgery and spending lots of time with her grandchildren. “I thank all the donors for their help," says Margret. "I pray that God blesses them in all that they do."

Hoeun is 75 years old and married with two sons, two daughters, and thirteen grandchildren. She likes to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. One year ago, Hoeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing her vision loss, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, and go anywhere on her own. Hoeun knew about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), because her neighbor had surgery there before. She traveled for three hours with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment. She will be receiving treatment on February 3. After a small incision cataract surgery and intraocular lens implant in each eye, Hoeun will be able to see clearly again. However, her family cannot afford the treatment, so CSC is requesting $292 to help fund her procedure. Hoeun says, "I hope to be able to see more clearly than now so that I can help my daughter cook, clean, and take care of my grandchildren. I want to go to the pagoda easily and join ceremonies by myself."

Meet Tabitha, a single mother of two children who lives with her cousin in Kenya. Tabitha washes clothes for a living. In November of 2016, during a routine screening, doctors discovered Tabitha had some abnormal cells in her cervix. She had a biopsy done in December. After the biopsy, doctors recommended she undergo surgery to remove the abnormal cells, which can be a precursor to cervical cancer. Without treatment, Tabitha is at risk developing cancer. Fortunately, Tabitha is scheduled to undergo surgery on January 12. She cannot afford healthcare, so she is asking for help to fund this $156 procedure. Tabitha says, “I want to be treated to avoid getting cancer of the uterus."

Ma Cho, a 53-year-old Burmese woman, moved to Thailand eight years ago in search of better job opportunities. Recently, she was referred to our medical partner for an investigative CT scan. A few months ago, Ma Cho began to experience abnormal symptoms. By September, she was experiencing heavy bleeding, pain, and dizziness. Ma Cho found herself constantly tired and had difficulty sleeping. A local midwife diagnosed her with an infection and gave her medication to treat the pain. However, her symptoms did not improve. At the local hospital, Ma Cho underwent a pap smear, a ECG, an x-ray, and blood and urine tests. Unfortunately, the pap smear showed evidence of cervical cancer. On October 26, she underwent a CT (computerized tomography) scan to gather more information. Ma Cho's family, especially her daughter, is very concerned about her health. However, they are very encouraging and supportive. Her sons live at home and work as day laborers, but they cannot afford to pay for their mother's $414 CT scan. "I am looking forward to feeling better, so I can take care of my house and my grandchildren again," says Ma Cho. "I love playing with them and making sure they are safe. I also want to go to the monastery to pray and meditate on the future."

Yang is a 64-year-old married woman from Cambodia. She enjoys spending her days listening to the radio and hearing the monks pray. She recently traveled three hours with her niece to reach Watsi’s medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, for treatment of cataracts. A cataract occurs when there is a buildup of proteins in the lens of the eye. This causes the lens to become cloudy, disrupting the passage of light through the lens and impairing vision. Most cataracts are due to age-related changes in the eye and account for 50 percent of all cases of blindness worldwide. Formation typically occurs in both eyes. Yang developed a cataract in each eye three years ago. As a result, she experiences blurred vision, tearing, and itching, and she cannot recognize faces or get around easily on her own. For $292, Yang will undergo small incision cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lenses from her eyes and replace them with intraocular lens implants. Funding for her treatment also includes two days of hospital care, eye drops and ointments, medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection, and one post-operative consultation. After surgery, Yang will be able to see clearly again