Jalen is a lively 6-month-old baby who was born with an anorectal malformation. Over the last six months, he has had three surgeries for his condition and now a PSARP surgery is needed as a final stage. The surgery will allow Jalen to be able to pass stool normally. Jalen’s past three surgeries were funded by the national health insurance system (NHIF), but he has now exhausted the maximum surgical package the insurance offers. His parents are not able to meet the cost of surgery. Jalen’s father is a peasant farmer while his mom a housewife. She recently completed college and is yet to secure a job. Jalen has a 7-year-old sibling and their family lives together in a rented house. Their reliance on seasonal farming limits their income level, leaving too little to meet the cost of surgery. Jalen’s mother says, “My hope is to see Jalen recovering and leading a normal life like any other child.”

Monica is a first grader at Mapema primary school in Kenya. She is the oldest in a family of 2 children. Her family hails from Kimahuri village in Nyeri County. Her mother is a single parent and she washes clothes and does garden work for the neighbors to support her family. Monica has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Monica traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Monica's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. “My joy would be to see Monica undergoing for surgery. The little I get is not enough even to cater for my bills at home. I would kindly request for support,” Monica’s mother told us.

John is a 3 year old child from Kenya. The family of two children lives in a single-rental house in Mlolongo-Nairobi. His mother sells omena (small silvery sardine-like fish that affords the same nutritious advantages) while his father is employed casually as a welder. He earns an average income of $2 a day. John was born with Hypospadias and Anorectal Malformation (he could not pass stool on his own). By September 2017, he had gone through the three stages of the anal rectal malformation correction surgeries and he made a full recovery. This was made possible through funding by Watsi supporters. Around August 2018, John had the first stage hypospadias repair and this was funded by the national health insurance fund. A second stage hypospadias repair is now required, but his family does not have the means for paying. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, John is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “It is embarrassing to seek help from the same people. Please find a way to help us once again,” says John’s mother.

Dalin is a third grade student from Cambodia. She enjoys reading books and playing with her two sisters. When she was five years old, Dalin had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Dalin experiences hearing loss, discharge, infection, and headaches. She frequently has difficulty focusing in class and has trouble communicating with others. She has undergone five days of antibiotic injections in her ear to attempt to clear the infection prior to operation, and now requires surgery. Dalin traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 13th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that my daughter's ear issue will be resolved and that I won't have to worry about her anymore." -Dalin's Mother

Isaya is a nine-year-old student from Tanzania and the fourth born in a family of six children. He is active and friendly. He struggles with walking due to a bilateral clubfoot condition. Due to his condition, Isaya was not able to join the school at the appropriate time. His parents fear him being discriminated. He requires treatment but the parents are not able to raise funds needed. They rely on subsistence farming in the village. Their harvest is not sufficient for the planned surgery. With successful surgery, Isaya will be able to walk with ease. The family appeals for help. Fortunately, Isaya traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Isaya's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Isaya's father says, “If there is a chance for my son to have his legs corrected to make them normal please help him he is struggling so much and we don’t have the money to afford this kind of treatment.”

Ngwe is a 46-year-old from Burma. She lives with her husband and 16-year-old son in Winkabar Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State. Her son studies in grade 6 while her husband works as a day labour tapping rubber trees. Ngwe stopped working three years ago because of her health problems. Ngwe was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ngwe feels tired and sometimes she has heart palpitation when she is active. She cannot walk long distances. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ngwe. The treatment is scheduled to take place on October 31st and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. “When I recover fully, I want to meditate [at the temple]. I also want to help out with household chores and make merit through various activities,” said Ngwe.

Daniel is car wash attendant from Kenya. Daniel’s wife left with their two children in 2002 when he developed the leg ulcer and could barely provide for the family. He now stays alone in a one-room rental house in Central Kenya. In 2017, Daniel was diagnosed with venous leg ulcer at Kijabe hospital after struggling for over 15 years to find the cause for the leg swelling. Daniel walks with a limp and is in pain and discomfort. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Daniel receive treatment. On October 08, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him walk easily again. Now, Daniel needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. “I at times wonder whether God forgot about me. Please help me get an admission,” says Daniel.

Thu is a 27-year-old man who lives in Dala Town, Yangon Division, Burma. He lives with his 25-year-old wife, who take care of their five-year-old daughter who goes to kindergarten. Thu works as a security guard in a tower in Yangon. His total income is just enough to cover all their general expenses, such as food and clothing, as well as pay for his daughter’s school fees. Five years ago, Thu started to experience chest pains while he ate lunch. He continued to suffer from chest pains but he worked through the pain until June 1, 2019, when he suddenly developed severe back pain. He was brought to Yangon General Hospital (YGH) and was admitted for 13 days. While he was admitted, he received a blood test, chest X-ray and an injection to help alleviate the pain. When doctor listened to his chest with a stethoscope, Thu was advised to receive an echocardiogram (echo). After he received the echo on June 16th, the result showed that he has aortic regurgitation, a heart condition caused by problems with the aortic valve. Currently, Thu is suffering from chest pains. He has had to temporarily stop working. Thu is looking forward to receiving surgery soon and getting back to work so that he can continue to support his family.

Muntha is an 80-year-old mother of four from Cambodia. She has fifteen grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the radio, watching Khmer movies on television, and looking after her grandchildren. One year ago, Muntha developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Muntha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On August 7, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that my surgery will allow me to see again and be able to take care of my grandchildren."

John is a young man from Kenya. In June, he was hit by a motorbike and sustained injuries on his right leg. He is in chronic pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 2, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.