Isaya is a cheerful 10-year-old from Tanzania. Curious and sociable, he enjoys making conversation and quickly builds rapport with those around him. During his time at our medical partner's care center, Isaya kept up an animated dialogue, showing his natural ease with people. At home, Isaya lives in a large extended family. His father, who has three wives and over fifteen children, provides for the family through livestock keeping and farming. They live communally and share responsibilities, but quality medical care is inaccessible without a stable income. Isaya has clubfoot on the left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. The tissues connecting the muscle to the bones are shorter than usual, and this causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. For Isaya, the condition causes him pain and limits his ability to walk and participate in social, school, and community activities. Fortunately, Isaya's family traveled to our medical partner's care center, where surgeons will begin clubfoot treatment on May 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,119 to fund Isaya's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk comfortably and enjoy a more active childhood. Isaya said, "I am grateful knowing I won't have to live with this defect for the rest of my life."

Simon is a six-year-old boy from Bolivia. He lives with his aunt and his five older siblings, as his mom sadly passed away giving birth to him. When Simon was small, doctors noted a heart murmur and explained that it may resolve itself over time. Unfortunately, it didn't, and doctors determined that it can only be treated with an open heart surgery. Simon has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 16th, Simon will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Simon's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Simon's aunt shared, "I am very hopeful that my nephew's health will be much better after this surgery!"

John is a 35-year-old father of one from Cambodia. He lives with his 5-year-old daughter and his wife in Kampong Speu province. His wife works as a garment factory worker, and his daughter is in pre-school. John used to work as a server at a Chinese restaurant. In his free time, he enjoys caring for and playing with his daughter at home. In May 2024, John fell while working at the restaurant. Initially, he experienced mild pain in his right hip, but over time, the pain worsened significantly. By October 2024, the pain had become so intense that he could no longer walk. He has been unable to work and has been using a wheelchair for the past six months. The pain in his hip is severe, and he has also noticed muscle wasting in his legs because he is not able to move them as much. Fortunately, John learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve John of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for March 18th. John can contribute $100 but needs help to raise $1,018 more to fund his procedure and care. John's wife shared: "I hope the doctors can fix his hip and he will be free from pain. He wants to work again to support our family."

Reign is an active and playful baby boy from Kenya. He is the only son of his single mother. Reign was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition where both his feet are twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. He started serial casting immediately after birth but his condition did not improve. Reign was brought to our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital, for further treatment. He is currently undergoing serial casting in preparation for surgery. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 14th and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Reign's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to stand on his own, walk upright, live an independent life, and enroll in school. Reign's mother shared, "I am grateful to the donor for their willingness to help. I pray that they may continue with the same heart of helping needy children, and God bless them."

Teylor is an eight-year-old girl from Bolivia. Her mother works as a waitress and her father works in construction. Teylor is an only child. She is in second grade and loves to paint. Teylor has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus where a hole exists between two major blood vessels near her heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. On January 15th, she will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will close the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Teylor's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Teylor's mother said, "Teylor is a happy girl but she gets tired easily. We know this surgery will make her feel much better so she can enjoy life!"

Aye is a 41-year-old woman from Burma who has two sons and a daughter. She used to run a dry goods shop but had to close it three months ago due to her deteriorating health condition. Her eldest son works at a motorcycle tire shop. Her two other children are students. Aye enjoys watching the news and reading religious books during her free time. Aye began to experience neck and lower back pain in March 2023. At that time, she managed the pain with painkillers, which provided temporary relief. By June 2024, her neck pain had worsened and was accompanied by numbness and tingling sensations. In August 2024, Aye's neck pain worsened, and she went to the hospital in Thailand, where a medic later referred her to our medical partner's hospital. She received an MRI and was diagnosed with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and radiculopathy. She needs to undergo surgery to remove a part or all of the disk that is putting pressure on the nerve and have an internal fixator inserted. Currently, Aye continues to experience severe neck pain, numbness, and tingling sensation. She sometimes has insomnia due to the pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), can help. On December 12th, Aye will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Aye be free from pain and give her the ability to go back to work and support her children again. Aye said, "Thank you [BCMF and donors] for your help. I am so glad to receive your support."

Esther is a 14-month-old baby girl from northern Bolivia and lives with her mom, a former baker, and her dad, a welder. She loves playing with her mom and brings joy to everyone around her. Esther was born with a heart condition that caused a hole in her heart and a muscle blockage near one of her heart valves. This condition prevents Esther from getting the oxygen that she needs. Fortunately, on November 13th, she will undergo life-saving heart surgery. Esther's family needs help to cover the costs of her surgery and care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to fund the necessary heart exams, diagnostics, surgery, follow-up care, and medications for Esther. Once completed, the hole in Esther's heart will be repaired and the blockage removed, allowing her blood to flow more freely and giving her a healthier future. Esther's mom shared, "We were looking for help everywhere because there are no pediatric cardiologists where we live, and now finally my child will have her surgery! We are truly grateful to all the people who are helping our little daughter."

55-year-old Bernie is a hardworking custodian, who also repairs appliances to support his family. His wife Meraflor occasionally launders clothes to supplement their income. The family lives with their two sons in the Philippines. Two months ago, Bernie began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe stomach pain and difficulty breathing. He underwent surgery in September, but is presently still experiencing jaundice, which propelled him to seek a second medical opinion. After the consultation, he was advised to have his gallbladder removed. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen, and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. Frequent trips to the hospital for consultations, lab tests, and surgery have taken a significant toll on Bernie's family. Meraflor has been struggling with depression during this difficult time, while their eldest child has found it hard to concentrate on job applications because of his caregiving duties. Meanwhile, their younger son has put his education on hold to help take care of Bernie. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Bernie receive treatment. On October 18th, he is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being funded by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128, to cover the cost of Bernie's surgery and care. Bernie says: "The possibility of supported surgery treatment will greatly relieve me and my family, allowing us to save for our children's education and other essential expenses. I am truly grateful for this opportunity. Thank you all very much."

Shwe is a 55-year-old father of two from Thailand. He lives with his wife and two daughters. He and his wife work on a farm and their daughters attend school. In his free time, Shwe enjoys reading the Bible. Since 2013, Shwe has been suffering from intense back pain. A CT scan revealed that he has bilateral renal stones. In February 2024, he underwent surgery to remove the stone in his left kidney. However, physicians at our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakron Chiang Mai Hospital, determined that Shwe should undergo percutaneous nephrolithotomy, a procedure that removes kidney stones from the body when they cannot pass on their own. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 16th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve Shwe's quality of life. Shwe said, “I feel very happy and thankful to Watsi for supporting my treatment. Without your help, I wouldn’t have been able to receive the necessary medical care. Once I fully recover, I plan to find a job and save money to support my family.”

Dennis, a 17-year-old student from Kiambu County in Kenya, faced unimaginable tragedy at a tender age. In 2011, his mother fell gravely ill. One night, a candle left burning in their home went out of control, setting the house ablaze. With his mother too sick to save him, Dennis was trapped in the fire. Tragically, his mother lost her life, leaving Dennis an orphan. Though he was rescued, Dennis suffered severe burns on his head, face, hands, and body. With no one left to care for him, he ended up on the streets, which hindered the healing of his wounds. In 2012, hope arrived when a children's home took Dennis in, providing him with food, clothing, shelter, and education. However, the scars from his injuries made him a target for teasing by his classmates, which deeply affected his self-esteem. In 2016, Dennis’s journey to recovery began at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. He underwent a series of surgeries to treat his forehead, cheeks, face, and nose. By 2018, a surgery successfully opened one of his blocked nostrils, greatly improving his ability to breathe. For a while, Dennis enjoyed a sense of normalcy and the joy of playing with other children. However, after six years of relying on a single nostril to breathe, it became increasingly ineffective. Dennis now struggles with breathing and requires constant monitoring at night to prevent suffocation. During a visit to the hospital this year, doctors recommended surgery to create a new nostril and enhance his breathing. Unfortunately, the children's home cannot afford the cost of this essential surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Dennis receive treatment. On August 12th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help him breathe properly and alleviate the fears he experiences due to his condition. Now, Dennis needs help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Dennis says, “I want to be an engineer in the future and build beautiful houses.”

Gladys is a retiree from Malawi. She is married and a mother of five. Her husband is also retired. Gladys likes reading the bible and enjoys eating nsima, a local porridge, served with vegetables. Seventeen years ago, Gladys began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling on the left side of her neck that was not painful. Later as time passed, the swelling started growing and became visible. In January this year, Gladys started experiencing some neck pains especially when carrying items on her head. She never visited the hospital as she thought the problem was small. Gladys was referred to our medical partner's care center and was diagnosed with a goiter, which is an enlargement of the thyroid gland. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Gladys receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 9th where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,015 and she and her family need help raising money. Gladys said, “I am looking forward to becoming healthier and stronger after surgery.”

Rose is a 35-year-old woman from Haiti. She lives with her mother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Before becoming too sick, she worked at a clothing manufacturer. Rose has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation, where one of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered earlier in life. As a result, her heart cannot adequately pump blood through her body and is beginning to fail. Rose will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On June 20th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove Rose's damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $20,000 to pay for surgery. Rose's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. It also supports obtaining travel documents for the social workers who will accompany Rose's family overseas. Rose shares, "I am excited to get this surgery done so that I can focus on my future instead of on my heart problem."