Sarim is a 45-year-old wife, mother, and grandmother from Cambodia who farms rice and watermelon. In her free time, she enjoys watching television and listening to the radio. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Center (CSC), tells us, “Sarim got into an accident with a cow cart and fractured her right femur. It is painful and she cannot walk.” "I can't work on the farm and make money for my family,” shares Sarim. “My husband can't work because he spends time taking care of me." For $405, Sarim will have a surgical procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation to reposition and set her broken femur so that it can heal properly. Funding also covers the cost of a two-week hospital stay, five days of post-operative care (including physiotherapy), and six follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. After surgery, “Sarim’s fractured femur will be healed,” and she will be able “to walk again without pain,” says CSC. "I hope after the operation, I can walk normally again and can go back to earn money to support my family,” shares Sarim.

Htun is a 28-year-old graphic designer from Burma who came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), seeking treatment for serious heart conditions. “Htun first noticed his symptoms when he was 25,” BBP tells us. “They included persistent chest pain and heart palpitations, forcing him to visit a hospital.” At the hospital, Htun was diagnosed with congenital heart defects, rheumatic heart disease, and an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Rheumatic heart disease—the most common acquired heart disease in children in developing countries—results from a streptococcal (strep) infection that leads to rheumatic fever and, ultimately, to damaged heart valves. The combination of the valve damage in Htun’s heart and his congenital heart defects compromises the flow of blood through his heart and to his body’s organs. Further complicating Htun’s health is an abdominal aortic aneurysm, a balloon-like, blood-filled bulge in the lower aorta. Because the aorta is the primary supplier of blood to the body, rupture of the aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Htun, unable to afford medical care to address these conditions, continued working until he contracted a malarial-like fever. He was hospitalized for a month and ultimately returned to his parents home. Htun’s current symptoms—shortness of breath, chest pain, cough, and fatigue—prevent him from working. As a result, he is no longer able to provide financial support for his parents, who work as subsistence farmers, or pay for the care that he urgently needs. With $1,500 from Watsi and an additional $13,525 from Burma Children Medical Fund, Htun will receive a complete diagnostic workup to assess his heart function and undergo surgery to replace the damaged heart valves. Funding also covers the cost of 12 pre- and post-operative consultations, transportation to and from the hospital, and three weeks of hospital care during assessment and recovery. “After Htun recovers from surgery,” says BBP, “he will be able to look for a new job, support his parents, and continue to plan for his future.” “I want a family, I want to go back to work, I want to help my parents, and I want to be healthy again,” shares Htun.

"11-year-old Veronicah was born at home with a cystic mass on her back. To her mother it never occurred to be anything of concern. When Veronica, the third born in a family of four children, attained the age of four years, she walked with a little limp that caught the attention of many around her," says our medical partner in Kenya, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Friends advised her parents to seek for specialized treatment which they did, and later on advised to get a scan for her back. It took years but Veronica’s parents’ still could not raise the entire amount needed for the scan," AMHF continues. "Lucky enough, they were allowed a scan with the little they had raised from a hospital near their home. The scan was revealed that they would require more finances for Veronicah to have a surgery." The mass is a condition called spina bifida, and Veronicah is at a risk of getting infections on her exposed nerves. She is also at a risk of lower limbs paralysis. For $805, Veronicah will receive a spina bifida closure procedure. "Veronicah’s treatment will keep her from the risk of infections, and further loss of muscle function on her legs," AMHF says. “Lack of knowledge and finances is a terrible thing. I am afraid that my daughter will become disabled- that thought alone scares me but I am hopeful that she will be well,” says Veronicah’s mother. “Some schoolmates mimic my walking, but I know I will walk well one day," Veronicah adds.