Meet Daudi! Daudi is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. "He is the fifth and last born in the family," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. Always curious, Daudi likes to observe and play with other children. He's very quick to pick up the activities that he see's the other children participating in, and tries to do the same. Daudi has lived with an enlarged adenoid since birth, making it hard for him to breathe, especially through his nose. The adenoid is a patch of tissue at the back of the nasal passage that catches bacteria and germs trying to enter the body. "He breathes with so much difficulty, especially at night," AMHF tells us. "it sounds as though Daudi is snoring, even when he is not asleep." Coming from a large family, there are not enough resources to pay for Daudi's operation. His mother stays at home with him and his siblings while his father cares for livestock. $488 will cover the cost of treatment for Daudi, his three day hospital stay, and the necessary antibiotics. In the operation, his enlarged adenoid will be removed through his mouth. After the operation, Daudi will be able to breathe through his nose and sleep throughout the night. "If my son could become a doctor, I will be so happy," Daudi's mother shares. "For now, I wish he could breathe without difficulty."

“I want to be treated and provide for my children until they finish college,” says 40-year-old Marivic, a mother of five from the Philippines who works as a domestic helper to support her family. “Marivic found out that there was an enlargement on her right anterior neck in 2001,” our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), tells us. In 2010, screening tests confirmed that she had an enlarged thyroid, and, ICM reports, “she was advised to continue for another diagnostic procedure and seek medical treatment, but she could not afford another medical procedure.” The thyroid is a gland in the lower neck that produces hormones to regulate the body's metabolism. An enlarged thyroid (goiter) begins as a lump or swelling at the front of the neck and can become large enough to obstruct nearby structures and cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. More than 90 percent of goiters in the Philippines are due to a deficiency of iodine, an important element in the body's production of thyroid hormones. Treatment for Marivic is a thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure in which doctors remove the thyroid gland. $1500 covers the cost of the surgery, as well as transportation to and from the hospital, 10 days of hospital care, and medication. ICM says, “After the operation, Marivic can uphold her family of five children more efficiently.” Marivic shares, “I am hopeful that there will be people who could help me with my treatment.”

84-year-old Oun lives in Cambodia with her three sons, six daughters, and 12 grandchildren. “Four years ago, Oun developed a cataract in each eye,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “This causes her blurred vision, tearing, and discharge, and she is afraid of bright sunshine. It is hard for her to see clearly, work well, or go anywhere outside.” Cataracts are cloudy growths that form on the lens of the eyes, and interfere with people's ability to focus light properly and see clearly. Over time, they can cause complete blindness. Oun and her daughter traveled two hours to reach CSC for medical assistance, after a neighbor referred her. Oun’s cloudy lenses will be removed and replaced with clear artificial lenses which will restore her vision. This treatment costs $225. “I hope my eye can see everything clearer than now,” Oun shares. “I want to help my daughter do house work, cook food, clean the house, take care of my grandchildren, and go to ceremonies at the pagoda easily.”

Judilyn is a 33-year-old woman from the Philippines. She currently experiences uncomfortable symptoms due to uterine fibroids. “She used to always participate in church activities and support her husband with the ministry,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “Judilyn also used to tend land before her condition has worsened.” ICM has diagnosed Judilyn with fibroids, or noncancerous growths, in her uterus. “Judilyn has been experiencing abnormal menstruation, accompanied by a dizziness that keeps her inactive for days,” explains ICM. With $668, Judilyn will undergo a hysterectomy, during which a surgeon will remove her uterus and ovaries. The operation will prevent Judilyn’s heavy bleeding, and as a result she will no longer feel dizzy and tired. “Judilyn looks forward to once again becoming a functional partner to her husband in the ministry,” shares ICM. Judilyn is very grateful for Watsi’s help: “Thank you for considering my needs. I believe that God will reward your love and generosity.”

Orn is a 57-year-old woman from Cambodia who enjoys planting vegetables around her home, visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray, and reading the Bible. Orn works as a rice farmer and is married with two sons, one daughter, and five grandchildren. “Two years ago Orn developed a pterygium in her left eye,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “This has caused blurred vision, a watery eye, irritation, burning, and itchiness. It is hard for Orn to see things clearly, do her work, or go outside.” A pterygium is a growth of the conjunctiva that covers the cornea. Although it is non-cancerous, it can cause extreme discomfort and the eventual loss of vision. Some other common effects of the condition include pain, light sensitivity, and foreign body sensation. For $150, Orn will undergo a low-risk, 45-minute procedure that will cure her condition. During the operation, the growth is scraped from the surface of the cornea and replaced with a graft, which covers the conjunctiva site and prevents the pterygium from returning. In just one to two weeks after the surgery, Orn will be fully recovered. "I hope I will be able to see everything better than I can now,” says Orn. “I want to be able to do my work very well and easily go outside.”

Thuon was born with cerebral palsy. As a result of her condition, she has developed contractures on her wrist and elbow. The limited function of her arm prevents her from working. Thuon likes to watch TV and sing along to pop music. She is hoping for corrective surgery so she can help her family work on their rice farm. For $300, we can provide Thuon with a left wrist fusion and tendon release treatment. This will reduce pain and restore function to her wrist and elbow, allowing her to help her family on the farm and live a more active life!

One-and-a-half-year-old Millsam is his mother’s pride and joy. While he is shy in a crowd, he loves spending time with his mother and grandmother. Millsam’s mother is raising him on her own. Millsam’s left testis hasn’t yet descended, putting him at increased risk of cancer and infertility. Millsam’s mother says, “I love my son so much. I am filled with joy whenever I think of him and I want the best for him. My wish is to see him grow up like other children and be an independent, responsible son and father.” For $1,180, we can fund orchidopexy and herniotomy procedures to lower Millsam’s testicle so that it will develop normally. Millsam’s mother works hard as a hairdresser to provide food and clothing for her son, but she cannot afford her son’s surgeries on her own. Let’s help Millsam resume normal development!

Florence is just six days old. She is the firstborn child to two loving parents. Her mother is a tailor and her father sells merchandise in a nearby trading center. The family owns a small piece of land, which they farm for home consumption. Florence has spina bifida, which causes an open mass on her back. Without surgery, Florence is likely to develop an infection, have a tethered spinal cord, and develop scoliosis. Florence's parents earn enough to cover the basic needs for their family but they have been unable to raise funds for Florence’s surgery. “I look forward to seeing my daughter’s back closed. It makes me feel so sad to see it open, and I pray we’ll get the support we need for her surgery,” her mother says. For $980, Florence will receive surgery to close the mass on her back. She will be at much less risk of developing an infection or other conditions caused by spina bifida.

Leem is a 33-year-old father of four boys from Cambodia. When he isn't hard at work as a fisherman, he enjoys spending time with his family. Leem recently broke his arm in an unfortunate motorbike accident. While he did attempt to receive help from a traditional healer, he still needs surgery to be able to use his arm again. With $300, we can rid Leem of the pain he is currently experiencing, and get him the surgery he needs to continue his active and productive lifestyle.

Four years ago, Savy fell off her bicycle and broke her hip. She was immediately brought to the hospital and had two hip operations. But even after treatment, Savy still feels severe pain and cannot walk without crutches. Savy loves growing her own vegetables and eating fish. Since her accident, Savy has been able to work a little, but she does not have a stable job or income. For $500, we can fund Savy’s hip replacement treatment and physiotherapy. Let's help Savy walk without crutches and find a stable job!