Saw resides in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma Border with his wife, two daughters, and son-in-law. His wife is a homemaker, and Saw stopped working as a day laborer due to his worsening health. He is proud of his family: One of his daughters is a student, the other is a pharmacist, and his son-in-law is a medic at the camp's hospital. He likes to forage for vegetables in his free time. Saw has been diagnosed with a right irreducible inguinal hernia and is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery in October. This surgery is essential to relieve his pain and discomfort and improve his overall quality of life. Saw said, “I want this discomfort and pain to disappear. I cannot do anything because of the pain. I hope that after surgery, I will be able to have a normal life again and will no longer be in any discomfort.”

Saroeun is a 51-year-old mother who lives in Banteay Meanchey province with her husband and two daughters. Her husband is a rice farmer, and she is a homemaker. Her oldest daughter is married, and her youngest daughter is in school in the10th grade. She spends most of her day keeping the house clean and cooking for the family. In her early years, Saroeun suffered from scoliosis. As a child, she fractured her left femur and has had recurrent wound infections on her left thigh ever since. Recently she was treated for tuberculosis. Her recurrent wound infection has been diagnosed as osteomyelitis, a serious infection of the bone. For several months, she has been experiencing pain, swelling, and discharge from the wound. When Saroeun learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 19th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove damaged and infected tissue from the wound and culture the tissue. Saroeun is able to contribute $50 and needs help raising $324 to fully fund the procedure. She said, "I hope my leg will finally get better and I can feel healthy again to care for my family."

Susan is a soft-spoken woman from Kenya. She is a widow and a mother of six children who are now all adults. She currently resides in her ancestral home in Limuru, Kenya. For four months, Susan has been experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition that impacts her quality of life. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Susan's national health insurance coverage has not been active, and despite reactivation, she will have to wait for more than 60 days before using it. However, she is unable to continue living with her condition as is and urgently needs to undergo her procedure to rid her body of the risk of cancer. Her family cannot afford her treatment and is appealing for financial assistance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1260 to fund Susan's surgery. On June 1st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Susan will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Susan says, “I am old and need to get treatment for this bleeding condition. It is very uncomfortable.”

Teodoro is a hardworking man from the Philippines. He has nine children, six of which have their own families, and the youngest three currently live with him and his wife. He works as a part-time construction worker to make ends meet. Over the years, he experienced pain but never sought a medical checkup due to financial constraints. Unfortunately, his condition seems to have worsened in January, as he could feel a lump in his right groin. Despite his worries about their finances, he went to the hospital. Teodoro was diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort, limiting his physical movements. Fortunately, on April 28th, Teodoro will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Teodoro's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner needs help raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Teodoro is very grateful for the medical support that he'll receive. He shared, "Thank you, Watsi and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines! This free surgery is a big help for me and my family. Through you, I'll get the treatment that I needed. Thank you for giving me a second chance to live."

Joseph is a 37-year-old, hard working man. He is married and a father of two children aged 7 and 2 years old. Joseph does casual work at construction sites, while his wife takes care of their young children. Unfortunately, on Friday, 24th March, as he was going home from work, Joseph was hit by a hit-and-run motorcyclist. An X-ray confirmed that he was injured on the right side of the body and sustained a closed fracture of his right humerus (upper arm bone). Joseph is in pain, and is unable to use his hand for work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On April 6th, Joseph will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will heal, no longer be in pain and can resume working. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Joseph lamented, “I am the only breadwinner of my family; they are all dependent on me. I am begging for help so that soon I can be well to continue supporting my family.”

Samson is a widower and father of a 9-year-old child. He works as a laborer at a garage washing cars to support himself and his child. A few years ago, Samson started experiencing epigastric pain and discomfort, and could not keep down his food. He has sought treatment at other hospitals before, but to no avail. A few weeks ago, Samson's condition worsened and his brother helped him seek care with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Doctors there conducted an endoscopy and found that the cause of Samson's symptoms was gastric obstruction due to pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. If left untreated, Samson will continue to experience pain. His symptoms may also worsen, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and an overall decreased quality of life. Surgeons have recommended a laparotomy to treat Samson's condition. Fortunately, Samson is scheduled for surgery on March 13th with the help of African Mission Healthcare. Samson needs help raising $788 to fund the cost of his procedure. After surgery, not only will Samson's quality of life improve, but he will also be able to care for himself and his child. “I have been unable to care for myself and my child, becoming a burden to my family. The pain is also too much and I am afraid my wife went through the same and died. I plead for support so that I may be treated and get back to my normal life. I am also the only hope of my child,” said Samson.

Deylove is a five month old girl from Haiti. She lives with her mom and dad and 2 older brothers. Deylove has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Deylove has been experiencing Increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Deylove will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Deylove at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on March 2nd. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Deylove's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Deylove will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her family is relieved and happy that this surgery will give their little girl a chance of survival.

Thin is a 20-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives with his mother, father, and older brother in Kampong Thom province. When he is not in the rice paddies, he likes to play volleyball with his friends. A week ago, Thin suffered an injury to his left forearm from a rice harvest. He went to a local clinic for wound care but was still in pain. At the suggestion of a villager, the family drove three and a half hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for further care. Doctors at CSC diagnosed Thin with compartment syndrome in his injured forearm. This is a condition that occurs when pressure within the damaged muscles builds to dangerous levels. This puts pressure on nerves and muscles. This can be very traumatizing for a young man. Thin is in pain, cannot move his arm, and there is no pulse on that extremity. Although doctors hoped to save his arm, it was determined that he needs an amputation. The cost of this procedure is $479, and Thin and his family need help to raise the fund. Thin hopes to be relieved of his pain after the surgery. Thin's mother said, "We are worried about our son, and hope after the surgery his pain will be less."

Marion is a 6-year-old student from the highlands of Elgeyo Marakwet county in Kenya. She is the second born in a family of three girls and currently attending preschool near her family home. Her parents are small-scale potato farmers. One day Marion's mother went to the river to fetch water. While she was gone, her children were sitting near an open fireplace at home making breakfast. Unfortunately, Marion's dress caught fire on the open flame, and as a result, she sustained severe burns on her back, abdomen and thighs. It has been difficult for her to walk, and the wounds are causing extreme discomfort. She especially needs a third surgery to treat the severity of her burns contractures. Despite Marion's parents having medical insurance, due to previous surgeries that she has had to treat the injuries, the insurance (a monthly subscription) has run its course and is no longer an option. Her parents do not have the funds to pay for Marion's surgery and need support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Marion receive treatment. On January 25th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery that will allow her to walk with greater ease and resume her normal life at home and school. Now, she and her family are requesting $1,478 to help fund this procedure. Marion's mother says, “I am really looking forward to seeing my daughter live and walk in a normal way. I worked hard to pay for insurance coverage, but unfortunately, it cannot fund the upcoming procedure. I am disappointed, but I will not lose hope. Kindly help her.”

Dany is a 41-year-old shop owner from Cambodia. She lives with her father, a retired rice farmer, and her older sister. Dany and her sister run a small shop near their house selling snacks, candy, local spices, and toys. Her favorite pastime is traveling to other provinces in Cambodia to visit her extended family and see the countryside. In November 2022, Dany was standing on a chair in her shop when she fell and dislocated her right elbow. A local healer helped treat her, but when the cast was removed a few days ago, her arm had very limited mobility. When Dany learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she visited their care center for review. On January 5th, surgeons at CSC will relocate and secure her right elbow. Now, Dany needs help to fund this $600 procedure. She and her family were able to contribute $100 to her care. Dany said, "I hope my elbow can move as normal again after this surgery."

Boniface is a 9-year-old student with two siblings. He started school late and enjoys taking part in science classes. Boniface likes to play soccer with his peers, but it is hard for him to play for long because of his leg condition. Boniface was diagnosed with genu valgus. His right knee knocks on his left knee. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Boniface. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 8th. Treatment will hopefully restore Boniface's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Boniface’s mother says, “It has been hard for him with his leg condition. He wishes to do more, but he is limited."