Fred is a farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and they have three grown children, who help run the family farm. To help supplement the family income, Fred raises chickens. In his free time, he likes to sit and talk with his wife. Since November 2017, Fred has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Fred's surgery. On March 13, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Fred and his family were thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded, and he is looking forward to going back to his normal activities pain-free He says, "Thank you Watsi."

Christian is a five-year-old girl from Kenya. She is very playful and is the only child in her family. Her mother works at a beauty salon, while her father works at a maize packaging company. With limited income, the family is only able to afford basic needs. Christian was born with a hearing problem and still does not speak. Her family brought her to our medical partner's care center, where she will be fitted with hearing aids on February 20. Now, her family needs help raising $712 to pay for the hearing aids. Christian’s father says, “I hope that soon my only child will be able to talk and hear.”

Bo is a four-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. Bo was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Bo, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 17, and, once completed, will greatly improve Bo's quality of life. His mother says, "As parents, we are very worried about Bo's condition. We understand that he will probably have continued mobility problems in the future, but we are anxious to prevent any further complications."

Kea Hong is an administrative assistant from Cambodia. She has ten siblings and enjoys spending time with her friends. Three years ago, Kea Hong 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, Kea Hong experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. She's worried about her hearing getting worse and it's difficult to listen at work. Kea Hong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 13, 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 $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her aunt says, "I hope my niece can heal her infection and stop the problem from getting worse."

Wislande is a 48-year-old woman from Haiti. Wislande has five children. Her family lives in Port-au-Prince. Wislande used to work as a street merchant before she became ill. Wislande enjoys attending church and participating in the activities with her church. At our medical partner's care center, Wislande was diagnosed with breast cancer. She will have to undergo a double mastectomy, since the cancer has now spread to her right breast. As a result of her illness, Wislande cannot wash her clothes or clean the house. She also cannot work and support herself. Fortunately, in May 2017, Wislande started chemotherapy. After four sessions of chemotherapy, Wislande will undergo a double mastectomy on August 26. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is requesting $1,085 to cover Wislande's procedure. This will cover the full cost of treatment, including labs, medication, physician and nurse time, radiology, supplies, and travel expenses.

U Aung is 41 years old. He lives with his wife and three children in Burma. He works as a day laborer loading rice packages. In early 2016, U Aung started to experience discomfort and some pain in his groin whilst loading the rice packages. He finds it difficult to bend his knees. A month ago, he visited a hospital, where he was diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the hip. The doctor explained that he would need surgery but U Aung could not afford it. Fortunately, U Aung found out about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). He was told he would need hip replacement surgery. Our medical partner, BCMF, is requesting $1,500 to fund U Aung’s surgery, scheduled for October 12.

Meet Michael, a 24-year old man from Kenya. He lives with his grandfather and works as a motorcycle taxi driver to provide for the two of them. On August 8, Michael was going about his daily work routine when a car hit his motorcycle. Michael was hurt and could not feel his left limb. At the hospital, Michael was diagnosed with a fractured left femur. Doctors recommended surgery. If not treated, Micheal may suffer non-union, malunion, or infection. He will also not be able to walk again. On August 17, Michael will undergo ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) treatment. To help fund it, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,451. Michael says, “I want to be treated and get back to work. I asked my friends to check on my grandfather. I hate being far from him because he has been there for me ever since I was a toddler."

Phyo is a 20-year-old man from Bago Division, Burma. Five years ago, he went to work in Bangkok, Thailand, where he met his wife. They now live with her parents and two brothers-in-law in Karen State, Burma. Phyo and his wife are both vegetable vendors in a market. While doing repairs in a machinery factory in December 2016, Phyo slipped and fell, landing on a pole. He was knocked unconscious and the pole perforated his lower torso. He underwent emergency surgery at the time of the accident, but an additional procedure is necessary. On May 8, surgeons will operate on Phyo to restore lower abdominal function and bypass the injured area. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover his medical treatment, including surgery, blood tests, and follow-up visits. Phyo's accident has taken a big toll on the lives of his family members, in addition to his own. He and his wife have been unable to work much since his injury. Phyo does not enjoy being a financial burden on his family, and he looks forward to recovering. He says, “We had a plan for after we got married. We were going to save money so we could buy land in Burma to farm and live on with our family.”

Heron is a five-year-old boy. He lives with his parents near the coast. His father works as a carpenter. Heron loves to play with his friends. Heron has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens his growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, he will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 23. Heron will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Heron's mother hopes that someday her son will finish his studies.

Loyce is a 14-month-old baby girl from Hakikome in the rural hills of Uganda. She lives with her parents, and her mother is expecting another baby in the coming months. While Loyce used to enjoy waking and playing with other children, malnutrition has dramatically reduced her mobility. Due to her pediatric malnutrition, Loyce has experienced diarrhea, weight loss, and severe lethargy. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $316 to fund treatment for Loyce, which she is scheduled to receive on June 8. This covers a ten-night hospital stay, medications, and provision of vital nutrients. “I thank the donors for the support. I am hoping that the hospital will treat my daughter to recover and get better. I was so much worried about the costs, and I am so grateful that there is such support," shares Loyce's mother. Following her daughter's treatment, her mother wishes to take Loyce home and hopefully send her to school one day.

Ath is 70 years old. She is married and has one son, two daughters, and ten grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to look after her grandchildren and go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. Two years ago, Ath developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and headaches. Ath has trouble seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and working on her own. When Ath learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On April 25, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Ath will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure.

Elvera is a wife and mother of six children from the Philippines. She is a very supportive wife and caring mother, and their house is always filled with laughter. For almost ten years, Elvera has been experiencing uncomfortable gynecological symptoms, headaches, and leg cramps. As a result, she is often unable to go to work. Last year, she was diagnosed with a myoma, a benign tumor that develops in the uterus. The doctor recommended surgery, but Elvera did not have the funds for the treatment. Fortunately, Elvera is a member of our medical partner's program. She informed the medical staff that she needed surgery. After undergoing lab tests, she was cleared for surgery, which is scheduled for February 24. She will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus and the tumor. "I am so thankful for your help," says Elvera. "This treatment means a lot to me and my family. When fully recovered, I will be able to work well and earn more for my children's education. I will treasure this opportunity in my heart forever."