Florante is a 44-year-old father from the Phillippines. He has one daughter, and he volunteers as a driver in his local administrative district. In 2016, Florante developed a mass in his neck. He was diagnosed with a cyst in his preauricular sinuses and surgery was recommended to treat his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Florante receive treatment. On December 9th, he will undergo a parotidectomy, where surgeons will remove his parotid gland, the largest of the salivary glands. Now, he needs help raising $1,323 to fund his procedure and care. After he has recovered, Florante will be able to lead a higher quality and pain-free life. Florante shared, "this will be the best Christmas gift of my life. I am very grateful to WSFP and Watsi."

Florvencia is an eight-month-old girl from Haiti. She has an older brother and her father supports their family as a taxi driver. Florvencia 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, Florvencia has been experiencing a rapidly growing head circumference. Without treatment, Florvencia will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Florvencia 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 February 17th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Florvencia's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Florvencia will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family shared how grateful and happy they are to have this opportunity for surgery for their little girl.

Myo is 40-years-old and lives with his two sisters, two nephews, and two nieces in a village in Burma. He was a fisherman but stopped working when he started to experience problems on his left foot. As a result, his sisters support their household. One year ago, Myo noticed that his left big toe was itchy and swollen after he came home from fishing. Soon enough, it developed into an ulcer. Without enough money to go to a clinic or a hospital, he used traditional medicine and bought pain medicine to clean the infection. However, each time Myo would clean the ulcer, it would heal but returning a month later. Four months after he first developed the ulcer, the recurrent ulcer worsened until he could no longer walk without support from his sister. Eventually, he saved enough funds to visit a health clinic. When the ulcer still did not heal, he went to a second clinic and was referred to our medical partner's care center, Mawlamyine Christian Leprosy Hospital (MCLH). At MCLH, the doctor tried to first clean and treat the infection. When that did not work, the doctor told him that they would have to amputate his left big toe and referred Myo to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for assistance accessing treatment. On January 13th, Myo will undergo treatment to amputate his left big toe so that his infection can finally be treated and not spread to other parts of his body. For the treatment, BCMF is requesting $1,500 to help cover the costs. Hopefully, he will be able to return to fishing and other activities he previously enjoyed soon. Myo is hopeful that things will be better after surgery and shared, "When I recover, I will find work and support my sisters’ families.”

Mu is a 17-year-old boy who lives with his sister in Mae Sot, Thailand. Before that, he lived with his parents, one older sister, two younger brothers and one younger sister in a refugee camp. His sister works at a non-governmental organisation helping others in need. Around mid-August, Mu woke up one morning with pain in his left knee. At first he thought that the pain would go away on its own and that it was nothing serious. However, when the pain remained a few days later, he told his sister about it. His sister bought him a type of Burmese pain reliever balm to apply on his knee. He applied the balm for a week, but he did not feel any better. When he and his sister noticed that his left knee had become slightly swollen his sister called their father. Mu’s father told them that it could be an ulcer and suggested that they go to a hospital or buy him pain medication to reduce swelling. His sister bought the medication their father had suggested at a pharmacy, and Mu took it for a week. However, he did not feel better, and the swelling did not decrease. Mu was able to have an MRI at Chiang Mai Hospital and now the doctor recommends he undergo surgery to remove a tumor on his left knee. Mu sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund and is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 17th. He is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care which will enable him to get off of using crutches and back to feeling well again. Mu said, "After I heard from the doctor that my leg does not need to be amputated, I feel so happy."

Lomayani is a 4-year-old boy and the fourth child of his mother. Lomayani has not started school yet, but his parents hope to enroll him once he is older and healthy. They shared that Lomayani is a shy, quiet boy who often likes to spend his time playing and listening to his older sibling’s stories. Lomayani’s parents sell milk from their cows and goats to provide for the family’s daily needs. Lomayani was born with clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, causing difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lomayani’s family traveled to visit the care center at our medical partner’s care, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). On November 16th, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Lomayani’s procedure. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Lomayani told us, “I would like to be able to walk like my friends or other kids, please help me get this treatment. I have never played football because I am scared I will get hurt, but it looks like a fun game. I would really like to try playing too.”

Michela is a 6-month-old baby from Haiti. Michela's family shared that she was born healthy and they are very worried about how to help her condition now since they have limited ability to pay for hospital costs. Michela has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. When Michela was two months old, her parents noticed Michela's head looked bigger that it should be. They have not known how to help without money for her care. Without treatment, Michela will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, Project Medishare, is teaming up with Watsi to raise $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Michela 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 October 15th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Michela's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Michela will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Their family has been so sad but now are very happy that their baby will get the surgery that she needs. They shared, "Thank you Jesus! Bless this organization who is so good to us and bless Bernard Mevs Hospital and it's team."

Halima is a charming two-year-old girl and the youngest child of two children in her family. Halima's mother sells fruits while her father works as a mechanic. Halima was diagnosed with bilateral Genu Varus, meaning that her legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she has difficulty walking and experiences pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Halima to receive treatment. On September 14th, she will undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center. Treatment will hopefully restore Halima's mobility, allowing her to participate in a variety of activities and greatly decreasing her risk of future complications. Now, her family needs help raising $880 to fund her procedure and care. Halima’s mother shared, "money has been our biggest challenge in seeking treatment for our daughter. Please help us."

Elsa is a 9-year-old boy from Ethiopia. He loves to play football with his dad and other kids. He is the first born in a family of three. His father is a daily laborer and his mother takes care of their house and family. Elsa and his family live in a rented house. Their family shared with us that Elsa does not go to school because his father hides him from the community for fear of gossip and stigma due to his birth condition. His parents are highly affected psychologically as a result of his affliction. His father is planning to send him to school in September after his surgery and recovery. Elsa was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Elsa had his first stage of hypospadias repair surgery in January and is now planned for a second stage surgery. He will be healthy and active after this treatment. Elsa is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 31st. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His father said, “I hope my child goes to school after the treatment. I hope he will mingle and play with other children and that will make him happy, break his isolation, and resolve the tension in his mind. If God wills he will be a doctor.”

Phoebe is a fruit vendor and a single mother with one daughter, now 27 years old. She moved in with her daughter in December 2018 after she was involved in an accident and broke her leg. She used to sell fruits but has not been able to work since her accident. Since the beginning of January 2021, Phoebe has been experiencing back pains, which have persisted over time and extended to her lower abdomen. Upon examination, doctors found a mass on the cervix which was bleeding, and she has been diagnosed with an early stage cancer. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $794 to fund Phoebe's surgery. On July 15th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Phoebe will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and her risk for future spreading of the cancer will be limited. Phoebe says, “Cancer is scary for me. I cannot wait to be declared free of the dangerous cells that I know can end my life. ”

Prince is a three-year-old boy from Kenya and the fifth born in a family of six children. Prince's mother works as a vendor and separated from Prince's father after he was born. Prince has an abnormal gait and limps when he walks. His mother shared that he has had the condition since birth and feels it may have started when, unfortunately, the doctor dropped Prince during her Caesarian delivery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Prince receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a proximal fibular osteotomy on June 14th at AMH's care center. After surgery, his gait will improve and he will be able to walk to school and continue with his studies. Now, their family needs help raising $1,224 to fund the procedure. Prince's mother shared, “I am appealing for help from well-wishers, I would like to see my son walking well like other children and continuing with life normally."

Sambon is a 65-year-old proud grandfather. He has been married for 40 years and has two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Sambon's wife is a cook at a small organization in Phnom Penh. Sambon is retired now, but used to be a government worker building roads. On May 9th, Sambon was burned by hot water on both legs. His family took him to an NGO hospital where the wounds were dressed and treated. Then, they referred him to Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for further evaluation and treatment. It is difficult for him to bend his legs and he is in pain. On May 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to remove the dead skin and apply a skin graft so can regain use of his legs. Now, he needs help to fund this $787 procedure. Sambon shared, "I am so thankful that I can return home soon after I am healed."

Nivan is a social and very friendly boy, the youngest in his family of three children. Currently, he attends a small kindergarten, which is close to their home. His parents had previously enrolled him at a government school, but he had to change schools due to the distance he had to walk to get there, which was difficult for him. Nivan's father is a small scale farmer, and also owns a small kiosk where they sell basics like sugar, flour and vegetables. Nivan was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or knock knees. As a result, his legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Nivan is not able to walk long distances due to pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Nivan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 16th. Treatment will hopefully restore Nivan's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Nivan’s mother shared, "We have tried to seek treatment for our son with no success. We even used our saving to get medical insurance for him but it turned out it cannot cover his treatment cost. Please help us."