Zin is a 37-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband, son and two daughters in Myawaddy, Karen State. Her 17-year-old son and 13-year-old daughter go to school while her youngest daughter stays home as she is still very young. To make a living, Zin used to make different Burmese snacks and sell them at the nearby villages. But she recently stopped working due to her health condition. Sometimes, her husband works as a day labourer but Zin said she does not know how much he earns from that. Six months ago, Zin started to experience stomach-ache so she went to a clinic. The doctor there did not do any investigations, instead, just prescribed her oral medication. Although Zin felt better with the medications she received at the clinic, her symptom returned after two months and she went back to see the same doctor. The doctor again prescribed her medications, but they only relieved her symptoms for a short time. In early September, Zin felt like her stomach-ache has worsened. She had it more often and the medications that she received at the clinic did not help her anymore. On 12 September 2019, Zin had a severe stomach-ache and for the last time, she returned to see the same doctor. On this visit, the doctor performed an ultrasound and said that there are stones in her common bile duct (CBD), a duct that carries bile from the gallbladder and liver into the duodenum (upper part of the small intestine). Zin has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Zin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Zin is scheduled to undergo her biliary obstruction repair on October 03. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Zin's procedure and care. Zin said, “I cannot do anything now. I want to get well soon and start working again. If not, my family will not have enough food”.

Tugumisirize is a small scale farmer from Uganda. She is married and a mother to three children all in school. Her husband is a motorbike taxi rider while she is a small scale farmer. Three years ago, Tugumisirize began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tugumisirize receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 08 at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Tugumisirize says, “I hope to a better relief of my symptoms and I regain my appearance of the neck after surgery and continue to cultivate.”

Muntha is an 80-year-old mother of four from Cambodia. She has fifteen grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the radio, watching Khmer movies on television, and looking after her grandchildren. One year ago, Muntha developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Muntha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for half an hour seeking treatment. On August 7, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that my surgery will allow me to see again and be able to take care of my grandchildren."

Chhoeun is a man from Cambodia. In November 2017, Chhoeun was involved in a motorcycle accident and injured his left leg. Chhoeun went for treatment at Preah Kosomak Hospital in Phnom Penh, where he was fitted with an external fixation device for four months. However, the skin healed around the wound but the bones never aligned properly. Now, he experiences difficulty extending or flexing his lower leg and ankle. He is unable to walk normally and further treatment is too costly for his family. Chhoeun has given doctors permission to operate on his lower leg, and remove the affected limb completely. Surgery is scheduled for April 30 and will cost $413. He says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will no longer have to worry about the condition of my leg and I hope I can go back to work on the rice farm."

Kusemererwa is a student from Uganda. He is the second of four children. Since birth, Kusemererwa has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. The swelling causes him discomfort. Fortunately, on April 10, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $185 to fund Kusemererwa's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "I like playing football."

Sorn is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three sons and one daughter. He enjoys watching news programs and boxing matches on TV. Six years ago, Sorn developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurred vision, tearing, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On March 19, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. He says, "I hope I can see clearly so I can continue feeding my animals, continue my work as a farmer, and I can go to my farm on my own."

Mathew is a 30-year-old casual laborer in Kenya. He completed high school in 2010 but could not proceed to college due to lack of money. After high school, he decided to look for casual jobs so he could support his siblings, who are still in school. Four months ago, Mathew was cutting a tree branch when it fell on him, causing an injury to his left upper arm. He immediately rushed home because of the pain. If not treated, Mathew may continue experiencing pain, and he may never regain use of his left hand. He decided to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, for surgical review. Mathew was diagnosed with a left distal humerus fracture, and an open reduction and internal fixation surgery was suggested. His surgery is scheduled for October 31. Mathew's surgery will cost $771, which he cannot afford. Therefore, he is appealing to Watsi for financial assistance. “I have waited to be healed. Since I broke my hand I have not worked. The money I had saved was used for my follow up hospital visits. I want to get treated so that I can go back to work and continue helping my family," says Mathew. After surgery, Mathew's arm will be able to heal properly, and he will be able to get back to work.

Mohammad is a five-year-old boy growing up in Tanzania. He is the third born child in a family of three kids. Mohammad was born with clubfoot, which means that both his feet are turned inwards at his ankles. Consequently, he experiences difficulty whenever he tries to walk. Due to his condition, he has not started school yet because his mother thinks that he will have a hard time coping with the pain. Mohammad is now scheduled to undergo surgery on September 12 to realign the positioning of his feet. Although his family has contributed $22 to the cost of the procedure, his mother does not make enough income as a casual laborer to pay for the rest. As a result, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting an additional $890 to support the expenses of the surgery and patient care. Though it is difficult being a single parent, Mohammad's mother remains optimistic for her son, saying, "I am hopeful that my child will get better. Thank you for helping to treat my son.”

Jecinta is a shy 17-year-old girl from Kenya who loves playing volleyball. She is the third born in a family of four children. Her family lives in a house provided by their church members because they cannot afford to rent one. Jecinta is supposed to be in her first year of high school, but has still not enrolled due to financial constraints. When she was born, Jecinta's mother noticed her feet were unusual and, as she continued to mature, her feet developed facing outward. Her condition, diagnosed as clubfoot, gave her an unstable gait and often caused her to fall. Due to lack of information and poor finances, the family did not get any assistance. In February 2017, Jecinta successfully underwent triple arthrodesis treatment for her right foot and has been recovering well. On September 11, Jecinta will have treatment on her left foot, enabling her to wear shoes and walk without pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,224 for her medical treatment. “I thank God my right foot has corrected and I have healed now," says Jecinta, while looking forward to her next surgery.

Yar is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She is unemployed and lives with her 70-year-old father. After experiencing severe stomach pains, Yar recently underwent abdominal surgery at a local hospital. A few days into recovery, she noticed that her incision did not appear to be healing properly. She returned to the hospital, where they discovered that her intestine was protruding through the wound. On July 19, surgeons will operate on Yar's abdomen to address the improperly healing wound. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 to cover her treatment. In the future, Yar looks forward to recovering and regaining independence. "I hope to raise pigs and chickens for a source of income once I am recovered," she says.

Jade is a shy five-year-old boy from the Philippines. Jade was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on June 29, Jade will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Jade with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimal physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Jade's ongoing care. Jade's mother says, "I believe that my son will gain weight with the help of ICM's feeding program. Thank you so much!"

Roberto is ten years old and lives in the outskirts of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic with his mother and two sisters. He is in the fourth grade and would like to be a pilot when he grows up. Roberto was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Although Roberto is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Roberto will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 13. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Roberto also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Roberto's surgical care. "I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to get my heart fixed," says Roberto.