Savuth is a 70-year-old rice and potato farmer from Tboung Khmom province in rural Cambodia. He lives with his wife and his grandson, who help him on the farm. He hopes that his grandson will take over the farm soon. When not working on his farm, he likes to listen to old music from when he was younger. Last April, he was accidentally cut with a knife that fell on the top of his left foot. He went to a local hospital for a laceration repair, but he has difficulty lifting the top part of his foot. The front of his foot drags on the ground when he walks, which is a sign of an underlying muscular or anatomical problem. He shared that he feels embarrassed that he cannot walk well and has difficulty when he is outside on his farm. Fortunately, the referral hospital told him to go to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where plastic surgeons specialize in this kind of care. Savuth traveled three hours for a diagnosis, and surgeons will perform a tendon repair on his foot on December 13th. He now needs help to pay for the $572 procedure, which will cover hospitalization, surgery, medicines, and post-operative rehabilitation. When his ankle has healed, he will have an improved gait and can return to full activity. Savuth said: "I hope I can walk better and not have any pain after this operation."

Meet Maripet, a 9 year-old-girl, living with her parents and two siblings. Her father is a farmer, while her mother stays home to look after the children. In August of last year, Maripet began experiencing persistent, severe headaches. Her parents brought her to a local hospital, where she was prescribed medication, and sent home. When her headaches didn't improve, her parents brought her to a second hospital, where she was given additional medication and sent home, once again. Her family tried traditional medicine, but nothing worked. When Maripet's headaches continued, her parents brought her back to the first hospital they had visited, and this time, brain scans were performed. Maripet's family was immediately referred to our BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, but without funds for her care they had to delay for visit for one month. During that time, Maripet lost her ability to walk and to move her head, and she also lost her eyesight for a few days. She is now in a wheelchair. When she arrived to BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital, Maripet was examined and booked for immediate surgery to remove a brain tumor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is here to help make sure she can finally access the treatment she needs. They are seeking $1,500 to fund Maripet's surgery and medical care. Maripet’s mother says: “I’m very much worried about my daughter's condition. I just pray and hope that she will be fine.”

Perlisa is a 34-year-old, full-time mother of two sons and one daughter, living in the Philippines. Her partner is a construction worker, with only limited earnings to support the family. In 2020, Perlisa began to experience a broad constellation of symptoms, ranging from weight loss and extreme fatigue, to chest pain and shortness of breath, a bloated stomach and back pain. After undergoing an ultrasound, it was determined that Perlisa had a gallstone which needed to be surgically removed. Because of a lack of funds, Perlisa delayed her surgery, missed appointments with her doctors, and relied on medications to ease her symptoms. Ultimately, Perlisa found her way to our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and they will be able help Perlisa access the care that she needs. On September 10th, Perlisa will undergo surgery to have her gallbladder removed at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Without this procedure, Perlisa's symptoms could worsen, and she would be at risk for more health complications in the future. While a portion of the cost of Perlisa's procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is looking to raise the remaining $826 needed to cover the costs of Perlisa's surgery and care. "Ive been praying for so long to be treated for my illness. We're financially incapable to pay for my medical bills. This surgery is an answered prayer." Perlisa shared. "I'm eternally grateful to WATSI, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and all the doctors who helped me. May the Lord continue to bless you so that you may be able to help more people," she added.

Reth is a 61-year-old retired rice farmer with three sons, three daughters, and 10 grandchildren. All of her children are also farmers, which is the most common livelihood in their community. A year ago, Reth developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her partial blindness. Because of her impaired vision, Reth is reluctant to go out on her own. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Reth to access the care that she needs. On June 8th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery on Reth, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After she has recovered, Reth should once again be able to see clearly, and to feel confident again to move around by herself. Children's Surgical Centre is seeking $253 to fund her procedure and care. Reth says: "I hope my eye can see clearly again so I can recognize things well and take better care of myself."

Grace is a bright and hardworking student who is ready to sit for her government-mandated national exams for high school students in just two days. She is the youngest in her family of four. Grace's family came to Kenya as refugees from Rwanda to escape the 1994 genocide. Her parents started a small cereal shop after they settled. They don’t have medical insurance so are requesting help for Grace. She has had many ear infections that have now caused difficulty for her to hear and she strains to pick up voices. This has been affecting her classwork and she's even worried she may not be able to hear during her final exams on Monday. Grace urgently needs hearing aids on both ears and our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping her receive this treatment and care. AMH is raising $1,171 to fund the full cost. Grace father shared, "Grace has been struggling with her studies because of her hearing. She is now supposed to sit for her final exams in two days and will need the hearing aids so as not to miss the instructions during the exams.”

Melany is a joyful six-year-old girl from Colombia. She lives with her great-grandmother as he mother left when she was two years old. Melany loves to play with her "nana", and laughs a lot. Melany was born with Cerebral Palsy, and her great grandmother has been incredibly supportive in her treatment through the years, ensuring that she has the best possible prognosis. Due to her condition, Melany experiences recurrent hip dislocation and requires corrective surgery to help her walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, Clínica Noel, is helping Melany receive treatment. On February 14th, she will undergo corrective surgery, and, now, she and her family need help raising $1,362 to fund her procedure and care. Melany's great-grandmother shared, "my biggest motivation is seeing her walk by herself, or at least depend a little less on me. I'm afraid to die and leave her alone in a world where she only has me and her uncle."

Bunthoeun is a 34-year-old waste collector. He is married and has two active children—a five-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter. His wife works as a garment worker in a local factory. In his free time, he enjoys going fishing. Three years ago, Bunthoeun developed a pterygium in his left eye, causing him burning, irritation, and tearing in his eye. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Bunthoeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 6th, Bunthoeun will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of his procedure is $216, which will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Bunthoeun shared, "I hope after surgery my eye will look and feel better. I will be able to go to work with a comfortable eye."

Nyinebirabo is a 54-year-old woman who helps work in her neighbor's farms to earn an income for her daily necessities. For the past year, she has not been able to sustain lengthy working periods on the farms because she's developed uterine fibroids. Nyinebirabo has not been able to access treatment due to the cost of care, but she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Nyinebirabo's surgery. On April 23rd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Nyinebirabo will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain and worry. Nyinebirabo shared, “I really ask you to have mercy on me and help me undergo the surgery because it’s the only way I can regain my health. I hope to resume farming and continue providing for my basic needs once recovered.”

Mugabirwe is a 45-year-old woman from Western Uganda. Both she and her husband are farmers. They have six children and their youngest is still in school. Mugabirwe also takes up casual labor projects in their community to make a living for their family. For the past five years, Mugabirwe has been experiencing pain in her lower abdomen that radiates to her back and fatigue that limits her from engaging in strenuous work for long. When she visited our medical partner's care center, she had a pelvic scan and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst that needs to be removed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $220 to fund Mugabirwe's procedure. On April 9th, she will undergo surgery at AMH's care center. Once treated, Mugabirwe will be free from pain and the chances of the cyst becoming malignant will be reduced. Mugabirwe shared, “I hope to get well after the treatment and have reduced pain to continue tending to the farm and raising my family."

Sarom is a 64-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is a rice plantation farmer and has three sons, five daughters and many grandchildren. All of her children are married. Sarom lives with her husband, who is a retired soldier. She no longer goes to the rice field anymore because she cannot see well. Instead, she spends her time at home looking after her grandchildren. She like to listen to the monks preaching on the radio. Two years ago, Sarom started having poor vision. She has developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her poor night vision, photophobia, blurry vision, and sometimes tearing. Saromhas difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sarom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled there with her daughter seeking treatment. On February 16th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sarom shared, "I hope after surgery that I can see better and can better help my husband and my children to plant crops. I want to return to doing housework and taking care of my grandchildren."

Hon is a 63-year-old cashew nut farmer from Cambodia. She has one son and two grandchildren, and enjoys Khmer movies on television in her spare time. Five years ago, Hon developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurred vision, burning, itchiness, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six hours seeking treatment. On August 1, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope that my eye surgery is successful so I can see everything clearly and so I can continue my work in the farm field as well as take care of the house work and my grandchildren. I also hope that I will be able to go anywhere outside by myself more easily than before."

Furtu is an infant from Ethiopia. She loves to play with her mother. Furtu was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Furtu is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on December 4. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Furtu's procedure and care. After her recovery, Furtu will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Her father says, "We came here after being informed by a relative that we might receive help. It is our hope that we can get the surgery for our baby and to see our child healthy.”