Three month old Keziah lives with her parents and two older siblings in Kenya. Her father, who works as an artist, is the sole breadwinner for the family. Keziah was born with open spina bifida and bilateral club feet. Spina bifida is a type of neural tube defect, in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. While she has undergone some therapy for her condition, without additional treatment, Keziah is at risk of lower limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Keziah's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This surgery will hopefully spare Keziah from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Keziah's father says: “She is a jovial kid. We are sad that she is unwell. I hope that she is treated, and she can walk in the future.”

Xavena is a young woman from Haiti. She lives with her older sister and her sister's family in a small farming village in central Haiti. She previously worked tailoring clothes but has been unable to work in recent years due to her cardiac illness. Xavena has a heart condition called severe rheumatic aortic regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart was severely damaged by an infection she suffered earlier in her life. The cardiac surgery Xavena needs is not available in her country so she will need to fly to the United States to receive treatment. On October 18, Xavena will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will surgically remove her damaged heart valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $25,000 to pay for surgery. Xavena's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up medical care. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, checkups, and follow-up appointments. Xavena shaed: "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will have the energy and strength to return to work and pursue my goals in life."

Devie is a 31-year old woman from the Philippines. She has three children that she loves and supports alongside her partner. In 2018, Devie began to experience troubling symptoms, including discomfort in her neck, shortness of breath, easy fatigability, palpitations, and difficulty swallowing. Unfortunately, due to financial constraints, she couldn't seek medical consultation. Due to her condition, she cannot work. As time went on, Devie's condition worsened, and in 2019 she noticed a visible lump on her neck. This made it even more challenging for her to carry out her daily tasks. Devie traveled to Our Lady of Peace Hospital, where she underwent a thorough examination. She was diagnosed with Colloid Adenomatous Goiter, a thyroid gland disorder characterized by the development of multiple nodules or lumps within the thyroid tissue. These nodules are made up of abnormal thyroid cells that form small, fluid-filled sacs called colloid cysts. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Devie receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on July 22nd at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is covering a portion of the cost of Devie's treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935. Devie shared, "I am grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines because I have been enduring this illness for a long time, waiting for someone to help and for something to happen, and they are my answered prayer. Please never get tired of helping less fortunate people like me."

Peter, a 27-year-old, earns a living as a sales representative specializing in selling computer accessories. His income primarily stems from commissions earned through this endeavor. However, his earnings have been insufficient to cover the costs of his required surgery. Currently residing with his parents, both engaged in casual labor – his father on construction sites and his mother in various manual occupations – Peter finds himself in a challenging financial situation. As the eldest among three siblings, he carries the responsibility of being the firstborn. Unfortunately, he has no medical insurance to alleviate the impending medical expenses. On August 5th, Peter was involved in an accident that caused a fracture on his left leg and left him immobile. He has a broken tibia bone that can only be treated through surgery. He has been scheduled for a fracture surgery, where the orthopedic doctors plan to insert a nail to help the bone heal without a deformity. Yet, he cannot raise the required amount for the procedure. Currently, he can get by with the help of crutches and occasional support from relatives. Thankfully, the skilled surgeons at our medical partner's facilities, African Mission Healthcare, are ready to assist. Scheduled for August 9th, Peter is set to undergo a fracture repair intervention known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF). This surgical process aims to restore his ability to walk comfortably and reduce the pain stemming from the fracture. He is currently reaching out for your assistance in raising the required $1,500 to cover the expenses associated with this intervention. Peter says, “A few days ago, I was well. Suddenly, I am unable to work because of the injury. I hope to go back to work once I get the surgery.”

Zin is a 17-year-old student who lives with her parents and older brother. She is in eighth grade but stopped her schooling six months ago due to her deteriorating health. Her father is a carpenter, and her mother is a homemaker. Her older brother works at a furniture factory. Zin enjoys dancing in her free time. In June 2022, Zin started to experience persistent coughing. She also occasionally felt tired, which worsened when she laid down. Due to this symptom, she had difficulty sleeping at night. She received medications at a clinic, but they only helped her temporarily. In April 2023, both of Zin's legs became swollen, so they sought medical care. The cardiologist performed an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and chest X-ray, and diagnosed Zin with mitral valve regurgitation and tricuspid valve regurgitation due to rheumatic heart disease. This means that the valves of her heart are not properly closing. On July 21st, doctors with our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) will perform heart surgery on Zin, replacing her mitral and tricuspid valves. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure. Her father shared, “I am thankful I got in contact with you. It is a blessing to receive help from you. I wish you the best. I am also happy for my daughter because she is so lucky to receive such support. It is impossible for us to pay for her treatment without your help.”

Suy is a 56 year-old rice farmer who lives in Kampong Speu province with his wife and youngest son. His other two sons live nearby, and also work as rice farmers. In his free time, Suy enjoys gardening - including growing fruits and vegetables - and looking after his chicken coop at home. Fifteen years ago, Suy had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind his ear drum. As a result, Suy experiences ear discharge, pain, and hearing loss. He has tried various medications and natural remedies, but nothing has worked. Suy sought help from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On May 17th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure on his right ear, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $926 to cover the cost of the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Suy shared: "I hope I can solve this problem in my ear so I can hear better and stop worrying all the time."

Htwe is a 12-year-old student who lives with his uncle's family in Thailand. His parents are day laborers in Bangkok, who send his uncle money every month to support him. In his free time, Htwe enjoys playing football with his friends. Two years ago, Htwe's right eyelid became swollen and red. By July 2021, the swelling had worsened and he felt a small mass in his right eyelid. He also developed double vision. He visited several clinics and was given oral medications and eye drops, but he never felt better. Currently, Htwe has redness and swelling in his right eyelid, and sometimes his eye will water. He also has blurry vision and feels uncomfortable with the mass pressing on his eyelid. Due to his blurry vision, he finds it hard to study and do his homework. Eventually, his aunt took Htwe to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), where he was diagnosed with a cyst in his right eyelid. The doctor told him that he will need to have surgery to remove the cyst. Thanks to our partner's care center, Htwe will have the cyst surgically removed on May 11th. Now his family needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Htwe said, “I want to be a football player when I grow up.” (His family hopes he'll become a medic himself one day and can help others in need!)

Jasibe, who is only four months old, lives with her mother, grandparents and three older siblings in the mountains above La Paz, Bolivia. Jasibe was born with a hole between the two lower chambers of her heart, and a leak between two of the major blood vessels near her heart. As a result, blood doesn't flow normally through her body, and she struggles to breathe and to gain weight. Fortunately, our medical partner is here to help. On April 5th, doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will perform surgery, and repair both of these defects, so that blood can flow normally through Jasibe's body. Now she and her family need your help to raise $1,500 for this life changing procedure. Jasibe's mother said: "Our family is praying that after this surgery our daughter will become healthy and will be able to gain weight!"