Duncan is a young boy from Kenya, who was 1 month old when he was diagnosed with distal hypospadias. This is a condition where the urethral opening is abnormally placed. His mother took him to the nearest hospital and was referred to a Watsi partner hospital. In March 2018, she brought Duncan to Kijabe and had one successful surgery performed on him. Duncan needs a second surgery to complete his treatment but his family faces a financial crisis to pay for it. Duncan is the second born of two children and lives with his parents and sibling in Eastern Kenya. His parents are peasant farmers without an external source of income. They are not able to raise the funds needed. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I am more hopeful than ever, that my son will get treated,” says Duncan’s mother.

Regina comes from central Kenya, where she lives together with her grandmother. She is an orphan, having lost her mother nine years ago. She suffered TB of the spine in 2007 but due to lack of finances, she could not access medical care. She has a congenital club foot and is planned to undergo surgery in our facility. Regina is usually mocked by other children who imitate her limping. She sat her final primary school examinations and hopes to join high school and excel. Regina's grandmother is a peasant, relying on small scale farming to make ends meet. With all the demands of raising Regina and her elder sibling, their grandmother is financially limited. The family appeals for help. Fortunately, Reginah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on November 13th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Reginah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Regina will be able to walk easily and with little limping. “My desire is to walk like my friends and continue with my studies” Regina expressed.

Mee is a 53-years-old woman who lives with her husband and two daughters who are studying in grade nine and six at a local high school. Mee’s husband is a carpenter and she is a homemaker. Their income is not enough to cover their expenses. About ten years ago, Mee had joint pain and swollen knees. She went to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) where she received blood test and vital signs. The results showed Mee has hypertension as well as arthritis. She also found out that she has a goiter related problem. She received one month worth of medication for all three conditions. Since then, Mee went back to MTC every month for follow-up appointment and to received medication. After three years of taking medication, Mee was told that she does not need to take medication for goiter anymore. Up until now, Mee has been going back to the same clinic for regular medication for her goiter. Meanwhile, Mee feels like her goiter has grown bigger. One day, she happened to meet a health worker in her village who told her to go and seek treatment at MTC. So Mee, along with her friend, went to MTC. From there, she was told to go to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. Mee then went to MSH the following day and she received blood tests and an ultrasound. With the results, the doctor confirmed Mee has a goiter. He said Mee needs to undergo surgery because oral medication or injection would not decrease the size of her goiter. Currently, Mee cannot sleep well but she can eat well. Sometimes, when she carries heavy things, she feels pain in her neck.

Patrick is a young student from Kenya. Patrick is the 2nd born in a family of 3 children. He is a class 1 pupil and he likes reading, drawing and playing with other kids at school and at home. The father is a farmer while the mother is a housewife. Patrick has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Patrick traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Patrick's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “We are kindly appealing for help of the 2nd surgery. Any kind of assistance will be appreciated." said Patrick’s father.

Chor is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He has three daughters and eight grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the news and the monks pray on the radio. Four years ago, Chor developed a cataract in each eye, causing him vision loss. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 7, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that I am able to go outside well on my own and will be able to recognize objects."

John is a young man from Kenya. In June, he was hit by a motorbike and sustained injuries on his right leg. He is in chronic pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On July 2, John will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $998 to fund this procedure.

Careen is a baby from Tanzania. She has been diagnosed with genu varus. Her leg is bowed 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. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Careen. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Careen's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Careen’s mother says, “We tried to use medication to help correct her legs but nothing worked, we could afford the surgery cost we are here asking for help please help our daughter.”

Dina is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, help the family around the house, and listen to music. In January 2019, Dina was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis in his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his right arm or hand, and is unable to work on the rice farm. Dina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. Surgery will help to restore movement and sensation to damaged nerves, allowing Dina to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to move my arm normally again and can go back to work."

Kyaw Myat is a five-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in Ma Gyi Pin Village, Tigyaing Township, Sagaing Division. Kyaw Myat 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 Kyaw Myat, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 19, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kyaw Myat's quality of life. His father says, "After my son underwent MRI, the result shows that he is suffering from hydrocephalus and need surgery. I hope he will feel better after this surgery."

Polen is a 38-year-old noodle seller from Cambodia. She enjoys taking care of her daughter, watching television, and listening to the radio in her free time. She developed a tumor below her nose that has since increased in volume over time. She finds it difficult to breathe normally, and experiences mild pain and lack of confidence. When Polen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 18, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin flap procedure to help eradicate the pain and breathing interference. Now, she needs help to fund this $606 procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will no longer have any more pain and will look back to normal."

Samson is a maize and groundnut farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife and six kids. Since December 2018, Samson has been experiencing failure to urinate and back pain. 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 Samson's surgery. On February 14, 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. He says, "This program is going to help us so much because when I am in good health and return home, I plan to fix the roof on our home!"

Phally is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has one son and one daughter. He likes to watch TV, play sports, and spend time with his children. Seven months ago, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his leg. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On January 9, Phally will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help him walk easily again. He says, "I hope after surgery I won't be in pain and I can return to work."