Myo Myint is a 34-year-old woman who is married with two sons and a daughter. Myo Myint, her husband, and her oldest son work as day laborers, but since April 2020, they have had difficulty finding work due to COVID-19. She proudly shared that her younger son and daughter are both students. In her free time, Myo Myint likes to listen to the news on the radio and walk around to collect sticks and branches that she uses for her cooking. Myo Myint has been experiencing difficulty with her vision in her right eye. She can only read for a few minutes before her eye begins to hurt and her vision becomes doubled. She visited a local hospital, where the doctor determined she has a cataract in her right eye and recommended lens replacement surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), is helping Myo Myint receive treatment. On March 1st, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Myo Myint's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to help fund this procedure. Myo Myint shared, "I want to see clearly and find extra money to support my children to finish their education."

Patience is a baby and the last born in a family of two children. Her mother is not employed and relies on her sisters to help provide for them. Currently Patience and her mother are living at her Aunt’s place in Kibera, Kenya as she undergoes treatment before moving back to upcountry. Patience has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. Patience was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. She was then referred to another facility where she was admitted in the nursery and stayed there for a while without the treatment she needed. Her mother decided to take her to another facility in Nairobi, where she was able to have surgery for spina bifida. She recovered fully and was discharged home. While at home, Patience started experiencing fevers more often which raised concern for her mother. Her mother shared it with a friend who referred her to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids Hospital for treatment. Upon arrival, Patience was diagnosed with hydrocephalus. She is now scheduled for a surgery. Without treatment, Patience will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Patience that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 2nd and will drain the excess fluid from Patience's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Patience will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Patience’s mother says, “I never knew that her condition would be this big that it needs urgent intervention. We put our trust in God and hope that she will be well.”

Rady is a 58-year-old farmer who is married and lives in a rural province of Cambodia. Seven years ago he went to a government hospital where they diagnosed him with bilateral perforated ear drums and suggested surgery. His family could not afford surgery so instead his wife purchased him hearing aids, but they are now broken. His conditioned has worsened over the years. Rady traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 3rd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Rady says, "I really hope my hearing will improve and all the ear discharge will stop."

Liam is 3-year-old and the only child in his family. His mother is a housewife without a source of income and his father is a small-scale farmer tending food crops. They occasionally can sell crops when there's surplus to help earn more for their family. The income from the venture is small and inconsistent, and not sufficient to help pay for the treatment Liam requires. In August 2020, Liam was diagnosed with right inguinal hernia. He successfully had a right hernia repair surgery last year in August with support from Watsi donors. Unfortunately, doctors have now diagnosed a recurrence on his left side. He now has pains and a swollen stomach. Fortunately, on December 7th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $585 to fund Liam's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Liam’s mother says, “We had hoped our kid was doing well. This hernia is making his stomach swell and in pain. He needs this treatment urgently to relieve these discomforts.”

Phally is a 41-year-old vegetable farmer. She is the oldest in a family of five children, including two sisters and two brothers. Phally lives with one of her sisters. When she is at home, she likes to watch movies on TV. Over ten years ago, Phally had an ear infection that caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Phally experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Phally receive treatment. On October 28th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure at CSC's care center. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Now, CSC is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Phally shared, "I hope my ear infections and pain will stop. I want to return to the rice field to earn money and be able to hear people well."

Yorn is a 42-year-old farmer. She works with her husband as a rice farmer during the rainy season. In the dry season, they grow vegetables. They have three daughters who are in elementary and high school. When she is not working, Yorn loves to watch Thai movies or go shopping at the market. In June 2021, Yorn fell and badly injured her left elbow. She immediately went to visit a traditional healer and also a clinic, but both were unable to treat her injury. Over time, her elbow has become swollen and painful and she has lost range of motion. Yorn traveled to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), where doctors will perform an open reduction surgery on September 9th. This procedure will help her elbow to fully heal and allow her to regain full range of motion. Once recovered, she will be able to return to work and do all of her normal activities. Now, CSC is requesting $412 to fund Yorn's procedure and care. Yorn shared, "I am so happy I can get this surgery, and that I will be able to work again, be comfortable, and help my daughters with everything they need."

Fredrick is a hardworking student and the third born in a family of four siblings. His family comes from a town called Maua in Kenya. Fredrick is deaf and attends a special school named Ntoruba. He comes from a humble background: sadly, his mother passed away in July 2017 due to prolonged illness. His father also suffers from an illness and is currently under treatment. A neighbor expressed, “The family depends on well-wishers for their daily living.” Fredrick has clubfoot on 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, Fredrick traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Fredrick's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily again. Fredrick signed that he will be happy if his leg will be corrected and able to walk normally. His brother Dennis told us, "Any help to make him happy and walk normally will be highly appreciated.”

Asiimwe is a kindergarten teacher who expects to deliver her second child in August. Asiimwe graduated from college as a kindergarten teacher and used to teach in Kampala. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and with the closure of schools, she returned to her village in southwestern Uganda to try out farming to provide for her family. Currently, she lives with her uncle because Asiimwe lost contact with her husband. Asiimwe has had a full antenatal package and during her last visit, the midwife recommended her for a caesarian section to ensure a safe birth for the mother and child. Asiimwe says, “With my income nowadays, I am not able to pay for the surgery yet I desire to have a live baby. Please support my treatment."

Sylvia is a 14-year-old student and her favorite subjects in school are mathematics and chemistry. She shared that she would like to be a doctor in the future. Sylvia is the oldest child in a family of two. Her mother is a single mom and works hard as a laborer whenever she can get work. Sylvia has clubfoot of the left foot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes her difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Sylvia to receive treatment. She visited AMH's care center where surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 6th. Now, AMH is requesting $1,286 to fund Sylvia's procedure. After treatment, Sylvia will be able to walk with ease and wear shoes. She will continue with her studies and hopefully achieve her dream of becoming a doctor. Sylvia shared, "my desire is to walk well like other girls and continue with school without any interruptions."

Brian was born last night and is the first born in his family. His father works in a newly opened bakery and shared that he earns very little money, while his mother makes and sells pots to earn a living. After Brian was born, he was examined by the pediatric surgery team and diagnosed with anorectal malformations. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is helping Brian to receive treatment. On June 2nd, at AMH's care center, he is scheduled to undergo a colostomy surgery to enable him to pass stool. Now, AMH is requesting $592 to fund Brian's surgery. Brian’s father shared, “we are hoping and praying that our son will get treated despite the fact that we are not financially stable to afford the surgery.”

Ngoitumet is a 6-year-old boy and the last born in a family of three children. Despite his legs condition and his difficulty with walking, Ngoitumet is a friendly and jovial boy. If not for his health condition, he would be running around enjoying his playtime and be more involved in daily home activities. Ngoitmet’s father is elderly with no source of income. He was not able to bring Ngoitumet to the hospital and had to be helped by a neighbor. Ngoitumet's family depends on livestock keeping and the milk they get from their cattle to make ends meet. Ngoitumet was diagnosed with "windswept" knees, a condition that started when he was two years old when his father noticed his left leg was slightly curving outward. His father couldn’t take him to the hospital for treatment due to financial challenges, so his left leg kept worsening, and the right leg also began curving inward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Due to his condition, Ngoitumet has not had a chance to join school yet. He is no longer able to take part in daily home activities, like grazing their father’s cattle. Ngoitumet undergoes a lot of pain when he walks over a long distance. Through their church and the outreach program at Plaster House, Ngoitumet's family was referred to seek treatment. He has been scheduled for surgery to help correct both of his legs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Ngoitumet. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 20th. Treatment will hopefully restore Ngoitumet's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Ngoitumet’s neighbour shared, "Please help this boy as he is having a hard time standing and walking and his parents do not have money to seek treatment for him."

Charity is a 28-year-old woman from Kenya. She is the eldest in her family and is now married and has a newborn baby who is two months old. Her husband works as a clerk at a local dairy factory, where he earns enough to feed their family. Charity was working at the same factory, but was laid off from her job due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She is not currently working and spends her time at home taking care of her child. Since August 2020, when Charity was pregnant, she started experiencing pain in her upper abdomen that radiated to the back. Charity had visited several different health centers but showed no improvement, and later decided to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Nazareth Hospital. She underwent a scan, which showed that she has a large gallstone. The doctor recommended that she undergo a cholecystectomy. Without treatment, Charity's condition may become more complicated and cause her gall bladder inflammation, or a blocked bile duct or pancreatic duct. However, Charity is unable to meet the cost of her care and appeals for financial support. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. is helping Charity receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 9th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove the gallbladder due to the gallstone causing pain and possibly infection. This procedure will cost $788, and she and her family need help raising money. Charity shared, "The pain is too much at times and I feel some relief when I vomit. I am hoping to get support so that I can be well and be at peace to nurse my baby."