Mealea has two younger brothers, and she enjoys cooking, watching television, listening to music, and helping with the housework. She helps her family sell gasoline in front of her house, but her hand often feels swollen and painful. Mealea was born with a tumor on her left hand, which was later removed. However, she now suffers from contractures on four of her fingers. This limits her ability to work and go about her daily activities. Surgery will help to release the contractures from her fingers and decrease any swelling, allowing her to move and flex her hand and fingers. She shared, "I hope that after my surgery, I will no longer have any pain in my hand. I hope my hand will no longer be swollen so I can return to my work and use my hands normally."

Prince is a kindergarten student from Kenya. He is a six-year-old boy who likes to play and sometimes tend to his grandfather's cattle. He is an only child and his mother used to work as a waiter in a local hotel while the father is a mason. Ryan's mother noticed an unusual bending of his left foot when he was two. Because of his condition, he is not able to walk. Surgery to realign his bones will help him walk and improve his self-esteem. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 20th. The family is not able to raise the estimated bill for the surgery and is asking for your help to fund this $1,286 surgery. After treatment, Prince's ability to walk will be much improved. “We are pleading for any kind of help to ensure my son undergoes surgery and is able to resume his normal life. We would greatly appreciate your support," shared Prince's mother.

Joyce is the oldest of three siblings and likes helping her mother do household chores at home. She also has a green thumb and enjoys helping her father on his farm. She is in seventh grade and her favorite subject is English. Joyce dreams of being a future doctor. In June of 2019, Joyce's family noticed an unusual curving of her spine. Currently, Joyce has trouble balancing while she walks and has experienced lower self-esteem. Surgery will correct the curve in her spine, improve her confidence, and enable her to continue her education and achieve her aspiration of becoming a doctor. Joyce's family has raised funds for half of the cost of her surgery with the help of friends and well-wishers. They are asking for Watsi's support to cover the remaining cost of their daughter's surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the remaining cost of her surgery and care. “My joy would be to get treated so that I can continue with my studies without needing to hide my back,” Joyce shared. Her parents also expressed, “We are pleading for support so that our daughter can undergo surgery and continue with her normal life like other children.”

The world welcomed a new baby boy, he has not yet been named, so goes by baby of Hawa Hassan. He is a first-born child to his mother who moved to Arusha, Tanzania four years ago looking for work. She was able to find work locally and has been earning income as a housemaid for two years now. Baby of Hawa was born in the hospital and was directly referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC when the doctors noticed he had a birth defect. At ALMC Hospital, he was admitted to the NICU and his mother was informed that her baby needed surgery as soon as possible to correct this birth defect. His mother could not afford surgery for her son for she does not earn enough to be able to afford the treatment. His father is a shop keeper and he is also not able to afford his son’s needed surgery, they had just enough savings for their baby’s birth costs. This surgery will enable Hawa's baby to be able to pass stool normally, if not treated this condition will cause discomfort for the baby as he cannot pass stool, and he may stop feeding properly. If not treated, his condition may even result in death. Hawa shared, “Please help my son get this treatment so that he can continue to feed well, I am worried about him. He looks very sick and discomforted.”

In is a 66-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has one son, three daughters, and seven grandchildren. She enjoys looking after her family and cooking for them. Two months ago, In fell off of her bicycle and fractured her hip on the right side. She finds it difficult to walk, and painful to sit and sleep. Fortunately, In learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve In of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for February 20th, and In needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. "I hope that my mother will feel better and she will be able to go places and do things independently again. I am so glad that she is getting surgery and we will not have to worry about spending anymore money for her treatment. We are so grateful." -Chanthea, In's Daughter

Ni Tar is a 36-year-old man from Burma who lives with his mother and his younger sister in Mingalar Township, Yangon Division. His younger sister is the primary breadwinner for the household. She works at solar factory in Yangon. Ni Tar has been unemployed for five years. In his free time, Ni Tar likes to read the Quran, especially when the weather is cool. Ni Tar was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of his mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ni Tar exhibits similar symptoms as before. He has shortness of breath, weakness, chest pain, and a difficulty walking longer distances. He also has a chronic cough. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ni Tar. The treatment is scheduled to take place on March 18th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I miss teaching the children at the Mosque,” said Ni Tar. “Sometimes, in the past I wanted to kill myself because I felt like I was useless. I wanted to help take care of my family, but now it is up to my younger sister. It makes me feel ashamed.”

Keith is a 12-year-old from Kenya. He is the first born child in a family of two, both of whom are students in grade three. They hail from Kaptul village which is known to be a rural area with less access to medical and social services. His parents are peasant farmers and they depend on seasonal farm products like mangoes and cassavas for commercial purpose. The money they get from those farm products is not enough to sustain the family for their daily needs. Therefore they depend on well-wishers for food and clothing when they don’t have farm products to sell. Four days ago, Keith fell from a high height and sustained trauma with injuries on right leg. A right tibia fracture was revealed by x-ray on his arrival to the hospital. Keith was looking after his grandmother’s cattle when he fell into a ditch. He is now in pain and cannot walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 20th, Keith will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and be able to walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Keith’s mother says, “He is hardworking and he is liked by his grandmother for being honest and taking responsibility. He will be missed by his grandmother, who is wishing him quick recovery.”

Paw is a 62-year-old widow from Thailand. She lives with her older brother in Thaw Lae Hta Village, Mae Sariang Town, Mae Hong Son Province. Paw has works as a homemaker taking care of her brother who cannot work due to congenital mental and physical disabilities. Paw has a younger sister in the same town who supports her financially and is her main source of income. Since 2014, Paw has been experiencing some abnormal pain in her right lower abdomen. She has been diagnosed with a myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Paw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Paw is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on November 19th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Paw will no longer abdominal pain and she will be able to take care of her brother. Paw said, "Since 2019, I have been experiencing increased levels of pain in my right lower abdomen, increased back pain, and difficulty sleeping. Riding a motorbike aggravates the pain even more. I also experience dysuria and sometimes it takes me longer to use the bathroom. My appetite is good, but I cannot eat as much as I want because I experiences abdominal tightness, difficulty breathing, and fullness in my stomach when I eat too much."

Khun is a 17-year-old from Cambodia. He enjoys listening to music, exercising, and he hopes to become a businessman when he gets older. Since 2015, Khun has experienced debilitating pain in both of his hips caused by osteoarthritis. He has to walk with crutches and dropped out of school because he was unable to sit in class for long periods of time. Fortunately, Khun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Khun of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for November 5th, and Khun needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. Khun's mother said, "I hope that after surgery, my son will be able to sit and walk without any difficulties, and I won't have to worry about his condition anymore."

Coldy is a baby from Haiti who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Coldy has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Coldy will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On November 14th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart using a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Coldy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Coldy's family overseas. From Coldy's mother, "I am hopeful that after his surgery my son will start eating better and gaining weight!"

Richard is a farmer from Kenya. Father of six Richard is a small scale farmer. He plants maize and beans in his farm. Richard doesn’t have a good house to live in. He stays in a two room house roofed with grass. None of his children completed school due to low income in the family. The family has gone through a hard-time that they even lack food some of the days. Two months ago, Richard was involved in a road traffic accident and sustained a complex femur fracture on his left leg. Richard was brought to our hospital where he underwent a successful intramedullary nail femur surgery on 8/08/2019. He was discharged where he has been recovering at home. On his first surgical review, the surgeon realized that Richard is unable to get full extension of the femur. On further examination he realized that Richard had shortened femur and suggested that he needs revision surgery to fix his this condition for previous surgery done that was not successful. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On October 07, Richard will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Richard says, “I am really worried about the fate of my leg. I thought it was getting well. I have nothing to offer for my second surgery. Help me raise funds to make it possible and a success."

Mbondo is a nursery school pupil and likes reading and drawing. He also likes playing with other children and sometimes he says that his friends imitate him as he walks. Mbondo hails from Tulimani village in Makueni County. He is an orphan and lives with his grandparents. His mother passed 3 years ago as a result of an accident along Makutano junction Machakos road while his father passed 2 years later after a long illness. Mbondo was born with a condition known as knock knees, the grandmother did not notice the condition at an early stage until recently when he noticed the knees knocking each other and he was limping as he walks. Mbondo's grandparents who are taking care of him are farmers and mostly depend on their children for daily bread cannot afford to pay even a quarter of the estimated bill and thus requested for support.