Scola is a 60-year-old farmer. She is married and has one child who is twenty years old. Scola and her husband work as farmers to support themselves. For a few years now, Scola has been experiencing post-menopausal bleeding. She visited a local hospital for examination and was diagnosed with a premalignant cervical lesion. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Scola receive treatment. On November 4th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Once recovered, Scola will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Now, she and her family need help raising $219 to fund Scola's procedure and care. Scola shared, "it is my hope that the donors will consider sponsoring my surgery. My wish is to regain my health."

Mary is an elderly woman and a farmer from the Rift Valley region in Kenya. She now lives alone after losing her husband a few years ago. Her 4 children have left the nest and live separately with their own families. She does small scale farming to meet her daily needs. Her social-economic status is low and therefore she is unable to meet the cost of surgery. On August 26th, she was a passenger on a motorcycle when the motorcycle got into an accident. She was rushed to the hospital for first aid and debridement of the open wound on her right foot. She is in pain and unable to walk. At Kapsowar hospital, she had an x-ray done and was diagnosed with a fracture. She needs a surgery, but is unable to raise the funds needed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 30th, Mary will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will help her walk again with ease. She will also be free from pain and the infections caused by the open wound will be cleared. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1016 to fund this procedure. Mary said, “My hope is to get treated early for fast recovery so that I can walk and work again.”

Saray is a beautiful baby girl who lives in Colombia. Her parents moved from Venezuela two years ago seeking for a better place to raise a family. Even though Saray is only one year old, she is already really sympathetic and enthusiastic, she loves celebrating everything. Saray has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This will cause difficulty walking and even wearing shoes as she grows older. Fortunately, Saray's family traveled to visit our Medical Partner Clínica Noel where they can offer life-changing treatment. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 6th. Our medical partner is requesting $1,422 to fund Saray's clubfoot repair. After treatment, She will be able to walk, wear shoes, and play like any other kid. "Thank you so much, being in a foreign country and finding out that our little girl needs surgery is really stressful for us. I was really sad because in this moment we can't pay for the surgery but finding out that there are people that can help me with this really gives me hope that my little girl will be okay."

Sor is a 67-year-old farmer. She is married and lives with her husband and their eldest daughter, who is a garment worker. Sor has two sons, three daughters, and nine grandchildren. She enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Sor developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sor learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours and a half seeking treatment. On June 24th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery for her to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sor is excited for her recovery, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can recognize people, go outside, do housework, cook, and plant some crops around my house."

Lakati is a 12-year-old boy and the fifth born out of six children. Lakati comes from a big extended family. Lakati got a chance to go to school but since he finished his primary school education he has been helping look after his father's cattle. His parents are nomadic pastoralists who settle in very remote regions, so getting to a hospital is not easy. They depend mainly on milk and meat from their cattle and once in a while, they are able to sell the cattle. Lakati was diagnosed with right genu valgus. His right knee bows inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Lakati experiences pain when walking for a long distance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lakati. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 8th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lakati's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lakati says “We have to walk long distances each day in search of pasture for our father’s cattle and as days go by it keeps being hard for me because of my right leg which hurts badly especially in the evening when we return home.”

Mao is a 51-year-old rice farmer with one son, one daughter, and one grandchild. Mao lives with his wife who is a grocery seller. At home he enjoys listening to the news and Chinese dramas on TV. Two years ago, the retina of Mao's left eye detached, causing him blurry vision, pain, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled therewith his son seeking treatment. On June 9th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Mao shared, "I hope after surgery I can see better so I can plant rice and also sell piglets from my motorbike to earn money for my family."

Duncan is a 28 year old man who is currently single and unable to work due to his condition. Duncan experienced trauma in early 2010 after a road traffic accident that caused spine injury and hearing loss. At the time of the accident, Duncan had a loss of consciousness, memory loss, and was even paraplegic at one point. He also had tinnitus in his right ear but with earlier support from Watsi donors, he got a hearing aid fitted and can now communicate well. Duncan now walks on a crutch, however, his pain worsens with movement, and radiates to his lower limbs. Because of his condition, Duncan has been in and out of hospitals. He is supposed to visit the hospital regularly. For convenience, he currently lives with his relatives nearby in Nairobi. His parents are elderly farmers in his ancestral home in Kisii in rural Kenya. Duncan is currently struggling to walk. An MRI exam identified canal stenosis and bone degeneration, so doctors have recommended surgery. He is scheduled for L4/5, L5/S1 Decompression, and Spine Fusion to avert chances of being immobile for the rest of his life. The hospital is requesting $1,500 to perform his surgery and his health insurance coverage will not cover this care. He currently relies on well-wishers to pay for his medical bills. Duncan told us, “I cannot walk well without support. I am also in pain and very uncomfortable. I hope to get better soon.”

Eh is a 16-year-old boy who lives with his parents and cousin in the refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province in Thailand. His family receives 1,180 baht (approx. 39 USD) every month on a food card from the organization The Border Consortium. This amount is not enough to cover their daily needs despite receiving free basic health care and education in the camp. To help make ends meet, Eh’s father works as a security guard in the camp too, earning 800 baht (approx. 27 USD) in a month. In addition to this, Eh’s mother and cousin work as day labourers whenever they find work. Eh also works with them during his summer vacations. In May, Eh climbed up a ladder to lay down and rest in a bamboo hut on stilts. While trying to sit down, one of the bamboo sticks rolled out from under him and Eh fell through the floor of the hut. Putting out his left arm subconsciously to break his fall, Eh ended up landing on that arm. Currently, Eh's arm is in a sling and he is taking pain medication to control the pain. If he moves his left arm or tries to lift his arm, he feels a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Eh will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 28th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will help Eh be able to use his arm again and he will no longer be in pain after surgery. Eh shared, “I want to become a literature teacher as it is my favorite subject. After surgery, I hope that I can go back to school with my arm healed."

Robert is a 37-year-old matatu taxi driver with two children. Recently, Robert was involved in a traffic accident where he sustained multiple fractures in his legs. He has difficulty walking and can no longer work as a driver. Fortunately, with the support of Watsi donors he was able to have his first surgery and now surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), are able to help with his final repair. On August 5th, Robert will undergo a second fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will allow Robert to walk with more ease. AMH is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. "I am hopeful I will be able to walk again. I am halfway there. I know with this surgery, I will be able to use my legs and get back to working again,” shared Robert.

Yorn is an 81-year-old retired farmer. He has three sons and three daughters. He also has several young grandchildren who visit him often. He lives with his wife and his youngest daughter, who is also a farmer. Since retiring, he spends most of his time taking care of his grandchildren, and traveling with his wife and daughter to local pagodas. Eight years ago, Yorn developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled there with his daughter seeking treatment. On May 14th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Yorn shared, "I hope that after my surgery my daughter will not have to do so much work to help me. I hope I can take good care of my grandchildren, and take better care of myself. I want to go with my wife to travel to pagodas."