Victorino is a hardworking father from the Philippines who works as a motorcycle taxi driver. One year ago, Victorino began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating pain in the lower left part of his ribs making it difficult for him to breathe, stand, or walk. This directly affected his work and his income. Victorino was diagnosed with stones in his gallbladder and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Victorino is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 5th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1128 to cover the cost of Victorino's surgery and care. Victorino shared, "Thank you to Watsi and Our Lady of Peace Hospital for all the help they have extended to me. This surgery will not just help me but also my family. I am very grateful. I hope you will be able to help more people like me."

Donnalyn is a hardworking woman from the Philippines. She works as a factory worker and currently resides with her partner. Even though her partner is also working, their combined income is only enough for their household expenses. One year ago, Donnalyn began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating stomach pain and frequent acid reflux. She was diagnosed with gallstones and kidney stones. She could not afford the surgery and treatment at the local hospital. Donnalyn has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Donnalyn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 9th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Donnalyn's surgery and care. Donalynn shared: "I have not availed of the free surgery yet but I am already very grateful to everyone who will help me. I will never be able to avail the needed surgery even if I borrow money from everyone I know, so I am truly grateful."

Aung is a 19-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his aunt and uncle who are both shopkeepers. Last year, while Aung was working on a car’s engine, a piece of the car hit him in his left eye, causing a serious eye injury. Aung began to experience immense pain in his left eye and was unable to see. Aung was diagnosed with retinal detachment, a condition in which the retina pulls away from the supportive tissue in the eye, resulting in vision loss. If left untreated, he could lose his vision completely. Aung is scheduled to undergo surgery to reattach his retina on April 1st. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. After surgery, Aung's vision will hopefully be restored and he will be able to resume his daily activities comfortably. Aung said, "Once I recover, I am determined to work as a truck driver. When I have enough money, I will start running an automobile accessories shop. This organization and donors have given me the chance to fulfill my dreams."

Mu is a 62-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her family in a village in Tha Song Yang District, Tak Province. She works as a day laborer and housekeeper. She also collects and sells recyclable materials for additional income to support her daily needs. In September 2023, Mu accidentally fell down the stairs and fractured her hip, making it difficult for her to walk and move her legs. She is in constant pain, affecting her ability to sleep and perform her daily tasks. Fortunately, Mu learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Mu of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for March 1st and Mu needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. “I felt sad and depressed when I realized I needed surgery because I couldn’t afford to pay for it,” said Mu. “I am also concerned about my ability to take care of myself. I was thrilled and felt grateful to all the donors and BCMF when I learned they would help pay for my treatment. I want to take care of myself without anyone’s help. I don’t want to put anyone under unnecessary pressure. Along with that, I want to walk like I used to again.”

Alexander is a 7 year-old student from Haiti. Alexander lives with his parents and younger sister in a small rural community. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and helping his family with farm chores. Alexander has a cardiac condition called double ventricular septal defect. Two holes exist between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through these holes without passing through Alexander's lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Alexander will need to travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On January 30th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew patches over the holes so that blood can no longer leak through them. Alexander's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and follow-up. 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 Alexander's family. Alexander's mother shares: "Our family feels very blessed to know that our son can have this chance for surgery!"

Lim is a 61-year-old rice farmer living with her husband in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia. They have two sons, three daughters, and three grandchildren. One son is a monk and her youngest daughter is a student in the twelfth grade. The other children are all construction workers. She and her husband work all day in the rice paddies to ensure the children have completed school and can support themselves. After work, Lim likes to listen to the monks chanting on the radio or visit the local pagoda for ceremonies. For the past several months, Lim has had an ulceration on the side of her mouth. She visited a government hospital, where she was given medication, but it does not heal and has continued to grow. The lesion bleeds when touched and is very painful for her. She is frequently nauseated and has difficulty chewing and swallowing. Lim has now been diagnosed with oral cancer. The government hospital recommended chemotherapy, but she is unable to afford the care. Fortunately, doctors at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Lim will undergo cancer surgery to remove and replace the bone. Her surgery, medications, and post-operative care will cost $726. Lim says, "I hope after surgery I will feel better, have no pain and can go back to the rice field to help my husband."

Saw resides in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma Border with his wife, two daughters, and son-in-law. His wife is a homemaker, and Saw stopped working as a day laborer due to his worsening health. He is proud of his family: One of his daughters is a student, the other is a pharmacist, and his son-in-law is a medic at the camp's hospital. He likes to forage for vegetables in his free time. Saw has been diagnosed with a right irreducible inguinal hernia and is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery in October. This surgery is essential to relieve his pain and discomfort and improve his overall quality of life. Saw said, “I want this discomfort and pain to disappear. I cannot do anything because of the pain. I hope that after surgery, I will be able to have a normal life again and will no longer be in any discomfort.”

Eh Sha is an 8-year-old living in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and other relatives. Eh Sha's mother is a midwife and her father is a medic at the camp hospital. Eh Sha is a primary school student. During her free time, she enjoys drawing, singing, and learning to play piano. When she was four, Eh Sha had a high fever and a sore throat. Although the fever subsided, her tonsils remained inflamed, causing her to experience occasional bouts of tonsillitis every three or four months. On September 17th, Eh began experiencing fever and sore throat. The doctor at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) diagnosed her with chronic bilateral tonsilitis and tonsil enlargement. The doctor wants to perform a tonsillectomy, a procedure to remove her tonsils, and scheduled the surgery for October 30th. Currently, Eh Sha has a sore throat and difficulty swallowing, accompanied by fever and joint pain. The surgery will help relieve her pain and discomfort. Eh Sha's mother has big dreams for her future, saying, "I want her to become a healthcare worker who can not only take care of her own health but that of her family and others too."