Erna is a 41-year-old woman and small business owner from the Philippines. She makes a small income from her grilled skewers and juice selling business, along with her husband's work as a company driver. Having had a family history of myoma, a type of tumor that can occur in the uterus, Erna frequently checked herself as a precaution. Unfortunately, in January 2022, she found a mass which was causing minor pain. Erna sought medical consultation and found out that she has myoma. This condition needs to be treated surgically. Erna cannot afford to cover her treatment on her own. Fortunately, a rural health worker helped her reach out to our medical partner, the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. On April 29th, Erna will undergo a hysterectomy to manage her condition and prevent further risk. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,485 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once she recovers, she will no longer have a hypogastric mass or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. “We were anxious when we found out about my condition. It’s also especially hard for us to think where to find the money to finance my surgery," Erna shared. "The support coming from World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi will be a big help for me and my family. Thank you so much for helping people like me," she added.

Jaden is a one-year old boy from the Philippines. His mother is a public school teacher, while his father is an office clerk. They work hard, but their income is not enough to support their son's medical needs. Jaden was born with an anorectal malformation, a birth condition that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction and help him grow up healthy. Jaden is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on January 28th. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,279 to cover the total cost of Jaden's procedure and care. After his recovery, Jaden will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. "Thank you WATSI and WSFP. His operation would be a big help towards his growth and our financial situation," Jaden's mother shared.

Bach is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has a daughter, eight sons, and ten grandchildren. She enjoys meditating and going to the local pagoda in her free time. Two years ago, Bach developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia, blurred vision, and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Bach learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 4, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I want to go to the local pagoda, be able to join in ceremonies and take care of my grandchildren."

Caleb is a baby from Kenya. He lives with his parents in a one-room house in the coastal region of Kenya. His mother is a stay-at-home mom, while his father sells khat. Caleb has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Caleb has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Caleb will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Caleb that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 23 and will drain the excess fluid from Caleb's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Caleb will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “I hope this can be resolved of course with help from Watsi,” shares Caleb’s mother.

Nwet (BB) is a 23-day-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State, Burma. When he was born, the nurses noticed a protrusion on back of his skull, a neurological condition called encephalocele. The protrusion is very sensitive. Doctors want Nwet (BB) to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $469 to cover the cost of Nwet (BB)'s CT scan and care, scheduled for January 13. “We would like our son to become a doctor when he grows up,” says Nwet Yee, his mother.

“I am not scared to get surgery,” Nandar shares. “I believe that it will help me, and that my body will heal fast.” Nandar is a 16-year-old girl who lives in Thailand with her mother. Currently, Nandar works in a textile factory. But Nandar says that she likes to read books and even writes her own stories. She dreams of writing a book someday or becoming a teacher. Earlier this year, Nandar began to experience multiple nose bleeds and heart palpitations. Concerned, her mother took her to the hospital. There, an echocardiogram revealed that Nandar has a condition known as patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). This means that her arteries are not properly moving blood from her lungs to the rest of her body. Because Nandar tires so easily now, she has not been able to work as much as she would like to, which has put financial strain on her and her mother. If left untreated, PDA could also cause Nandar lung damage. Nandar has no choice but to undergo surgery if she hopes to avoid this outcome. However, she and her mother cannot afford the $1,500 needed to pay for her operation on December 11, as well as the associated lab tests and hospital stay. With your help, Nandar can receive her surgery and once more have a functioning heart and lungs. With her health intact, Nandar will be able to pursue the writing and teaching career she dreams of.

Wyndel is a six-year-old boy from the Philippines who loves to play with the children in his neighborhood. Wyndel was recently diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Due to his condition, Wyndel has a weakened immune system, which increases his likelihood of becoming sick. Beginning on July 12, Wyndel will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Wyndel with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimal physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $261 to cover the cost of Wyndel's ongoing care. "I hope Wyndel recovers from malnutrition and finishes his studies someday," his mother says.

Alvin is a 14-month-old baby boy living in a remote mountainous community in the Philippines. Alvin was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on July 7, Alvin will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Alvin with nutrient enriched food packs to help him gain weight and achieve optimal physical and mental development. The program will also teach his family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their son. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Alvin's ongoing care. His mother says, "I hope Alvin will recover and develop a strong, healthy body."

Rosewell is a 17-year-old living in the Philippines with his parents and three siblings. He is in the 10th grade and spends his free time playing guitar, watching basketball, and helping his parents take care of the house. Rosewell was born with an inguinal hernia, which means that his intestines have pushed through the base of his abdomen. While doctors usually perform corrective surgery at birth, his parents were unable to afford the procedure. The hernia causes Rosewell significant pain after eating and when lifting heavy objects. If left untreated, Rosewell's symptoms will continue to worsen. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, has requested $494 to fund Rosewell's surgery, which will take place on October 7. After the procedure, Rosewell is excited to get to play basketball.

Danny is a six-year-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and five other siblings. When not at school, Danny spends time doing homework and playing with his brothers and sisters. When Danny was two years old, his father noticed a swelling in his scrotum and took him to have it checked. Danny was diagnosed with hydrocele, a buildup of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes the scrotum or groin area to swell. This condition requires surgery in order to be corrected. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, requesting $494 to fund Danny's operation. He is scheduled for surgery on August 22 at our medical partner's care center, Western Visayas Medical Center. "We are struggling financially and this is the main reason why our child suffered from this condition until now," Danny's father says. "It will be a big help and comfort to us to see our child without any medical condition."

Julieta is a 47-year-old mother of five children from the Philippines. She lives with her husband and children. During the day, Julieta does chores, cuts grasses on the farm, and looks after her children. 12 years ago, Julieta began to experience troubling symptoms. She experienced difficulty while swallowing, nervousness, shortness of breath, and at times, felt like she was choking. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. On September 8, Julieta will undergo thyroidectomy surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, requests $489 to help fund the procedure to remove the diseased part of her thyroid gland. "It is my long desire that this mass will be operated, for more than 12 years after giving birth to my eldest son, it feels really uncomfortable inside and out," says Julieta. "I hope this time, the surgery will cure my condition."

Jonalyn is a four-year-old girl living in the Philippines with her aunt. Jonalyn's biological parents have separated, and her aunt is her primary guardian. During the day, she helps her aunt do household chores, such as washing the dishes and cleaning the house. When Jonalyn was two years old, she was diagnosed with Hirshsprung's Disease, a congenital disorder where there are missing nerve cells in the muscle tissue surrounding the colon, causing bowel dysfunction. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, has scheduled a procedure to correct this condition. The total cost of the procedure is $1,500, and covers supplies, medications, transportation, and six days of inpatient care. The procedure is scheduled for July 26.