Hoeum is a father of three from Cambodia. He has two sons and one daughter. He loves to watch boxing matches and news programs on TV. One year ago, Hoeum developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him photophobia, itching, and blurred vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hoeum learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On February 5, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. He says, "I hope my eyesight improves after the surgery so that I can continue my job as taxi driver to support my family."

Nyo is a 16-year-old student from Burma. Her parents are farmers. Two of Nyo's older sisters work in Bangkok, and they send money to help pay for Nyo's school fees. Nyo was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the 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. Nyo experiences chest pain, difficulty breathing, fatigue, and discoloration of her lips. Her symptoms have caused her to miss school, and to frequently be late. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Nyo. The treatment is scheduled to take place on April 2 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. "I would like to become a doctor someday, and help low-income patients in need," said Nyo.

Wadson is a student from Haiti. He lives in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince with his parents and younger sister. He is taking the year off of university because of his illness, but hopes to continue studying to become an engineer. Wadson has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not function properly because it was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. As a result, his heart cannot adequately circulate blood through his body, and he is weak and in heart failure. Wadson will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will repair his valve so that it opens and closes more normally. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Wadson'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 Wadson's family overseas. He says, "I am very excited to regain my health so that I can continue my studies later this year."

Richard is an outgoing 60-year-old man from Kenya. He has two children, whom he is supporting through his casual work as a mechanic. Richard was recently hit by a bus and sustained a closed femur fracture in his left leg. He was brought to a local hospital for treatment. On October 30, Richard will undergo open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair his left leg. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $998 to help fund the treatment on top of the $104 contribution from Richard's family. ORIF treatment will enable Richard to walk again, resume his job as a mechanic, and support his family. If not treated, he may develop complications with delayed healing and malunion. Richard says, “I am hopeful that Watsi will support me so that I can go back and take care of my children since I am their only hope."

Josphat is a farmer from Kenya. He is a married father of four children. Josphat farms a small piece of land, and his wife sells vegetables at their local market. His family lives in a rental house after being displaced from their home in 2008 during Kenya’s post-election violence. In 2008, Josphat broke his right femur and spent a whole year in the hospital. Fortunately, he was treated and continued farming. However, two days ago, he slid and fractured his right femur again. Josphat is experiencing difficulty walking and working. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 16, Josphat will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will able to walk again and provide for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Josphat says, "I wish to be treated and continue providing for my family. They still need my presence and contribution."

Clifaite is a 10-year-old student who lives with his parents and siblings in the mountains of central Haiti. His parents grow crops and additionally work as market vendors. Clifaite is in the fourth grade and enjoys going to school and spending time with his friends. Clifaite suffers from cardiac conditions known as mitral and aortic regurgitation, which resulted from a rheumatic fever that he contracted several years ago. As a result, blood backs up into his heart and does not properly circulate throughout his body, leaving Clifaite weak, short of breath, and at risk of fatal heart failure. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Clifaite's air transportation to his surgery's location site. Once there, Clifaite will receive the treatment that he needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. Clifaite's father says, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping Clifaite get this surgery!"

Stanley is a young child from Haiti. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a small city southwest of the capital. He enjoys listening to music and playing with his toys. Stanley also has Down syndrome. Stanley 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 first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. On October 4, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons, will sew a patch over the hole to close it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Stanley's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "Our family is so happy to know that Stanley's heart can be fixed!"

Clifaite is a 10-year-old boy from Haiti. He is in the fourth grade and enjoys school and spending time with his friends. Several years ago, Clifaite contracted rheumatic fever, which caused damage to his heart. He developed a condition called mitral and aortic regurgitation, where blood backs up into his heart and does not properly circulate through his body. This condition causes Carlos to experience shortness of breath, painful breathing, fatigue, and swelling of the legs. If left untreated, his condition could be fatal. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, Clifaite is scheduled to undergo heart surgery to correct his condition on August 2. Although Clifaite's [transportation](https://watsi.org/profile/9c7612e61dc0-clifaite) to our medical partner's care center has already been funded by Watsi, he is still in need of $1,500 to cover the cost of his heart surgery prep. The organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is also subsidizing Clifaite's surgery, donating $22,000 to cover the rest of his medical bills. "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping Clifaite get this surgery!" says Clifaite's father.

Lin is a 53-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has five sons and two daughters. Lin likes to cut grass for her cows, feed her pigs, and cook for her family. In February 2017, Lin fell down a set of stairs, fracturing her right hip. Hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from her cousin, Lin traveled to CSC with her husband for treatment. On April 27, Lin will undergo a partial hip replacement at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, CSC's care center. CSC is asking for $450 to cover the cost of Lin's treatment, including hospital and physician fees. After surgery, Lin will be able to walk easily again!

Monina is a 46-year-old mother from the Philippines. She has four children and is a loving wife to her husband. For the past 16 years, Monina has had a lump on her neck that continues to increase in size, making it difficult to swallow and breathe. Monina also experiences fatigue while working, which has caused her to take significant time off from her job. Monina sought an evaluation and treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). She was diagnosed with having a goiter and hyperthyroidism, and was advised to have surgery to remove her thyroid. She is now scheduled to undergo thyroid removal surgery on April 20, and is requesting $489 to cover the total cost of the procedure. After she recovers from her surgery, she will be able to work comfortably and provide for her family again. "I am very happy to be a part of the ICM program that gave me a way to access treatment for my condition. I am very thankful to all sponsors who will fund my operation. For 16 years, I have been looking forward for this day to come. It's like a dream come true and I really prayed hard for this. In our current situation right now, I know we cannot raise that big amount for the surgery. I am looking forward to be able to help my husband and our eldest child provide the needs of our family soon after the surgery. Thank you so much," says Monina.

Phea Rum is a 21-year-old from Cambodia who works as a house guard. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music and playing football. He was in a motorcycle accident on May 6 that resulted in a fractured clavicle, or collarbone. He immediately received surgical care, and hardware was placed to help in healing. This hardware is now causing him pain and discomfort. Surgery to remove the hardware is crucial to ensure further complications, such as infections, don't occur. The procedure is scheduled for May 16. Phea was told about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, by a neighbor who received care from them previously. He traveled three hours from home to the care facility with hopes of receiving help. The $149 amount needed for the surgery covers medical, hospital, and surgeon/physician fees. This treatment will alleviate his pain in the previously-fractured area and is also a preventative measure for future medical problems.

Zablon is a two-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his mother, grandmother, and two siblings. His mother is unmarried and stays at home to look after the children, while his grandmother works to support the family. Zablon was born with bilateral clubfeet, a condition in which both his feet are turned inward, making him unable to walk. On February 17, Zablon will undergo surgery at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC), to correct his feet. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $1,160 in funds to cover the cost of his surgery, labs, and casts. “I wish to see my child walking normally, in order for him to attend school and be successful," says Zablon's mother. After recovery, Zablon will be able to walk and will become independently mobile!