Winnie is a 60-year-old woman from Uganda. She separated from her husband due to family violence and financial difficulties. As a single mother, she has been taking care of her four children, all of whom are attending secondary school, and makes ends meet by engaging in small-scale farming. Winnie is reaching out for support to restore her health and, by extension, her ability to provide for her children. Her treatment will not only alleviate her physical suffering but also empower her to continue nurturing her family and contribute positively to her community. Winnie visited our medical partner due to a mass that has been swelling on the right lumbar region (the area with the gallbladder, liver, and right colon) that has been troubling her for about eight months. She shared that the lump has consistently increased in size over time, thus causing her significant worry and fear that it might be cancerous. She is also unable to sleep on her right side, and the discomfort she experiences disrupts her ability to perform daily activities, especially her work on the farm, which is her source of livelihood. Without proper treatment, Winnie's quality of life will be severely impacted. When she sought medical help before, the doctors prescribed medication to reduce the swelling; however, the mass continued to grow. She was later advised to undergo surgery, but financial constraints prevented her from pursuing the treatment. Fortunately, Winnie was able to travel to our medical partner's care center. On November 7th, surgeons will remove the mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $137 to fund this procedure. Winnie said, “I am currently a single mother with no job, and yet my children need basic needs. This condition has affected me, yet I have no money for treatment. I request for your support thus being able to resume back to farming for a living."

Kimseng, who is 66 years old, is a widowed, retired rice farmer. She has three children and six grandchildren, and lives with her youngest son, who helps to support her by working as a tuk tuk driver. Her other children work in nearby garment factories. While her children are working, Kimseng helps with caring for her grandchildren. Two years ago, Kimseng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and watery eyes. Because of her impaired vision, she is reluctant to go out and do things on her own. When Kimseng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On July 10th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After she has recovered, Kimseng will be able to see clearly again and do more with her family. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Kimseng shared: "I hope after surgery I can do more to take care of the house and my grandchildren, and I won't be afraid to go places on my own."

Beatrice is a 59-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda. She works alongside her husband, but reports they are experiencing reduced productivity due to old age. They own a three-room mud house for shelter. Beatrice has twelve children but unfortunately lost her first four children. Her eldest child is now 38 years old, and her youngest is 22 years old. Farming is the only source of their family’s income. Three years ago, Beatrice developed a small painless swelling on her neck. Over time, the swelling has progressively increased in size. About a year ago, Beatrice began to experience headaches, airway obstructions, and painful swallowing. She has completely stopped farming due to her condition. After seeking help, Beatrice was diagnosed with nodulated Goiter and requires surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Beatrice receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 2nd at our AMH's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $333, and she and her family need help raising money. Beatrice says, “I pray that I may get well through surgery. I will continue with farming after my recovery.”

Maria is an elderly small-scale farmer and mother to five children, sadly, two of whom have passed away. Among her children, she has two sons: one is a teacher, and the other is a builder. Her daughter is pursuing a career as a nurse. She lost her husband twelve years ago, but through her dedication to farming, she has been able to proudly provide education for all her children until they became self-reliant. Although Maria completed primary school, she was unable to pursue her own further studies. Currently, Maria resides with her granddaughter, born to one of her late sons who served in the army. For three years now, Maria has had a left reducible inguinal hernia, a type of painful hernia where soft tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal wall. Maria sought medical care after experiencing swelling, fatigue, and movement-triggered pain that greatly impacted her ability to work and perform everyday activities. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help Maria. On June 6th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. African Mission Healthcare is requesting $230 to fund Maria's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Maria says, “I hope to get well and I will continue living in better health."

Cleophas is a 43-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband practice small-scale farming. They are requesting assistance with Cleophas’s medical care, as undergoing surgery will provide Cleophas with the opportunity to regain her health and resume her work farming to help support their family financially. Sixteen years ago, Cleophas began to experience troubling symptoms, including a mass on her neck. She becomes easily fatigued and can struggle to breathe at times. Given her occupation as a farmer, these symptoms have negatively impacted her ability to work, resulting in a shortage of food at home for her family. Additionally, she faces challenges with speech, swallowing, and breathing. Her condition was diagnosed as a euthyroid goiter. Cleophas needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Cleophas receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 15th at AMH’s care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $252 to fund the cost of her surgery. Cleophas shared: “My condition has over-stayed with me, and I have had the poorest quality of life. Through your support, I will be able to live a positively changed life, thus resuming farming for a living.”

Ann is a 16-year-old student from Kenya. Ann was orphaned when her father took his and her mother's life. Fortunately, Ann, who aspires to become an architect, now lives with relatives who adopted her. In October 2022, Ann was also in a horrible incident and one of her fingers was cut in half. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment, where she underwent surgery. While the right middle finger has healed, it developed a contracture during the healing process. The contracture is causing Ann to experience difficulties when she uses her hand - keeping her from writing and drawing. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ann receive treatment. On May 3rd, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform contracture release surgery, which should improve Ann's grip and her ability to hold things, aiding in her aspirations to become an architect. Now she needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Ann says, “Architects draw building designs; this is what I want to do. I have been through a lot, but I am determined.”

Phoem is an elderly widow from Kompong Speu province in Cambodia. She is a retired rice farmer with one daughter, three sons, and nine grandchildren. She lives alone in a small house near her oldest son, and loves spending time with her family, and watching Cambodian soap operas. About one year ago, Phoem developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her to experience itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, and is uncomfortable going out on her own, due to her impaired vision. When Phoem learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 7th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform small incision cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her right eye. After she has recovered, Phoem will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Phoem shared: "I want to be able to take better care of myself and be able to plant vegetables around my house without my eye causing problems."

Thein resides with his wife and children. He had worked at a gardening job in a park in Bangkok but due to his health condition, he is now unemployed. Thein's wife collects bottles and other recyclable items from the trash and sells them to support the family. During his free time, Thein enjoys singing alone. In the middle of 2021, Thein noticed a black spot on the sole of his right foot. He felt no pain at the time, and the size of the spot remained constant. But in 2022, the black spot began to grow and became painful. Unfortunately, Thein was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on the sole of the right foot. Currently, Thein feels pain throughout his foot, experiences ulcer discharge when walking, and struggles to sleep well due to the pain. An amputation may be necessary. Because of his financial constraints, Thein sought treatment through Burma Children Medical Fund, Watsi's medical partner, for financial aid to access the required surgery. The doctor scheduled a CT scan of Thein's foot and subsequent surgery on 21 August 2023. Thein expressed his gratitude for help, saying: "When I first learned about the diagnosis, my foremost concern was the treatment cost. I am very thankful to all the generous donors for the opportunity to receive treatment."

Jayden is a preschooler from Haiti. Jayden lives with his parents, who are both schoolteachers, and older brother in a small city in the mountains of central Haiti. He likes to draw and is learning to read. Jayden has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect and ventricular septal defect. Two holes exist in his heart, one between the two upper chambers and another between the two lower chambers. Blood leaks through these holes, straining his heart and making it difficult for him to obtain oxygen. Because the surgery he needs is not available in Haiti, Jayden will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On April 28th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use patches to close the holes in his heart so that blood can flow normally. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance is also contributing $9,000 to pay for surgery, but Jayden and his family still need help covering the costs of surgery prep and travel. 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 Jayden overseas. Jayden's mother shared, "Our family has been very frightened for our son's health so we were so happy to get the news that he could have this surgery!"

Grace is a primary school teacher from Uganda. Her husband is also a primary school teacher, and they own a three-room home for their family. Their oldest child is eleven years old and in primary school class five, their second child is eight years old and in primary school class two, and their third child is two years old and hasn’t started school yet. Grace lost her first child shortly after birth due to fetal distress. During her free time, Grace said she enjoys spending time with her family. Grace is expecting a new baby, and her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Cesarean section because of four previous scars. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Grace undergo a C-Section on July 14th. AMH is requesting $214 to fund this procedure. Grace says, “ I pray for a successful surgery. I will continue with teaching after complete recovery.”

Saing is a retired rice farmer from the Prey Veng province of Cambodia. He is 79 and has five daughters, six sons, and twenty-five grandchildren! He lives with his wife and their youngest daughter, who is a construction worker. At home, Saing enjoys going to the pagoda with his friends in the village. About four years ago, Saing developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places independently. When Saing learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On April 25th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund his procedure. Saing contributed $100 to his care. Saing said: "After surgery, I hope I can see more clearly, so I can see my friends and join ceremonies at the pagoda in my village."

Santrina is a small-scale farmer who needs surgery to live pain free. After giving birth to her daughter in 2000, Santrina separated from her husband, who died shortly thereafter. She then decided to return to her maternal home, where she continues to live, supporting herself and her daughter through farming. Three months ago, Santrina began experiencing severe lower abdominal pains. She has also had abnormal and heavy bleeding, which she thought was because of her age. While she hoped that this would normalize over time, she has instead experienced more symptoms including dizziness, and severe pain, which resulted in her being hospitalized. Ultimately, she was diagnosed with multiple uterine fibroids and abnormal uterine bleeding, and doctors have told her that she needs surgery to correct her condition. Because of everything that has gone on, Santrina has had to give up farming, which was her only source of income. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $319 to fund Santrina's surgery, a hysterectomy, which is scheduled to take place on June 9th at Rushroza Hospital. After this procedure, Santrina will be able to resume her life, free from pain. Santrina says, “My family cannot afford the surgery and I ask for assistance. I hope to get well through surgery and be able to live a normal life again and continue taking good care of my family.”