Heang is a 70-year-old lotus farmer from Cambodia. She is married with two sons, one daughter, and 11 grandchildren. Her husband passed away four years ago from hypertension. She lives with her son who is a construction worker. Ten years ago, Heang developed a pterygium in right eye, causing her pain, headaches, irritation, burning, and discomfort. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. Her symptoms have gotten worse in the past year. When Heang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for 30 minutes by tuk tuk with her son seeking treatment. Heang needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for July 3rd. Heang shared, "I hope after surgery the irritation stops so I can go outside easily and take care of myself well."

Yar is a 18-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her parents, three younger sisters and three younger brothers in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. Yar and her parents are all too ill to work and are homemakers, while her siblings are students. Her family relies on the monthly food allowance they receive from an organization to get by. They also grow vegetables for themselves to supplement this income. Yar completed grade nine, but felt too ill to return to school this year. In her free time, she likes to weave traditional Karen bags for her siblings and help her mother with household chores. One day in early January 2020, Yar started to experience neck pain, fevers, and chills. When she went to the refugee camp’s hospital, run by the International Rescue Committee (IRC), she was diagnosed with tonsillitis and was given oral paink medication and antibiotics. During her follow-up appointment, the medic gave her more of the same medications. After her follow-up appointment, Yar felt a small growth with her tongue inside her bottom left jaw behind her front teeth. She told the medic about this at her next appointment, but it was not checked out and she received more oral medication each week until the beginning of June 2020. During this time, the mass increased in size. In June, she was referred to Umphang Hospital, which then referred her to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for surgery. IRC brought Yar to MSH, where she received a physical examination, a CT-scan, and a biopsy of the mass. The CT result indicated that the mass was benign. In July, when she went back to MSH for her follow-up appointment, the doctor removed the mass in her mouth as well as five of her lower front teeth during surgery. Since the surgery, Yar has experienced swelling where the mass was removed. Daily, she experiences an achy pain in her lower left jaw, her neck and her back. The mass has also returned and is increasing in size. IRC referred Yar to Watsi's Medical Partner Burma Children Medical Fund for assistance accessing treatment in Chiang Mai Hospital. After reviewing a CT scan to confirm her diagnosis, the doctor in Chiang Mai recommended she move forward with surgery to remove the tumor. Now, she is scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 3rd. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Yar shared, "I am scared to receive surgery but I believe that I will be recovered after that so I am happy."

Arabella is a 15-month-old baby from Kenya. Arabella’s mom is a stay-at-home mom and does a bit of farming at home. Her father is a caterer in a nearby school. Arabella underwent a colostomy, in which the end of her colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In Arabella's case, her colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $619 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Arabella. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 19th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. “Please help us. I look forward to see my daughter well,” says Arabella’s mother.

On May 28th 2019, Min was playing tag with his friend in front of his house, when he decided to climb up a tree. Unfortunately, the tree was slippery due to the rainy season, and Min slipped and fell out of the tree. At first, he was able to stand on his right leg, but he was not able to walk. When Min’s mother heard the news, she immediately came to see him. In the morning, his mother and grandmother rented a car and brought him to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). The staff at MTC then sent him to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for an X-ray, which indicated that his left femur was broken. After they received the results of his X-ray, MTC referred Min to Watsi partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for help in accessing the treatment he needed. On May 31st, Min underwent surgery to place a metal rod into his leg. He was discharged from the hospital on June 5th. Within the past two months, Min returned to MSH for three follow-up visits. At his most recent follow-up, he was told his prognosis was good, and he was scheduled for surgery to remove the metal rod on January 2nd, 2020. “I feel normal again,” he said. “I’m no longer in pain. I can walk, sit, and take a shower by myself again. Before, I couldn’t do anything. I could only lay on my back and watch as people around me had to do everything. After my second surgery I want to work with my older brother in the factory.”

Meet Britney, a 14-year-old girl from a village in Meru County. Britney likes socializing and playing handball. She aspires to become a doctor in future to help patients who are going through tough times in the hospital. Britney is the second born in a family of three children. Her father is a small businessman while her mother is a farmer. While playing with a few other girls, Britney slipped in the field and injured her left foot. She has been to different hospitals for x-rays and seeking treatment, but her condition has been worsening. It affects her mobility and is causing her to feel pain anytime she walks. Britney cannot stand for long and doing household duties is also a challenge for her now. Surgery will be of great impact as she will be able to walk without any challenge and the pain which she has been feeling whenever she walks, will be alleviated. “I want my foot to be corrected so that I can walk well like other girls,” Britney told us.

Paul is a manual worker from Kaugi Village in Kenya. He is married and they have five children. Paul, who is the breadwinner in his family, is a casual driver while his wife takes care of the house and their children. In March, Paul was going home after a long day of work when he was hit by a vehicle that did not stop and left him severly hurt on the road. He was helped by good Samaritans and taken to the hospital. He sustained an open fracture on his left tibia/fibula and had an injury on his bladder. He is still in pain and cannot walk on his own. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 3rd, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. After healing, he will be able to walk again and his pain will be gone. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Paul quietly shared, “I have suffered for the last five months and my family needs my support. I am asking for help.” Paul's Pastor added, “I have done my best to help him. I hope he can get help and be well to continue caring for his family.”

Edga is a quiet boy from Kenya. He is the firstborn in a family of two and he likes to play football with other children. Edga lives with his grandmother because his mother unfortunately died five years ago. Edga was born with hemiplegic cerebral palsy. He also has clubfoot, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes him difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Edga traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 17. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Edga's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk well like other children and continue with his education. “My request is for my grandson to receive help and undergo surgery so that he can resume his studies and walk well like other children,” shared Edga’s grandmother.

Htun is a 15-year-old student from Thailand. He lives with his aunt, uncle, three cousins, and a cousin-in-law in a town in Tak Province. Htun is in eighth grade and goes to a Burmese migrant school. Htun has two older brothers who work in a factory in Bangkok. They support Htun occasionally by sending money to Htun's aunt. His aunt, his older pregnant cousin, and his cousin-in-law are homemakers. His two other cousins are students at a Thai school, while his uncle is a farmer who grows rice and corn. Htun's uncle earns a living as a farmer and delivery driver. In his free time, Htun likes to draw cartoons and play cane ball with his friends. On June 8th 2020, Htun was driving back home on his motorbike after visiting his friend. While driving home it began to rain and he fell, landing on his left wrist. Currently, Htun cannot move his wrist and it is swollen and painful. Although he took pain medication, it has not helped him. At night, he feels uncomfortable and cannot sleep well because of the pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Htun will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for July 3 and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Htun will be able to move his wrist and will no longer be in pain. Htun and his family need your help to fund the cost of this surgery. Htun shared, “I am very sad and worry that my hand will not be normal after surgery. In the future, I want to become a famous can ball player."

Nelson is a small business owner from Kenya and a father of four children aged between 1 and 16 years. He operates a butchery in Komarock where he has employed someone to help him after the accident. The wife and children are currently living with his parents in Muranga. His wife is not in any employment and their family solely depends on his business. Nelson lives in a rental house in Komarock and his earnings are not sufficient to meet the cost of living and pay for his surgery. In 2017 Nelson was involved in a road traffic accident in Komarock as he was coming from work. He was rushed to KNH hospital where he underwent surgery. Later his surgical site got an infection and a plan for nail placement to help his fracture was agreed on. He went to St Peter’s Uthiru in 2018 where he underwent the surgery and it was successful. He didn’t heal well so he came to Kijabe Hosopital for clinic where he was booked for surgery. He underwent a 1st stage and 2nd stage bone transport in 2019 and this was funded by the national health insurance fund. Currently, he has an infection and is due for urgent debridement and washout to ensure he can heal. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nelson receive treatment. On June 3rd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure. If not treated, Nelson will be at risk of further wound infection that could lead to amputation. Now, Nelson needs help to fund this $1,242 procedure. ‘I will be happy to go back to work being the sole breadwinner of our family.’ Nelson said.

Phearuos is a 23-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. She is the youngest child of seven siblings. Her patients are rice farmers. Phearuos likes singing and spending time with her family and friends. Fifteen years ago, Phearuos had a serious ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Phearuos experiences ear pain, discharge with a foul smell, and headaches. She has difficulty communicating with others. Despite trying for a long time, Phearuos has had difficultly finding a better job because of her hearing and ear discharge problems. Phearuos traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 28th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Her mom said, "I am happy for her to have this surgery because I worry every day about the headaches and pain and how it could affect her brain. With the hearing problem it is difficult to talk to her as well." "I hope that the surgery will go well and my ear discharge and headaches will go away. I look forward to being able to communicate with people better when my hearing improves," Phearuos said.

Ali is a 1-month-old infant from Ethiopia and is a beautiful baby boy. He has six siblings. He loves to play with his mom and siblings and is exclusively fed breast milk. His father is a day laborer and earns limited income which is sufficient for their family's daily needs, but not more than that. His mom is a house wife and she raises her children full-time. Ali was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Ali is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 2nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ali's procedure and care. After his recovery, Ali will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. His parents shared, “We hope the operation will bring him good health. We were very troubled because of our financial constraint.”

Nay is an eight-year-old boy from Thailand. He lives with his parents and two older sister in in a village in Tak Province. Nay’s mother and his eldest sister work at a sock factory. They receive food and accommodation in addition to a combined monthly income of around 7,000 baht (approx. $234 USD) per month. Nay and his other older sister are students at one of the migrant learning centers in their area, while his father is homemaker. This morning at around 11:00 am, Nay had finished writing his exam at school and was ready to go home. When he saw the school car that had come to bring the students back to their homes, he and some of the other students became excited about going back home. They rushed into the car before the car had come to a full stop. In the chaos, Nay fell out of the car and cried out that his leg is hurt. His teacher ran to help him up, but Nay told the teacher that he could not stand up and that his right leg was in pain. His teacher then arranged for a car to take him to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), where upon arrival the medic examined his leg and informed his teacher that Nay had broken his right femur. The medic also told the teacher that he would need to receive surgery at Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) to help his leg heal properly. Currently, Nay is in pain and he cannot move or lift his right leg. He can only lay down and complains that his leg is in pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Nay will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for March 3rd and will cost $1,500. He will be able to move his leg and walk again after surgery. He will also no longer be in pain.