Srey Pov is a 46-year-old garment worker. She has been divorced for ten years and has one son and one daughter who are both students. She and her children live in Phnom Penh City. When she is free from work, she likes to listen to music on her phone. About ten years ago, Srey Pov developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and poor vision. 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. When Srey Pov learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. Srey Pov needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for April 28th. Srey Pov said: "I hope after surgery the irritation and burning in my eye will stop. I want to continue my work, do housework and go outside like before."

Renatus is a seven-year-old boy in grade 1 from Tanzania. He is smart, charming, and enjoys playing with everyone he interacts with. Whenever engaged in conversation, he exudes confidence. Renatus is the younger child in a family of two siblings. His parents are farmers and livestock keepers, making every effort to provide for their family. However, inflation makes it challenging for them to meet all their needs. During his early growth stages, Renatus effortlessly went through crawling, standing, and beginning to walk. However, as time passed and he started walking more, his legs began to show signs of bowing. This concerned his mother, leading her to take him to the hospital for evaluation. The doctor advised starting him on calcium therapy, but unfortunately, the treatment proved ineffective. Consequently, the mother sought another medical opinion from various medical centers, but the condition continued to worsen as Renatus grew older, making it increasingly difficult and painful for him to walk. Renatus and parents traveled 6 hours to seek treatment. He was diagnosed with a wind-swept deformity, which affects both of his legs, leading to reduced stability while walking. He was also diagnosed with clubfoot of both feet, a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. These conditions cause difficulty in walking and wearing shoes. He has become less confident during playtime, as he frequently trips and falls. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) determined that the best course of action is corrective surgery to improve Renatus’s quality of life. Surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 2nd. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Renatus's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily. Renatus’s mother said, "I wish my son to have a good life ahead free from any defect. I hope this treatment will make it possible for him to have a good future.”

Susan is a soft-spoken woman from Kenya. She is a widow and a mother of six children who are now all adults. She currently resides in her ancestral home in Limuru, Kenya. For four months, Susan has been experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition that impacts her quality of life. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Susan's national health insurance coverage has not been active, and despite reactivation, she will have to wait for more than 60 days before using it. However, she is unable to continue living with her condition as is and urgently needs to undergo her procedure to rid her body of the risk of cancer. Her family cannot afford her treatment and is appealing for financial assistance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1260 to fund Susan's surgery. On June 1st, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Susan will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Susan says, “I am old and need to get treatment for this bleeding condition. It is very uncomfortable.”

Sam Art is a 63-year-old retired rice farmer from Kandal province, Cambodia. She lives near her younger sister, who helps support Sam Art by working in a nearby rice field. They spend much of their time together and enjoy volunteering at the pagoda in their village. About four years ago, Sam Art developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Sam Art learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled two hours seeking treatment. On August 7th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Sam Art is able to contribute $50 to the cost of the surgery and is asking for help to raise the remaining $253 to fully fund the procedure. She shared, "After surgery I want to plant some vegetable to sell in my village and help support myself and my sister."

Wilna is a 13-year-old student from Haiti. Her family lives in a rural area in northwest Haiti, as Wilna's parents both work as farmers. Wilna is in the sixth grade and enjoys her math and social studies classes. Wilna has a cardiac condition called severe mitral regurgitation, which means one of Wilna's heart valves was damaged due to an infection she experienced earlier in childhood. As a result, Wilna's heart is not adequately pumping blood through her body. The care that she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately, Wilna will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On July 26th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair her damaged heart valve or implant an artificial replacement, so that her heart can pump blood normally. Wilna's family is requesting assistance to cover the costs of her surgery prep, as our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is contributing the funds to cover the cost of surgery. HCA is requesting $1,500 to cover Wilna's surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA's social workers to accompany Wilna and her family overseas. Wilna shared, "I am glad to be having this surgery so that I will be able to walk without feeling tired."

Phorn is a 63-year-old retired rice farmer. She has one son, two daughters, and six grandchildren. She lives alone near her son. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Phorn developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her discomfort (photophobia), itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, impacting her independence and ability to go places and do things alone. When Phorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for over three hours seeking treatment. On September 5th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Phorn says, "I hope that after surgery I will see better. I want to recognize people’s faces and go to the pagoda by myself."

Korn lives with her sister and works as a rice farmer. She enjoys cooking and planting vegetables. In January 2021, Korn was knocked to the ground by a cow. She spent a month going to a Khmer traditional healer where natural medicine was given to her, but the fracture on her right wrist and the dislocation of her right elbow did not heal. A friend in her village recommended for Korn to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). She was able to visit the hospital and now surgeons want to perform an open reduction procedure on her right elbow to heal her injuries. Our medical partner CSC is requesting $412 for the surgery to allow Korn to use her right arm again. Korn said, "I hope I can bend my elbow like normal again."

Lomoro is a 15-year-old teenager and the last born child in a family of six children. Lomoro has not had the chance to join school due to the size of his family and financial challenges. Lomoro and his siblings look after their father's cattle, which requires them to walk a long distance in search of pasture and water. Lomoro was diagnosed with genu valgus, or knock knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Lomoro is currently having difficulty walking and he can no longer go out grazing the cattle. He is forced to stay at home to rest. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Lomoro. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 9th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lomoro's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lomoro shared, "I am now seen as the weaker one in my family because I am exempted from most of the daily home activities due to my leg. I need help for my surgery. Thank you for your support."

Sambath is a 68-year-old potter with two daughters, five sons, and 17 grandchildren. Sambath lives with her husband and their youngest daughter who is a farmer. Sambath used to make pots and sell them at the market, but now she stays at home due to her poor vision. She enjoys listening to Khmer and Indian dramas on TV. Three years ago, Sambath developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her sensitivity to light and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sambath learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 31st, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sambath shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see clearly so I can go outside and recognize my family members. I want to help my daughter cook and be able to take care of my grandchildren."

Byamugisha is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Byamugisha is a father of eight children. He lost his first wife in 2013 but has married again. He currently earns a living from small scale framing where he grows cabbages and tomatoes. Byamugisha has been experiencing a painful back swelling for the past three months. Byamugisha traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 18, surgeons will remove the mass causing the swelling. Now, Byamugisha needs help to raise $196 to fund this procedure. Byamugisha says, “I look forward to having better health through your support so that I can continue with farming to support my family.”

Nyirantozi is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. Nyirantozi is a mother of six but shared that she has lost three of her children. Her living children are all married and are only able to offer limited support to her due to their education background along with their personal responsibilities in their respective families. Nyirantozi and her husband's farming output is considerably low because of their age; they survive on the little support they obtain from their relatives and friends. They own a two room semi-permanent house for shelter. During her free time, she likes very much playing with her grandchildren. Ten years ago, Nyirantozi began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe neck pain and difficulty in breathing and speaking. She was diagnosed with multi-nodular goitre. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nyirantozi receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on September 3rd at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $293, and Nyirantozi and her family need your support. Nyirantozi says, “I am in severe pain and seek help. I can no longer go to the fields to be able to support my family with food. I will resume farming as soon as possible after my surgery.”

Rachel is a tailor from Kenya. She is a middle-aged woman from the east of the country. Eight years ago, she noted a lump on her right breast and consulted several hospitals. She had FNA tests run and cancer was ruled out. In 2014, she had a lumpectomy but unfortunately, the lump recurred in 2018. She was biopsied in a different hospital and still did not get a cancer diagnosis. Late in 2019, she opted to come to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital where she had several tests done, including an ultrasound and CT scan. Doctors diagnosed early-stage cancer. Rachel returned to the hospital in April and surgery is advised. If not operated on, she is at risk of cancer metastasis, which might result in an early death. Rachel is a mother of two children, ages 10 and 8 years old. She lives in a two-roomed rental house paying $34 per month. She sustains her family through her small tailoring venture in their house. Living with a disability, where she had a right femur osteomyelitis in 1982, she is not able to move with ease, and this limits her ability to earn a better living and lifestyle. She separated with her husband, making it hard for her to meet the daily cost of living. She left her two children with a neighbor to come for surgery and appeals for financial help. Without treatment, her cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $898 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Rachel. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 6th. After treatment, Rachel will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Rachel says, “Thank you for agreeing to support my surgery. I am grateful and look forward to quick recovery.”