Rin is a traditional Khmer cake seller from Cambodia. Her husband died during the Khmer Rouge regime many years ago. She also shared that her son and daughter have passed away. Rin lives alone and makes Khmer cakes to sell at the market. She spends her time meditating and going to the pagoda. Three years ago, Rin developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, photophobia, and sometimes tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Rin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 4th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract 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 $229 procedure. Rin says, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can take care of myself and be independent."

Lek is a 68-year-old who is married with three sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren. She lives with her husband and one of their sons, and they are vegetable farmers in Kampot Province in rural Cambodia. When she is not cooking, cleaning, or selling vegetables at the local market, Lek finds it calming to listen to the local monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, the retina of Lek's left eye detached, causing her deteriorating vision. She noticed a change in her eye, but could not afford to see anyone to help fix it. When Lek learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and half hours seeking treatment. On January 12th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $648 procedure. "I hope after surgery my eye will get better. I can look after my grandchildren, cook for them, and walk them to school," shared Lek.

Phat is a 50-year-old laborer. He is married and has two sons, two daughters, and one grandson. Phat lives with his wife and their children. At home he likes to watch Khmer boxing on TV. One year ago, the retina of Phat's left eye detached, causing him partial blindness and tearing. When Phat learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 26th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $648 procedure. Phat says, "I will feel happy when my eye heals because I can return to working and helping my wife on the rice field."

Chy is a 58-year-old farmer. He's married and has two sons, four daughters, and 10 grandchildren. Chy's wife is also a farmer along his side. In September 2021, Chy felt itching on his left thigh after a day fishing on a lake. He took some herbal medicine but after eight days his leg developed a blistered and infected wound. The necrotic wound is now infected and growing. When Chy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to to heal his infected wound. Now, Chy needs help to fund this $474 procedure. Chy said, "I really hope my wound will heal soon."

Naw Eh is a 11-year-old girl who lives with her mother, five brother and two sisters in a refugee camp. She and her siblings study in the refugee camp while her mother weaves traditional indigenous Karen shirts to earn extra income for their household. In her free time, Naw Eh loves to play with her younger brother at home. Sometimes, she will play with her friends close to her house. She wants to be an English teacher at a primary school in the future. In late July 2021, Naw Eh went out to buy some snacks from a shop. On the way to the shop, she slipped and fell on the muddy road. When she fell she hurt her left leg. Since she was able to walk slowly, the medic in the camp did not think her leg was broken and only gave her pain medication. On 19 August 2021, Naw Eh lost her grip when she was sitting down in a chair and fell down. This time she could not stand up or walk. After a doctor at Mae Sariang Hospital diagnosed her with a fractured femur, she was referred to Chiang Mai Hospital for further treatment. At that hospital, the doctor told Naw Eh's brother that they want to do an MRI of her leg to check if she has any underlying conditions that caused her to break her femur so easily. With support from Watsi, the MRI was possible and now the surgeon has determined that surgery is required to help her leg heal properly. Currently, Naw Eh suffers from pain in her left leg and she cannot move or put weight on that leg. If she moves her leg, the pain increases. Her brother needs to help her use the bedpan as she cannot walk to the toilet. He also needs to help her get dressed. She is taking pain medication to help her sleep at night. She is worried that if her condition is not treated properly, she will never be able to walk again. She misses going to school and wants to continue her studies in grade four once her school reopens. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Naw Eh will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 2nd and will cost $1,500. After surgery, Naw Eh will no longer experience pain in her leg and she will be able to get herself dress and be able to walk to the toilet. Naw Eh said, "I am worried that if I do not receive surgery and receive proper treatment, I will not be able to walk again."

Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend's family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daughter and her friend’s two children study at a migrant school. Kyin used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but stopped two months ago when her vision deteriorated. In her free time, Kyin likes to garden and clean her house. Kyin has lost most of the vision in both of her eyes. Sometimes her eyes are watery and itchy, and if she tries to focus on identifying someone’s face, her eyes will hurt and she will develop a headache. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On June 7th, doctors will perform a lens replacement in both eyes, during which they will remove Kyin's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kyin shared, “I hope that I will get better soon so that I can go back to work. I want to support my daughter so that she becomes an educated person. I also want to build a new house and live with my daughter happily for the rest of my life.”

Dib is a hardworking 71-year-old rice farmer. He has six children and 25 grandchildren. Dib currently lives with his wife and their second daughter, who is a rice farmer. He enjoys going to the pagoda to participate in ceremonies and watching the news on TV. Four years ago, Dib developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Dib learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On June 22nd, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Dib is optimistic, "I hope after surgery I can see well so I can visit my relatives and even go back to the ceremonies at the pagoda by myself."

Yin is a 62-year-old woman who lives with her husband, daughter, son in-law, and granddaughter in a refugee camp on the Thai-Burma border. She is a homemaker, and she loves cooking and cleaning around her house. In her free time, Yin loves to play with her granddaughter. Her husband is retried, and her son in-law is unemployed. Yin’s family receives 800 baht (approx. 27 USD) on a cash card every month to purchase rations. This income is just enough for their daily needs, but they cannot afford to pay other costs like healthcare. Currently, Yin has limited vision and can only make out if it is dark or light outside with her right eye. The vision in Yin’s left eye is starting to blur, and she cannot see far with her left eye. She is worried that she will lose vision in both of her eyes. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Yin. On June 8th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Yin's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Yin shared, "Before my vision started to blur, I used to make and sell mohinga [a type of Burmese noodles]. With the money that I earned from selling mohinga, I was able to buy vegetables for my family. However, when the vision in my right eye vision became blurred, I could no longer make mohinga anymore. I hope that my vision will be restored after I complete my treatment.”

Chan is a 37-year-old rice farmer. He's married and has a one-year-old daughter. His wife is also working as a rainy season rice farmer. Chan enjoys listening to the news and taking care of his daughter. In May of 2021, Chan was injured by a large piece of falling wood when he was cutting a tree, causing fractures on his arm and elbow. After the accident, Chan first turned to Khmer traditional medicine for treatment, but his condition did not improve. It is still difficult to for him to use his hand and he still experiences chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On June 23rd, Chan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will let him use his left hand easily again. Chan shares, "I am so thankful for the help and hope I will heel soon so I can return to work."