Ma Kyin is a 35-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two daughters in May Pala village, Kyain Seikgyi township, Karen State. She and her husband provide for the family by farming rice fields near their home. For about three years, Ma Kyin has been experiencing discomfort and pain in her abdomen. She has been diagnosed with a uterine mass. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Ma Kyin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Ma Kyin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on January 29. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will be no longer be in pain and she will be able to help her husband with farming again. Ma Kyin said, “I was nervous about surgery at first, but I know that I must get the surgery for my children so I can continue working to provide for my daughters. I want them to attend school and complete their education."

Neema is a farmer from Uganda. He is the youngest of four children. For three years, Neema has had an inguinal scrotal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may result in intestinal tissue damage and death Fortunately, on December 19, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Neema's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, “After surgery I will resume working in my fields.”

Tukamuhebwa is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She is married with two children, and both are still in both school. Seven years ago, Tukamuhebwa began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty breathing and swallowing, discomfort, and disfigurement. She was diagnosed with a goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tukamuhebwa receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 13 at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Tukamuhebwa says, “I will continue with cultivation after surgery as I will be relieved of this condition and be in good comfort.”

Tumuramye is a tailor from Uganda. She has five siblings. Her parents are small-scale farmers. Three years ago, Tumuramye began to experience troubling symptoms, including recurrent headaches and heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with a multi-nodular goiter. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Tumuramye receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on November 20 at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Tumuramye says, “I will continue with tailoring after surgery."

Sumaiya is a three-year-old girl from Tanzania. She the third born in a family of four children. Sumaiya is cheerful girl who loves playing with other children. Her parents are planning to enroll her in school next year. Sumaiya was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs are bowed outward at the 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, she has a difficult time walking and feels pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Sumaiya. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 5. Treatment will hopefully restore Sumaiya's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Sumaiya’s father says, “Please help my daughter get the need surgery and be able to walk well without pain and hopefully next be able to walk to school."

Noch is a bean and rice farmer from Cambodia. He likes to read about Buddha. He has two daughters, four sons, and seven grandchildren. Three years ago, Noch developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, itchiness, tearing, photophobia, and a clouded lens. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Noch learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On September 6, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery 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 eye surgery is successful so I can see everything clear again. I want to do my work, walk to the pagoda, and go outside by myself."

Baby is a playful child from Ethiopia. He is the first born to his family, and his mother is now expecting their second child. He loves to watch animated movies. He also loves to play with his parents and other babies. Baby was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Baby is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on August 30. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Baby's mother says “Since we are financially unable to cover the cost for the hospital cost, we were worried. We are grateful for this opportunity. If not for this support our child won’t get hope of surgery.”

Sary is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He is married and has one daughter. He likes to watch boxing matches on TV. Four years ago, Sary developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing him blurred vision and eye redness. 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. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Sary learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. Sary 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 his procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for July 10. He says, "I hope to continue to plant rice and my crops."

Chai is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family. Chai has poor vision, and he depends on his mother to look after him. He had to drop out of school because his vision is blurry. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Chai. On May 16, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Chai's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. “I would like to go back to school and one day become a primary school teacher,” said Chai.

Kea is a nun from Cambodia. She is married. She has three sons, four daughters, and 41 grandchildren. She likes to watch TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. A year ago, Kea developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Kea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On May 1, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope I can see clearly again so I easily learn more about Buddha and help monks at the pagoda."

Justin is a builder from Malawi. He lives with his wife on their small farm, and they have four young children. When he's not working as a builder or farming his land, Justin likes to spend quality time with his wife. Since July 2017, Justin has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes Justin pain and weakness and makes work incredibly difficult for him Fortunately, on April 03, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Justin's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. Justin was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded, and he is looking forward to going back to his building and farm work. He says, "Thank you, Watsi!"