Meet Kheang, a 67-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Kheang is married with two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. She enjoys visiting the pagoda and cooking food for the monks," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). One year ago, Kheang developed mature cataracts in each eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. "This causes her blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for her to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside," CSC explains. After learning about CSC, Kheang and her granddaughter travelled five hours to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Kheang's sight. With $225, Kheang will undergo cataract surgery, during which her old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants, allowing her to see again immediately after her operation.

Yar Blu, a 16-month-old girl, lives in a refugee settlement with her parents and eight older siblings. The family has resided in the camp for ten years. The father works as a medic at the clinic in the camp and the mother previously taught in the camp until the birth of Yar Blu. The father’s income is not sufficient to meet the basic financial demands of such a large family. Yar Blu was born in a hospital, rather than the camp clinic, because her mother had a medical condition called eclampsia that dictated the delivery should be done in a fully equipped hospital. At the time of birth, her mother and physician noted the presence of a small mass on the bridge of her nose. Fluid was also leaking from the mass. However, Yar Blu received no care as they were unable to afford it. At the present time, Yar Blu is not displaying symptoms, other than the increasing size of the mass. She is very active and alert; however, the risk of cognitive impairment increases over time. The mother has no predetermined ambitions for her child; she said that Yar Blu could do whatever she wishes when she grows up. Successful surgery will give Yar Blu the chance in life that she deserves.

Antony is a 44-year-old man who has been diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a bone infection, after a road accident in 2007. He is a father to two children, and separated from his wife in 2009. He has since moved back to his rural home in Kenya. In January of 2007, Antony was in a road accident and suffered multiple injuries. Since then, he had been to various hospitals, and had several surgeries, all in an attempt to improve his health. In our hospital partner's facility, Antony has had several surgeries on his left leg. He has used all his savings, as he has not had any meaningful source of income since his accident. Antony has even conducted several harambees, which are events held to raise funds, to help clear his medical bills. Antony's last surgery was in January of 2016, and he is in need of financial assistance to access further medical treatment. If not treated Antony may not be able to walk well again. There is possibility of severe infection that may result in amputation. $1,500 will cover the cost of of bone transport surgery to cure Antony's osteomyelitis. Portions of the bone that are infected will be removed, with the empty space being filled by bone or tissue from a different area to restore blood flow. After recovery, Antony will be able to continue working and live his life without the possibility of amputation. “I want to be well to earn a living for myself," he shares. "[I want to] write a book on experiences with broken limbs."

Dennis is a 23-year-old father to one son. He is a hardworking man and a loving husband to his wife. Dennis and his family live in a small bamboo house in the Philippines. His wife stays at home with their son while he works as a contractual laborer, making about $80 a month. Three years ago, Dennis felt pain in his inguinal area but did not have any consultation because of financial issues. The pain worsened while he was working as a laborer because he was lifting heavy objects at work. Dennis was unable to stop working as his income was the only financial means for his family. Dennis verbalized that he wants to be a reliable provider for his family and now that he is already a father, his first priority is their welfare, even though it means sacrificing his own comforts. Dennis really desires to give his best to provide the needs of their family. Dennis was screened at International Care Ministries, one of Watsi's medical partners. He underwent a series of tests and was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. The doctor strongly suggested that he undergo an emergency operation because Dennis' condition is getting worse. However, Dennis and his family cannot afford the treatment because Dennis' income is only enough for their daily needs. $1,437 will fund Dennis' hernia repair. After the surgery, he is looking forward to seeking a more stable job and to spend time with his family. "I did not expect that my condition would be given attention," shared Dennis. "Now that I have my own family, they are my number one priority and I thought I would have this condition forever. A fellow father may know how I feel. I am thankful that there are still people who are willing to help me. Thank you so much, it means a lot."

Samchai is a 36-year-old farmer. He is married and spends his time at home cooking and planting vegetables. He traveled three hours with his wife to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. Samchai was in a moto accident two years ago. He didn't receive any treatment, he just took pain killers and steroids at home. Recently his hip has become so painful that he has had to stop working because it is difficult for him to walk. Children's Surgical Centre diagnosed him with necrosis of the right femoral neck bone. He requires a total hip replacement on the right side so he can walk again without pain. For $430, surgeons will perform a right side hip replacement surgery. "When I am healed I will go home and go back to working again," shares Samchai.

Bene, a 48-year-old woman, is a merry person and likes to socialize and mingle with people and tell them about her experiences in life. Bene first experienced dysmenorrhea, heavy bleeding, and had felt a small lump in her lower abdomen in 2013. She had sought medical help and had found out that she had an ovarian cyst, myoma and an abscess, and was advised to have hysterectomy surgery. Because of this, she worries a lot because her family only has limited funds and cannot provide for her surgery. Despite her condition, she travels a lot for her small business, but she stopped when she encountered an accident last July 2015. ​Because of the accident, she became handicapped, thus, the husband is the only earner in the family. Though she tried helping her husband who is a fish vendor, she finds it really difficult to go from place to place because she is using crutches. With that, the income is barely enough for their family's daily needs and their son's school allowance, clothing, and school requirements. The hysterectomy surgery would not just relieve the signs and symptoms of the condition she experiences, but it would also prevent her from having worst complications such as cancer and metastasis. For $668, Bene will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. "I would like to thank you first for helping me to have my surgery," shares Bene. "I am actually ready for any surgery because I believe it is the best for me. I don't have any fears as long as it would lengthen my life so that I can be with my family longer. After this surgery I am planning to give attention also to my handicap and find ways to help my husband."​

23-month-old Kervens was born with two holes in his heart: one between the two upper chambers, the other between the two lower chambers. Blood leaks through these holes without first passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Because of the nature of his condition, the only way to know whether surgery is possible for Kervens is to first do a diagnostic cardiac catheterization, in which a catheter probe is inserted into his heart in order to take detailed measurements. The results of this test will determine whether he is operable, and if he is, his doctors will then go on to arrange surgery. This procedure is not available in Haiti, so he must travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo the test. Kervens is a very calm and happy child who likes to be carried and to meet new people. Kervens lives in northern Haiti with his mother, aunt, and an older sister. His mother is currently unemployed and looking for work, and so the cost of the diagnostic test that her son urgently needs is beyond her financial means. "My family is all praying that the test will go well and Kervens will be able to have his surgery," Kervens’ mother shares.

Nine-month-old Konjit was born with a birth defect called anorectal malformation. "She has only one functional hole," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "As a result, she cannot pass stool and urine in a normal way. Both come through only one hole." Due to the absence of her anus, Konjit is also exposed to infection and irritation. Konjit’s parents are from the southern part of Ethiopia. Both her parents are farmers with low income that can’t cover much more than food. For this reason, they don’t have the capacity to get their child the treatment she needs, and to pay her medical bill. Konjit is very beautiful and enjoys playing and laughing with her mom. This condition is causing her parents a lot of worry. Treatment for Konjit is a three-part surgery. Konjit may or may not need a colostomy - doctors will determine this after the first surgery. If in case colostomy is done, she will have a colostomy closure in 2-3 months after the anorectoplasty procedure. AMHF expects that after treatment, Konjit will be able to pass stool and urine normally, and the risk of infection and irritation will be reduced. “I have been in different hospitals but I couldn’t get any solution because of my low financial status," shares Konjit's mother. "When we come here all we have is a glimpse of hope for our baby to get the treatment. And it is our prayer for our hope to come true."

“I want to go back to school and live a normal life,” shares Wesly, a 20-year-old student living in Haiti. Wesly has been diagnosed with a heart defect called mitral and aortic regurgitation. As a result of this condition, two of Wesly’s heart valves cannot pump blood regularly. Wesly's heart is now starting to fail. “Without urgent surgery, this condition would be fatal," says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Wesly lives with his aunt and grandmother, who have raised him since he was little. He is a junior in high school and he enjoys riding his bike and reading books when he is not working on his dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. HCA has raised $12,000 to cover the cost of Wesly's heart surgery. However, an additional $1,500 is needed to fund surgery preparation and overseas transportation, as this specialized procedure is not readily available in Haiti. During surgery, “one or possibly two artificial valves will be implanted in Wesly’s heart, replacing the damaged ones,” HCA explains. Once he receives surgery, “he should be able to lead a near-normal life although he will require daily blood-thinning medication for the rest of his life, and periodic blood tests.”

“I hope to become a primary school teacher when I grow up,” says Lucy, a 17-year-old student from Tanzania who is the sixth of seven children in her family. At school, Lucy works hard in her classes and enjoys playing netball, and at home, she helps her mother with the evening chores. “Lucy has a mass on her left radial bone which became visible when she was nine years old,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Very slowly, the mass has been increasing in size, and it is now painful when she goes about her activities such as lifting a bucket of water or washing clothes.” Treatment for Lucy entails surgery to remove the mass to prevent further growth and relieve the pain that she experiences with activity. “If not treated,” AMHF explains, “the mass may become cancerous as it continues to grow.” Lucy’s father owns a small shop where he sells spare parts for bicycles and motorcycles, and her mother makes soap to sell. They also maintain a small farm to raise food to feed their family. Despite their hard work, they are unable to afford the surgery that Lucy needs. For $920, Lucy will undergo surgery to remove the mass on her arm. Funding also covers the costs of pre and post-operative consultations, six days of hospital care, lab work, imaging, medicine, and six weeks of accommodations at the Plaster House for recovery and rehabilitation. After surgery, “The pain and swelling on the radial bone will be gone, allowing Lucy to perform various activities comfortably,” says AMHF.

Mu is a 38-year-old woman who lives in a rural Burmese village with her husband, son-in-law, five daughters, and ten-month-old grandson. Her eldest daughter got married last year, the middle two attend school, and the younger ones live at home. “Mu’s family harvests rice and grows vegetables on their land,” says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “They also keep chickens and pigs, which they occasionally sell when they need money.” Mu has a myoma -- a noncancerous growth in her uterus. “She can feel the mass in her abdomen and cannot sleep well due to back and abdominal pain,” BBP explains. “As she is unable to afford treatment in Burma, she has to cross the Thailand border to seek medical care. Each time she comes to Thailand, she has to stop working and take out a small loan to cover transportation costs.” Treatment to remove Mu’s myoma costs $1,500. This cost covers transportation to Thailand, a CT scan, and outpatient visits pre-surgery. “Once Mu has received treatment, she will be able to go back to work with her family and will not have to borrow money to cross the border,” BBP continues. “This will enable her to support her children to go to school and pursue their own interests. She will also be free from pain and discomfort and be able to live a life full of dignity.” “In the future, I will go back to my work on the farm – I am happy to stay in my village,” shares Mu. “I will be so happy to have surgery. I feel like I am carrying something inside so I want to take it out.”

Three-year-old Neymarah lives in Haiti with her mother, who works as a tailor, and her grandmother. She likes to help her mother prepare the fabric for the school uniforms that she makes. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us, “Neymarah was born with a condition called complete atrioventricular canal defect, in which blood mixes between all four chambers of the heart without fully obtaining oxygen. This leaves her weak and out of breath and would eventually be fatal.” Neymarah needs surgery to create two functioning valves between the upper and lower chambers on both sides of the heart and to place patches over the existing defects (holes). “Following surgery,” says HCA, “Neymarah should have normal circulation restored to her heart. She should not need further surgery in the future.” For $1500, HCA will provide the overseas preparation and transportation required for Neymarah’s surgery. MECENAT is donating $5000 to cover the remaining treatment costs. Neymarah is excited to start preschool after surgery. Her mother shares, "I want Neymarah to be able to walk to and from school like the other children."