Rathana is a fourteen-year-old boy who enjoys studying math, and hopes to work in international technology when he grows up. He has one younger sister, and his favorite activities include reading books, exercising with his mother, spending time with his friends, and watching movies. Rathana was born with congenital scoliosis, and is unable to walk for long periods of time, has difficulty breathing, and cannot sleep well. For the past two months, Rathana has been in a halo gravity traction to assist in lengthening his spine prior to his surgery. Surgery will place a growing rod in his spine to straighten out Rathana's spine and achieve maximum correction of his spinal curvature. He will be able to walk, sleep, and breathe easily again. He looks forward to returning to his studies and reuniting with his friends. His mother shared, "I hope that my son's operation will go well and he will be able to do things independently again, and I will no longer have to worry about him and can return to my work."

Aung is a 34-year-old man from Burma who lives with his wife, son, and daughter. Both he and his wife work as government officers. In his free time he likes to read books. Aung was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Aung feels tired, has chest pains, and has difficulty breathing. However, he can eat and sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 27th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to go back to work [as a] healthy [person] and support my family,” said Aung.

Jane is a middle-aged woman who is undergoing serious pain in her spine and waist area. In August 2019, she complained of hip-area pain and had ointment applied. Over the weeks, the pain has become severe accompanied with numbness in both legs. She hardly sits down and has to be assisted to make every move. Pain medicines have not been helpful to her. She had an MRI and was diagnosed with tuberculosis (TB) of the spine. She requires surgery to relieve her of the pain and regain her ability to walk. Jane used to be a peasant farmer while her husband is a driver. The mother of four children is not able to raise the full amount required for surgery. They have managed to raise $1,000 and the national insurance has committed to pay $1,300. The family is hoping to raise the remaining amount from Watsi supporters. Jane says, “I am in severe pain and my prayer is that soon I will be able to walk with ease.”

So is a 40-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his family in Myawaddy Township, Karen State. He is a carpenter while his wife is a homemaker. His mother is retired, and his son goes to school. In his free time, So loves to read the newspaper and magazines, as well as going to the pagoda. In mid-2016, So felt lightheaded one day while working. His friend rushed him to the nearest clinic where the doctor completed a physical examination. He was told that his lightheartedness was caused by the hot weather and he was told to drink more water. The following day, So felt lightheaded and developed a headache. He went to the clinic near his house, where he received an injection and oral medication. This time the doctor told him that his symptoms were due to hypertension and told him to come back to the clinic if he did not feel better. So underwent MRI on 14th of September 2019. The result of MRI shows that there is extraaxial mass with rim calcification along right frontal convexity. The doctor told So that he requires surgery to remove the mass. Presently, So still experiences frequent headaches and bouts of dizziness. He cannot sleep well, and he has trouble focusing. So sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. he is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on October 24th. He is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. So said, "I am ready for surgery. I believe that I will be healthy after that. Now, after taking medications from the hospital, I feel like I have less headache and less dizziness."

Said is an infant from Tanzania. Said is a handsome and cheerful infant. He has been in the hospital for some time being treated off bilateral club foot. He was diagnosed with the condition upon birth and treatment commenced a few weeks later. However, the mother and grandmother could not keep up with the cost of casting and manipulation. They were referred to ALMC where manipulation and casting were recommended. If not treated, Said will be at risk of permanent disability. Said's grandmother is the only provider in the family through subsistence farming. She further has the responsibility of caring for her other children. She is afraid that treatment for her grandson might be halted due to their finances. Fortunately, Said traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on October 11. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Said's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Said will be able to walk with ease and free from permanent disability. Said’s mother says, “I don’t want my son to grow up disabled but we are unable to afford the treatment cost, please help.”

Eh is a 22-year-old woman from Thailand. She was born and lives her parents and younger brother in Mae La Refugee Camp. Her younger brother studies at the bible school at the camp. Eh used to attend the same school as a third-year student, but she had to stop studying when her health deteriorated. Eh's father is a homemaker, and her mother works for the department of health at the camp. In 2017, Eh started to become more tired and began to have difficulty breathing. Her mother took her to the clinic in the camp and the doctor listened to her heart, did an electrocardiogram (ECG) and told Eh’s mother that Eh has a heart disease. She was then referred to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) for further investigation. Eh was not told anything about her condition, and the doctor only informed her parents without telling her. Eh had an echocardiogram (echo) at MSH in December 2018. After the echo, she travelled back and forward several times from Mae La refugee camp to MSH for medical follow-up visits. Finally, the doctor at MSH informed her that she needs surgery. Currently, Eh has dizziness, headaches, tiredness and sometimes experiences difficulty breathing. She sleeps well but has lost her appetite and she sometimes suffers from chest pain. She loves reading and playing football and volleyball in her free time. Eh was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sick and short of breath. Eh is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on October 5th to correct her condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Eh's procedure and care. Eh said, “All my classmate graduated, and I want to as well, but I am tired of studying and when I think about this, I cry”.

Wilson is a teenager from Tanzania. Wilson is seventeen years old boy and the last born child in a family of six children. Wilson loves playing soccer with his friends but now he says playing football has become hard since he lacks strength on both of his legs and he can’t run due to his knocked knees. He was able to study until class seven but he did not pass his final exams to join secondary school. He didn’t want to repeat the class again. Wilson’s mother has been working as a cook for over twenty years working at someone’s house. Through her little income, she has been able to make ends meet for her family of six. Wilson was diagnosed with genu varus. His legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, He cannot walk without difficulty. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Wilson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 27. Treatment will hopefully restore Wilson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Wilson says “My legs were able to be corrected and now I no longer have knocked knees but I need another surgery to correct the bowing and help make my legs better, please help me”

Gerald is a man from Kenya. Three months ago, Gerald fell into a construction ditch. He sustained a traumatic left tibia fibula fracture. He is not able to walk without support and is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 3, Gerald will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $968 to fund this procedure. Gerald says, “If I could be walking now I could be looking for work. I have faith that I will walk again."

Loyce is a devoted mother of five from Malawi. Since 2014, Loyce has been experiencing severe abdominal pain. She has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids. She needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $650 to fund Loyce's surgery. On May 30, she will undergo gynecological surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and seven nights of hospital stay. She says, "Thanks so much for this program because the money to pay for my treatment was missing, so I thank you so, so much!"

Alfred is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is the father of a young baby. About two weeks ago, Alfred was in grisly road accident that left him with injuries. He is not able to walk on his own and he is in a lot of pain. He is not able to work and provide for his family. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 3, Alfred will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. He will be able to go back to work and care for his family. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Alfred says, “I am in much pain and appeal for financial assistance. Once healed I will get a job to provide for my family."

Tha Mee is a 19-year-old wife and mother from Burma. She lives with her husband, her son, her parents, two brothers and a sister. In her free time Tha Mee likes to cook and wash. Tha Mee has a gallstone and suffers from pain in her back and waist. She has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Tha Mee's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Tha Mee is scheduled to undergo her biliary obstruction repair on April 4. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Tha Mee's procedure and care. Tha Mee says, “If I finish surgery and feel better, I will go back home and take care of my son.”

Heh Khu is a seven-year-old from Burma. He lives with his parents and five other siblings in Ei Thu Hta village, Hpa-pun Township, Karen State. His parents are farmers. He loves to draw in his free time. When he was one year old, he complained that his right eye was itchy and painful. He then lost vision in his right eye. Doctors want Heh Khu to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose his condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $469 to cover the cost of Heh Khu's CT scan and care, scheduled for March 5. His mother says, "I am sad to see my son in pain and that he cannot see things."