Than is a 49-year-old woman who lives with her father in Burma. She works as a fruit vendor and takes care of her father. Than’s health problems started over ten years ago, when she noticed that she had breathing problems. She tried to use traditional medicine to treat herself. At first, Than felt better, but in 2017 her health worsened. She cannot breathe well, and gets tired in hot weather. She underwent a heart examination and was told that she requires heart surgery, which is scheduled for November 20. Than said that in the future, "I want to work as a fruit vendor again and continue caring for my father." Watsi is requesting $1,500 to help fund Than's treatment.

Mary is a nine-year-old student from Kenya. She lives with her parents and has six siblings. Mary’s mother is a subsistence farmer and housewife, and her father is a farmer. Mary has a spinal deformity whereby her spine is curved backward. Two years ago, she visited a hospital for treatment but did not have the funds required to receive treatment. Mary has difficulty with walking and standing. The pain has also impacted her studies. Having heard of Watsi’s programs with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), they decided to seek help. Our medical partner, AMHF, is requesting $1,500 to fund Mary’s surgery. An anterior/posterior spine fusion is scheduled for October 18. “I am appealing to Watsi to help my daughter get treatment as this will brighten her future and improve her self-esteem. I will be happy to see her growth and I wish her the very best in her life," Mary’s mother says.

José is a 79-year-old elderly man who lives with his wife in Guatemala's rural highlands. He and his wife have six children, but only one daughter still lives with them. José used to work as a day laborer, planting and cultivating crops in the local countryside, until an accident that caused him to lose one of his legs rendered him unable to work. Although José's wife began to work in the local market immediately following the accident, the couple still does not have the resources to pay for a prosthetic leg. On June 9, José will receive a specially molded leg fit just for him. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,166 to fund the prosthetic leg, hospital stay, and transportation to fitting and molding sessions. With a prosthetic, José hopes that he will be able to find ways to support his family again. He states, “I hope that with this I will be able to walk well and that I can then help my wife.”

Alejandro is a one-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. He is the first child of his parents. His mother is a homemaker, and his father works in construction. Born prematurely, Alejandro is very small for his age. His mother is unable to produce breastmilk, so he is also malnourished. To stabilize his condition, Alejandro was given a preliminary supply of formula, but he will need additional nutritional support in order grow healthily. Beginning on March 9, Alejandro will be monitored and receive nutritional supplements at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Panajachel. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,162 to fund his nutritional needs and a health education program for his mother. By supplying Alejandro with formula and his mother with health education, Alejandro will receive the calories he needs to grow. One-on-one education with Alejandro’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Alejandro. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. “We are so happy to be parents for the first time, and we want nothing more than for our son to live and be healthy,” says Alejandro’s mother.

Chem is a 78-year-old woman from Cambodia. She and her husband have two sons, four daughters, and 20 grandchildren. Chem likes to plant vegetables around her home and listen to monks pray on the radio. About one year ago, Chem developed a cataract in each eye. A cataract occurs when there is a buildup of proteins in the lens of the eye. This causes the lens to become cloudy, disrupting the passage of light through the lens and impairing vision. Because of the cataracts, Chem is experiencing partial blindness, eye pain, and headaches. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, do any kind of work, or go anywhere on her own. Chem learned about Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor. Chem and her daughter traveled eight hours to reach CSC's care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, for evaluation and treatment. Chem is scheduled to undergo small incision cataract surgery on March 20. A surgeon will remove the cloudy lenses from her eyes and replace them with intraocular lens implants. $292 covers the cost of the surgery, as well as four days of hospital care, eye drops and ointments, medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection, and pre- and post-operative consultations. After surgery, Chem will be able to see everything clearly again. Let's help fund surgery for Chem!

Thorn is a 59-year-old farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to listen to the radio and visit his sister. In April of 2016, Thorn's right leg was cut by a lotus thorn, causing immediate swelling and pain. He went to a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms became worse. In June of 2016, the wound became dry and black and increased in size. His sister cut off his necrotic foot herself. His bone is now exposed, and he has a contracture of his right knee. Thorn experiences chronic pain, and he is unable to walk. Thorn heard about Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his sister. They traveled for six hours to reach CSC for evaluation and treatment. On April 25, surgeons at CSC will perform an above-the-knee amputation on Thorn's right leg to prevent infection and help him feel more comfortable. Thorn needs help raising $446 to pay for the operation, a four-day hospital stay, and post-operative care. Let's help fund surgery for Thorn!