“I am very sad that this has happened to my daughter,” says the mother of Thi, a nine-year-old girl who lives with her mother, sister, and grandmother in Burma. Thi and her mother came to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), in search of help for Thi, who was healthy and active until she started experiencing dizziness and vomiting during the spring. “Over the course of several months,” says BBP, “Thi has lost the ability to walk unassisted and to write. Her speech is slow, and she talks with great difficulty. The left side of her face has also been paralyzed.” An MRI confirmed that Thi has a brain tumor, causing swelling in her head and making it difficult for her to control the muscles that move her body. BBP explains, “Thi no longer experiences regular vomiting or dizziness, but her symptoms are quite visible. She is very slow to respond to questions, and her speech is sluggish.” Thi is no longer able to attend school because of her condition. Thi’s mother buys and sells goods to support the family, but her daily earnings are only enough to cover a day’s expenses. In the past, she has had to borrow money from neighbors to pay healthcare costs. Given the family’s financial situation, money to pay for treatment for Thi is unavailable. With $1,485 in finding, Thi can undergo surgery to place a shunt that will relieve the swelling and pressure in her head. BBP shares, “It is hoped that Thi's current symptoms will be alleviated, and that she will be able to return to school following treatment.” Thi’s mother shares that sentiment. “I want her to go back to school and eventually become a preacher,” she says.

Meet Kon, a 65-year-old woman from Cambodia who likes to listen to the news on the radio. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) tells us, "Kon has been partially blind for two years because of the mature cataracts in her eyes. She had to stop working on the rice farm making it hard to support her four children and eight grandchildren. Kon is unhappy that she cannot do things for her self and cook and care for her family." For $150, Kon will receive the surgery needed to remove the cataracts from her right eye, which will improve her eyesight, prevent complete blindness and make her eligible for a second surgery on her left. CSC says, “Kon hopes that her eyesight can be restored so she can go places like the pagoda on her own, as well as visiting her son." Let's help Kon see more clearly and become independent again!

Lucy is a 52-year-old mother of two children in Kenya. She and her children work as farmers. At the beginning of this year Lucy developed uterine fibroids, noncancerous growths which cause a swelling of the abdomen, fatigue, heavy bleeding, and severe pain. Lucy is a very social woman but has been hesitant to be seen in public because she is afraid of appearing pregnant to others. Fortunately, a total abdominal hysterectomy can remove the growths and return Lucy to good health. Lucy can not afford this treatment on her own but remains optimistic about the support available to her. She says, "For a long time now, I have been trying to raise money without success. Through God’s grace, I believe Watsi is going to help me and I pray that God will bless them too. I hope to be healthy again to be able to care for myself and be there for my children." Let's raise the $790 to make sure Lucy can pay for the treatment and care she needs!