Phorp is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He lives at home with his parents and 18-year-old brother. His family also works as rice farmers in Siem Reap province. At home, in his free time, Phorp loves to play volleyball. In August, Phorp was in a motorbike accident and fell on his left shoulder. He sustained multiple injuries, including lacerations and paralysis of his left arm due to nerve damage. He visited the local provincial hospital for stitches for the lacerations, but he did not receive care for the nerve damage. Phorp has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. There has been no improvement in his arm over the last several months. Currently, he cannot use his hand and, consequently, cannot work outside in the rice paddies with his family. Fortunately, Phorp traveled to our medical partner's care center for treatment. This is the only center in the country where this treatment is available. On November 3rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he should be able to use his arm once again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Phorp contributed $100 to his care. Phorp said, "After surgery, I hope that I can lift my shoulder and arm and be able to work."

Blessing is a beautiful 10-year-old girl. She is very active and helps her parents, a farmer and a pastor, with household chores. She is the second born in a family of three, and a grade 4 pupil in primary school and aspires to become a doctor. One day, while alone in the house, Blessing accidentally fell on a boiling tea kettle and sustained burns on her right elbow. She was taken to the nearest hospital, where first aid was administered, and later discharged home. Currently, her right arm has sustained a contracture from the burn. She cannot raise or stretch her hand. Blessing works at home mostly in doing household chores which she likes, but the condition has greatly affected her ability and her self-esteem. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Blessing receive treatment. On November 28th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery, which will allow Blessing to fully use her hand again. Her self-esteem will also improve, and she can continue with her education and chores without interruption. However, we need help to fund this $840 procedure. “I am looking forward to seeing my daughter's hand fully healed and transformed. May God continue to bless you as you do God's work of helping needy patients,” Blessing's mother told us.

Marie is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives with her mother and two sons in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince; she previously worked in an apparel factory but had to stop working last year due to her cardiac illness. Marie has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral stenosis. One of the four valves of her heart was damaged due to an infection she suffered earlier in life, and she can no longer pump blood normally through her body. Marie needs surgery that is not available within Haiti so she will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On October 19th, she will finally undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her existing damaged valve; if this is unsuccessful, they may need to implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital, is contributing $25000 to pay for surgery. Marie's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep and followup. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. "I am hopeful that after this surgery, I can stop worrying so much about my health and my heart. I want to focus instead on my beautiful family and my future," Marie shared.

Saroem is a 36-year-old construction worker and mother of two from Cambodia. She lives in Kampot province with her husband and two children, ages 8 and 13. Both Saroem and her husband work for a local construction company. They work long hours while their kids go to school and are looked after by friends and relatives. In her free time, Saron loves making sweets for her kids. Six years ago, Saroem had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. Now, Saroem experiences pain, tinnitus, ear discharge, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others, and she frequently misses work. Saroem has tried various medications but hasn't seen any significant change. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. Saroem traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment, and on June 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations that cause her symptoms. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $914 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for Saroem. Saroem shared, "I want this to be fixed because I am always feeling scared that I will feel worse and lose my hearing. When I am better, I can go to work every day and not be afraid."

Xander is a 5-month-old baby from Haiti. He is loved by his mom, dad and half-sister. Xander has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. If not treated, hydrocephalus can result in developmental, physical, and intellectual impairments. As a result of his condition, Xander has been experiencing an increasing head circumference noticed by his family a month ago. Without treatment, Xander will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Xander at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on August 22. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Xander's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Xander will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. The family is devastated by Xander's condition. They are hoping to bring their healthy baby home after the surgery.

Yi is a 52-year-old mother who lives with her husband, two sons and a daughter in a conflict area called Rakhine State. Her husband, daughter and younger son are unemployed while she is a homemaker. Her older son works as a taxi driver but does not always have work. They are financially supported by Yi's third son, who is also a taxi driver and lives separately. In her free time, she like to meditate and read Facebook posts relating to health. Yi first felt unwell in 2010 when she experienced severe joint pain. Later on, she also developed difficulty breathing and heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring surgery, but she could not afford to pay for it. Over the years, she tried to manage her symptoms through medication, but they would only help her feel better temporarily. Currently, Yi tires easily and does not have energy to do anything. She cannot walk long distances, and she cannot walk downstairs. If she does, she experiences chest pain and difficulty breathing. When she talks a lot, she feels tired. She has no appetite and cannot breathe well. She also has chest pain and cannot sleep at night. In May, she went to Pun Hlaing Hospital in Yangon, where the doctor diagnosed her with mitral valve stenosis and tricuspid valve regurgitation. She now needs to undergo surgery to have two valves in her heart replaced. Yi is scheduled to have this surgery on July 20th with our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). They are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. Her son said, “Thank you so much to the donors and the organization [BCMF] for helping with the cost of my mom’s surgery. I worry about my mom and want her to get surgery as soon as possible.”

Sofia is a 21-year-old student from the Philippines. She loves to read and is very active in school. She is in her final year of college and is getting ready to graduate. During her spare time, Sofia likes to help out in her family's sari-sari store. When Sofia was in high school, she noticed a mass in her left breast. Fearing their family’s history of breast cancer, Sofia and her mom decided to consult a doctor. Sofia was diagnosed with breast cancer. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, was suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. However, due to financial constraints, Sofia was unable to undergo treatment at the time. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Sofia receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on June 24th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $1058 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Sofia will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Sofia shared, "I hope the operation will be a success so that I can continue my studies, and my mom can stop worrying about my future health conditions. I'm grateful to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for providing me with this opportunity to have the surgery free of charge."

Peter is a student from Kenya who just completed secondary school. He is the third born in his family of seven children. Peter's father passed away, making his mother and older brother the primary providers for his family. His mother works as a small-scale farmer, while his brother works as a truck conductor. In his free time, Peter likes playing football with his friends. In early May, Peter slipped and fell on his left leg. His older brother brought him to the hospital, where Peter received an X-ray revealing a fractured tibia. He needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and ensure his leg heals properly to prevent future complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, he will be able to walk with ease. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Peter said: "I am just starting my adult life and have high hopes for how I wish it would be. I request your help so that my leg can be well again."

Ancheline is a 20-year-old single mother from Kenya. She has two children, aged six and two years old. To support her family, she works as a casual laborer washing clothes for individuals and families. She lives in a one-room home with her two children. Two months ago, Ancheline began to experience troubling symptoms, including swelling in her throat, which has caused difficulty swallowing. Her friends helped her raise funds so that she could travel to the hospital outside of her village. Eventually, after a number of tests, she was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Unfortunately, she does not have medical coverage and is unable to afford the procedure on her own. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Ancheline receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 20th at AMH's care center. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. AMH is requesting $949 to help fund the procedure. Ancheline says, “My neck is swelling and it is very uncomfortable. I have been at home hoping it will reduce but it keeps increasing. I hope to get treatment and reduce the swelling.”