Sarin is a 53-year-old single woman who lives in Phnom Penh province and is the primary caregiver for her elderly parents. She has five living siblings (sadly, two of her siblings died young) who help to support her and her parents. Most of her day is taken up with caring for her parents, cooking, and cleaning. In the evenings, Sarin likes to practice dhamma - a form of Buddhist meditation - as well as listen to the village monks pray on the local radio station. For many years, Sarin had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. If untreated, a cholesteatoma can cause erosion of the three small bones located in the middle ear, resulting in nerve deterioration, imbalance, vertigo, and deafness. It can also affect and erode, through the enzymes it produces, the thin bone structure that isolates the top of the ear from the brain, risking further infection with serious complications. Sarin's cholesteatoma has caused her many problems. She suffers ear discharge, headaches, and a gradual loss of hearing. It is difficult for her to communicate with her family and other villagers, and she is embarrassed that she cannot hear well. She visited several hospitals seeking care but could not afford to pay for surgery. One of the hospitals suggested she visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Sarin traveled to CSC and, after examination, learned that she will be able to receive treatment. On October 17, the ENT surgeons at CSC will remove the cholesteatoma by performing a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. CSC is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Sarin said: "I hopeful that this operation will improve my hearing and prevent a brain infection."

Nyakek is a beautiful three-month-old baby from Sudan. She was born at home, and her mother immediately noticed a large, open swelling on the lower part of her back. The midwives recommended that Nyakek be brought to a nearby missionary hospital, where she was diagnosed with spina bifida. This is a neural tube defect, where the spine and spinal cord don't fully form, leading to infection, lower limb paralysis, and developmental delays. A missionary doctor at the hospital immediately linked them to our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH), which was able to refer them to our partner hospital in Kenya. Plans were put together for how she would travel to Kenya for treatment. Where their comes from in Sudan, the area has very poor roads and it would not have been possible for them to travel to Juba to be airlifted to Kenya. Instead, the missionary doctor organized for them to board a helicopter that visits the area once a week to deliver supplies. They were taken to Juba where they boarded another flight to Kenya. Upon arrival at our partner's care center, Nyakek was examined and they have started planning for the urgent surgery she needs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,151 to cover the cost of Nyakek's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 9th at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This procedure will hopefully spare Nyakek from the risks associated with her condition, allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nyakek’s mother said: “When I saw the swelling, I was very stressed as I had not seen such a thing before. I immediately got worried about my daughter.”

Lin is a 24-year-old day laborer who lives with his mother - who is a seamstress - in Thailand. During his free time, Lin enjoys playing cane ball with his friends. In June, Lin was involved in a motorbike accident that caused the fracture of his right femur shaft. He underwent emergency surgery, but in September 2023, he slipped and fell, causing the internal fixator attached to his fractured femur to dislodge. As a result, he experiences pain and swelling in his right leg, particularly in his thigh, and he is unable to walk. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Lin will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and to ensure that everything heals properly. This procedure is scheduled for October 6th at Mae Sot General Hospital, and will cost $1,500. Lin needs your help to fund this surgery, which will alleviate his pain and enable him to walk easily again. Lin said: "I want to thank you Watsi and all the donors for helping me receive this expensive surgery. After this surgery, I will certainly be more cautious. Once I recover, I want to work again to support my mother. I want to repay your kindness. I will always remember your help."

Srey Moch is a 39-year-old mom of two from Cambodia with a daughter in fifth grade and a son in eighth grade. Her husband is a chef and she sells rice. In her free time, she likes watching movies with her kids. Ten years ago, Srey Moch had an ear infection that caused the ear drum in her right ear to perforate. Because of this, Srey Moch experiences ear pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus. She cannot communicate clearly at work and frequently experiences discomfort. Srey Moch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to cover the procedure, medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Moch said, "I hope my hearing will improve after surgery and I can do more during work."

Nika is a 9-year-old 4th grader from Cambodia. She loves egg-fried rice and her favorite hobby is sleeping. Her favorite subject is Cambodian history, and she would like to become a teacher when she grows up. Five years ago, she fell while climbing rocks near her house, causing a fracture in her left pinky finger. Her finger never healed properly, and she is often unable to use her left hand for activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 22nd, Nika will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. Nika and her family need help raising the funds for this procedure that will help her improve the function of her left hand. After surgery, her family hopes that her hand will look like it did before the accident and that she will be able to use her left hand when playing.

Htwe is a 12-year-old student who lives with his uncle's family in Thailand. His parents are day laborers in Bangkok, who send his uncle money every month to support him. In his free time, Htwe enjoys playing football with his friends. Two years ago, Htwe's right eyelid became swollen and red. By July 2021, the swelling had worsened and he felt a small mass in his right eyelid. He also developed double vision. He visited several clinics and was given oral medications and eye drops, but he never felt better. Currently, Htwe has redness and swelling in his right eyelid, and sometimes his eye will water. He also has blurry vision and feels uncomfortable with the mass pressing on his eyelid. Due to his blurry vision, he finds it hard to study and do his homework. Eventually, his aunt took Htwe to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH), where he was diagnosed with a cyst in his right eyelid. The doctor told him that he will need to have surgery to remove the cyst. Thanks to our partner's care center, Htwe will have the cyst surgically removed on May 11th. Now his family needs your help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Htwe said, “I want to be a football player when I grow up.” (His family hopes he'll become a medic himself one day and can help others in need!)

Darith is a third grader who lives in Kandal province. He has one older brother and one younger sister. His father drives a pick-up truck for a local construction company, and his mother is a homemaker. At school, he enjoys math, Khmer, and social science. He would like to be a soldier when he is old enough. When not in school, he likes to play volleyball with his father, and eat fried fish or fried beef. For two years, Darith has been experiencing high fevers and sore throats. Often he cannot swallow his food and vomits it up because he feels so bad. Medicine from the local pharmacy has not helped. He has not gained weight and is absent from school. Darith was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Darith, which is scheduled to take place on December 14th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Darith of his symptoms and helping him live much more comfortably. His mother said: "I hope after this operation, my son will eat well and not feel sick all the time."

Vanna is a 24-year-old farmer who has been married for 2 years and has one daughter and one son. She stays home to care for the children, and her husband drives a motor taxi. In her free time, she grows plants outside her house and likes to do embroidery. One year ago, she had an ear infection that caused pain and discharge from her right ear. She tried medicine from a local pharmacy but the symptoms persisted. The infection caused the tympanic membrane (ear drum) in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Vanna experiences tinnitus, ear pain, and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others, does not sleep well, and often has headaches. Vanna traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 21st, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Vanna shared: "I hope my ear will be healthy and my hearing will improve."

Naw Lah is a 35-year-old woman who lives with her husband and her daughter in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province. Naw Lah is a teacher, while her husband is a homemaker caring for their three-year-old daughter. Every month, they receive 864 baht (approx. 28.80 USD) on a cash card from the organization The Border Consortium. This amount combined with the 1,200 baht (approx. 40 USD) from her salary is not enough to cover their family's daily needs. They receive free basic health care in the refugee camp, provided by Malteser International (MI) Thailand but this does note cover surgery, including the c-section that she needs. Naw Lah is currently expecting her second child. Due to complications during her previous delivery, the doctors recommend that she should receive a C-section this time to avoid risk of complications. This way, doctors can ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Naw Lah undergo a C-Section on March 1st. This procedure will cost $1500, and Naw Lah needs your support. “I hope to have a boy because my previous baby is a girl. But I will love my baby regardless if they are a girl or a boy,” she said.