Julbert is a hardworking 41-year-old tricycle driver from the Philippines. He is the sole provider for his family. With the recent rise of fuel prices, Julbert's income is being severely affected, making it more difficult to provide for his family. In November 2021, he began experiencing right abdominal pain, which compelled him to get himself checked. Later on, he was diagnosed with a gallbladder stone, which needs to be extracted surgically. After reaching out to our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Julbert is now scheduled to undergo surgery on June 30th to treat his condition. After his recovery, Julbert will no longer be in pain or at risk of developing severe health complications in the future, allowing him to continue providing for his family. A portion of the cost of his care is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation and WSFP raising the remaining $826 to cover the cost of Julbert's procedure and care. "Times have been extra challenging, but thanks to the kind hearts and generous pockets of people from all over the world, I know I'll be able to continue to provide for my family," he shared. "Thank you World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi. Your help means a lot to us who have no capacity to afford treatments like this."

Shantel is a 5-year-old cheerful girl from Elgeyo Marakwet County in western Kenya. Shantel is the eldest child in her family and lives with her grandmother in a semi-permanent house. Shantel's family grows maize on their small piece of land as their source of food along with casual jobs working on other farms and doing laundry to earn a living. Shantel recently visited AIC Kapsowar Hospital for an x-ray of an elbow fracture and a posterior splint for her right arm. She sustained the injury after falling from a tree while playing with other children. They visited another hospital near their home where she was stabilized with the splint, but was asked to wait to be seen by a surgeon. Shantel is right-handed and this injury has impacted her performance at school since she cannot write. An orthopedic surgeon determined that Shantel needed percutaneous pinning urgently to help restore the normal functioning of her limb and to be able to continue with her education. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $679 to cover Shantel's surgery on May 24th. Shantel's mother shared, "It hurts when my child needs help that I cannot offer her. Kindly help her so she may be able to go to school like other children.”

Zion is an adorable four-month-old baby boy from the Philippines. Despite being so young, Zion loves interacting with people and already responds when his name is called. Zion's mother is a full-time mom, while his father is a contract-of-service worker. Zion's father's income helps to sustain their family's daily needs. In March, Zion's family brought him to the hospital as he has skin tags on his body and they were concerned for his future health and development. This condition can be severe, especially at his age as it may cause discomfort that leads to itching, wounds, and infections. On May 4th, Zion is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Zion's parents raise $1,196 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. After recovery, Zion will no longer have multiple skin tags or be at risk of developing related health complications in the future. "Once this surgery is done, we don't have to worry about his condition, and we can focus on taking care of Zion," his father shared. "Thank you so much World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi for your help. May you help other people in need like us," he added.

Esbon is a three-day-old baby and the fourth born in a family of four. His parents are both farmers, and also do casual jobs in order to sustain their lives and those of their children. Esbon's mother hopes that he gets well soon so they may go back home to be with her other children. Esbon was born with the umbilical cord tied around the calf muscle of his left lower limb, sustaining a wound around it that was deep. He was also born with a congenital condition of the feet, with missing digits in both lower limbs and the left upper limb. His mom is worried that he feels a lot of pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Esbon receive treatment. On March 10th, surgeons at their care center will perform a surgery to release the amniotic construction band with a skin graft. Now, their family needs help to fund this $1,478 procedure. Esbon's mother shared, "Kindly help my son so that he can be relieved from pain and be able to live normally in the future."

Victor is a 9-year old boy and the oldest of two children in his family. Victor's mother is a single parent working as a housekeeper. While his mother is at work, Victor often spends time with his grandmother who is a farmer. Victor was born with cerebral palsy and his grandmother shared that he has a lot of energy! Victor was brought to Cure International Hospital's outreach clinic by his grandmother. His condition makes it challenging for Victor to walk without falling. Now he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Victor and his family raise the $1,224 necessary to fund this surgery so that Victor will be able to live a full, healthy live as he grows up. Victor's grandmother said, "I would love to see my grandson’s feet fully corrected and walking well like other children."

Precious is a one-month-old baby girl and the youngest child in a family of two children. Her mother is single and works washing clothes for a living. Precious has an older sibling who is 10 years old. Precious has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Precious has experienced progressive head enlargement since her birth. If left untreated, her condition could lead to developmental and physical delays. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Precious receive treatment. On January 26th, she will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from Precious's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. After treatment, Precious will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Now, AMH is requesting $720 to cover the cost of Precious's procedure and care. Precious's mother shared, "I hope Precious gets help. Alone, I am unable to help pay for the treatment she needs."

Bancy shared with us that she has been a widow since 1990 when her husband passed on. She raised her children on her own and they are all adults now. Bancy does small-scale farming on her one-acre ancestral piece of land. Bancy looks uneasy and eager to get treatment. She's had stomach pains for the last ten years. She says the prolonged stomach upsets are making her uncomfortable and in pain. The pain has been on and off but worsened this year. She was diagnosed with Pyloric Stenosis, a condition in which the opening between the stomach and small intestine thickens. Last month before visiting Kijabe Hospital, she had a series of painful instances. She visited a national referral hospital in Nairobi where she was reviewed and an endoscopy requested. She was scheduled for surgery but the cost was too high. She opted to try our medical partner's care center Kijabe Hospital where the same surgical operation can be carried out. There she can undergo a procedure called gastric antiectomy to finally heal her condition. Bancy is appealing for financial assistance. She shared, "For the last ten years, I have had prolonged stomach pains that are so uncomfortable. I have sought several interventions but so far have not received any help. I'm hopeful this surgery is my likely solution to my decade-old problem."

Dolla is a 47-year-old woman who has been married for 25 years. She has four children between the ages of 19 and 24 years. Her first and second-born are in college and the last-born children are twins, currently in form 4 of school. Her husband works as a carpenter, while Dolla sells Thobwa drinks, freezers, and second-hand clothes. She shared that business is now slow due to the Covid-19 pandemic, so it is a hard time to earn money. Dolla started having difficulty swallowing 2 years ago. She went to a healthcare facility near her home where she was referred to a bigger facility for diagnosis. The healthcare givers there told her to avoid taking certain foods which might have been a result of her having a hard time swallowing food. After a year, she noticed swelling around her neck. She returned to the hospital and had an ultrasound which revealed an enlarged right side of her thyroid. It was diagnosed as goiter. A goiter is an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland; a butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of the neck. Although goiters are usually painless, a large goiter can cause a cough, irritation, and may also cause difficulty in swallowing and breathing. Dolla has been unable to eat well and constantly reports feeling like there is a foreign body in her throat. She is afraid of the goiter continuing to grow as she believes it may cause serious problems. She sought care at Partners In Hope Medical Center because she believes the surgery will prevent future complications and significantly improve her quality of life. Upon review at Partners in Hope, the surgeon confirmed a multi-nodular goiter and recommended a total thyroidectomy to remove it and heal her condition. It is expected that after the surgery the chronic sensation of choking and the feeling of having something ‘stuck’ in her throat will go away. This will allow her to eat and breathe without feeling uncomfortable. Dolla is not in a financial position to cater for surgery and is appealing for financial assistance. Dolla says, "I hope the surgery will prevent future complications and give me a chance to continue meeting my responsibilities as a parent like raising school fees for my children.”

Heng Ly is a 37-year-old math teacher. He is married and has one son and one daughter. When he was around six years old, Heng Ly had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or eardrum, in his right ear to perforate. As a result, Heng Ly experiences pain, ear discharge, and hearing loss, as well as recurrent ear infections that make it difficult to work due to frequent illness. Heng Ly traveled to the care center at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On October 26th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right ear to close the perforation. CSC is requesting $464 to help fund this procedure, including medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Heng Ly shared, "I really hoping my hearing will improve after my surgery, and that the ear discharge will stop happening."

Ly is a 76-year-old mat seller. He is a widower and has two sons, five daughters, and many grandchildren. He lives with his second daughter who is a mat weaver. Previously, he sold his daughter's mats by bicycle throughout the community but is not able to do this anymore. At home, he likes to listen to the news and the monks pray on the radio. Five years ago, Ly developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 15th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Ly shared, "I hope my eye can see clearly, I can help my daughter weave mats, sell them, and go to the pagoda again."

James is a hardworking man coming from the outskirts of Nairobi and is a father of two daughters, one in college and the other having completed high school recently. He is separated from his wife and takes up casual labour to make ends meet. He is a jovial man. In August, James was involved in an accident when a motorcycle hit him as he walked on a footpath. The motorcycle driver escaped leaving him in pain. He was taken to a local hospital for first aid and then to a district hospital. He had an x-ray done but was only given pain medication and advised to wait for the bone to heal on its own. However, James' mother decided to bring him to Nazareth hospital. His leg is painful and swollen and he is not able to walk at all. James was recommended to undergo an ORIF surgery to repair the fracture. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 30th, James will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The surgery will allow the fractured bone to heal with ease allowing him to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. James says, “I am glad there is hope for my leg to be treated so that I can go back to my normal life.”

Stes is a 75-year-old fisherman and rice farmer. His wife also helps fish and together they have one son. In his free time, Stes enjoys listening to the news. Five years ago, Stes developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Stes learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled there seeking treatment. On June 28th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an implant in his right eye so he can see clearly after recovery. CSC is requesting $229 to fund this procedure. Stes cheerfully shares his post-recovery plans, "I hope I can see clearly so I can go fishing more and visit the mosque by myself."