Guertha is a mother of one from Haiti. She lives with her parents and young son on a small farm in the mountains of northern Haiti. Guertha has a cardiac condition called severe rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart cannot open and close properly due to an infection she suffered several years ago. As a result, her heart cannot adequately circulate blood through her body and she is weak and short of breath. Guertha will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 1, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Fundacion Heart Care Dominicana, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Guertha's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Guertha's family overseas. She says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery I will have my health and energy back!"

Fiyas is a 54-year-old fisherman from Cambodia. She has four daughters and seven grandchildren, and enjoys going to the temple in her free time. Two months ago, Fiyas developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Fiyas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 4, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, I am able to go outside by myself and help take care of my grandchildren."

Rubera is a child from Uganda. Rubera’s parents are from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He is a playful child. Rubera was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Rubera is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His father says, “My income is limited to support all the needs of the family and now we learned our boy has this condition and he need surgery. We cannot afford for the medical bill. We learned from a physician about Watsi and its support for those who can’t afford medical costs. That is why we came here for support on your side.”

Ronald is a farmer from Kenya. He is a husband and father of three who is working as a motorcycle driver to support his young family. Recently, Ronald was involved in a road traffic accident. His injuries were severe, and he lost consciousness. He suffered a hip fracture and is now not able to walk or work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 24, Ronald will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This condition causes him pain and discomfort, and this is making it difficult for him to work. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to fund this procedure. “At first I thought I was going to lose my leg. I really thought about my young family. Thanks to the doctor for giving me hope. I am ready to undergo this surgery," says Ronald.

Paul is a casual laborer from Kenya. He is a father of four children. In August 2018, Paul sustained a tibia fracture. He is not able to walk on his own without pain and discomfort. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 7, Paul will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Paul says, “I hope that with the treatment, I will be able to walk.”

Saoe is a rice farmer from Cambodia. She has four sons, two daughters, and fifteen grandchildren. She likes to watch the news in her free time. Two years ago, Saoe developed a cataract in each eye, causing her tearing, irritation, and clouded lenses. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Saoe learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 4, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. Her son says, "I hope her surgery is a success and that she can see clearly after the operation. Thank you."

Shaban is a boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Recently, Shaban has been experiencing a sore throat. He also experiences recurrent fevers. Shaban was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Shaban, which is scheduled to take place on November 2. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Shaban of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Shaban’s father says, “I would like for my son to be able to sleep soundly, eat better, and be happy.”

Glen is a baby from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. His 20-year-old mother is a housewife, while his father is a motorcycle taxi rider. They live in their ancestral land. Glen has hydrocephalus, a condition characterized by increased head size and sunken eyes. He received previous treatment, but the procedure was not successful. If not treated again, Glen will be at risk of neurological damage due to the pressure in his brain. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo brain surgery on September 14. Now, his family needs help raising $634 to fund the procedure. Glen’s mother says, “My hope is to see my child treated and lead a normal life. It is my prayer."

Danstan is a toddler from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three. Danstan’s mother work as a cleaner, while his father is a driver. Danstan has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Danstan traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on September 25. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Danstan's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk without pain and difficulty. “I will be glad to see my son walking to school like other children and that is why I am requesting for support," Danstan's mother says.

Abraham is a 13-year-old boy and the third child in a family of seven children. He is in fifth grade, and he loves science and mathematics. He wants to become a pilot when he grows up. Abraham was born with malformations of his right foot and leg. He cannot walk comfortably. His father heard about our medical partner's care center and decided to bring his son there. Now, Abraham is scheduled to undergo an amputation, after which he will be fitted with a prosthesis to help him walk. Treatment is scheduled for July 12 and will cost $1,035. His parents are subsistence farmers and need help raising this money. Abraham says, “I believe this treatment will help me by making my movements easy, I will be able to go to school and the doctor is telling me that the prosthesis will enable me to walk normal. Please help me get this treatment.”

Srey Neth is an eight grade student from Cambodia. She wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She enjoys studying mathematics and reading. Thirteen years ago, Srey Neth had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her left ear to perforate. For this reason, Srey Neth experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. She cannot hear and is uncomfortable from the recurrent ear discharge. Srey Neth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 12, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope my ear is healed after surgery and I can hear better. I look forward to returning to school."

Hel Tha Gal is a two-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents, and they are farmers. He loves to play with any toys that he sees. Hel Tha Gal was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Hel Tha Gal, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 18, and, once completed, will greatly improve Hel Tha Gal's quality of life. His father says, "I am looking forward to see my son recovering after his treatment."