Darong is an 11-year-old 4th grade student from Cambodia. Darong has two siblings and his parents work in Thailand. As we got to know Darong, he shared with us that his favorite subjects in school are Khmer, math, and English. His favorite foods are fried meat, sausage soup, and juice or milk. When he is not studying, Darong enjoys playing football, reading books, and playing games. When he grows up he wants to be a doctor. Nine years ago, Darong had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Darong experiences damaged hearing, tinnitus, ear discharge, and pain. He cannot communicate clearly with others, making his studies difficult. Darong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 30th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Darong's aunt shared, "We are worried about him because it is hard for him to have conversations and he is in pain."

David is a 2-year-old baby boy from Kenya. David is a very happy and active child. He is an only child to his single-parent mother, and they live with his mother's parents. David's mother runs a small tea kiosk to earn a living and shared that she did not complete her college education when she had David. On October 17th, while David was playing, he slipped and fell and fractured his hand. He is in pain and cannot move his hand freely. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On November 3rd, David will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him heal well and he will be able to use this hand without pain. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. David's mother shared, “I am very worried because of my baby. My parents and I are not able to pay for the operation he requires. I am pleading for support so that he can be well and continue playing and growing normally. God bless you.”

Hen is a 71-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio at home when she has free time. Two years ago, Hen developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Hen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 27th, 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 $425 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see clearly again so I can help look after my grandchildren and I can visit the pagoda."

John is a 46-year-old disabled father of three who needs to undergo a second-stage bone transport surgery. John shared his story with us: In early December 2015, he was attacked by an unknown assailant who robbed him and dragged him along the road causing a serious femur fracture on his left leg. Unconscious, he was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital where he was admitted and underwent surgery receiving an implant. This marked the beginning of a series of surgeries associated with his fracture and he was later referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Kijabe Hospital for treatment and management of his condition. Although he has applied for funding through the national insurance scheme, it was not approved due to his previous treatments and he now needs financial support for a bone transport surgery. Previously, John was a matatu driver but quit after a serious accident. He lives in a single room house that a local church offered because of his condition and his children are currently living with his sister. John is ambulating on crutches and if not treated, he might be at risk of not being able to walk freely again. John said, “With my disability, I am unable to cater for my family and live normally. If I get the required treatment, I will be able to raise my 3 kids and live normally again.”

Nget is a 27-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He and his wife work together, and have one young son. He enjoys playing with his son outside, and taking him on walks by the river. He also likes to cook for his family. Ten years ago, Nget had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Nget experiences hearing loss, ear discharge and pain. He has experienced chronic tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, and it is difficult for him to hear his coworkers and communicate with his family. Nget traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 5th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Nget said, "I have spent a lot of money on medicine for my ear, so I hope that this surgery stops my pain for good and I can use that money to help my family."

Nuredin is a second grade student from Ethiopia. He is a nice boy who is an introvert and shy. Nuredin is caring toward his three siblings and even likes to share his food with his sisters and brother. He loves to play with his friends and he loves his studies. Nuredin helps his father shepherd their sheep. His dad is a farmer and his mom is a house wife. Nuredin 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, Nuredin is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on December 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,231 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Nuredin's dad said, “we couldn’t go to hospital until last year because we were financially unable. And I tried to take him to different places after last year but the waiting list in the government hospitals is too long that we couldn’t get the necessary treatment. Now we are hopeful that Nuredin will get the surgery, heal well and go to school. I hope he will become a doctor as he always wanted."

Ei is a 31-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her mother and two younger sisters in Dawei Township, Tanintharyi Division. Her mother and her youngest sister, who dropped out of university to work, are vendors who sell vegetables in the street market. Ei’s other sister is in her final year of university. Ei used to help her mother sell vegetables but stopped five years ago because of her health condition. Ei was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Ei feels tired and she cannot walk long distances and has difficulty climbing stairs. In addition to feeling tired, she has difficulty breathing and experiences heart palpitations. Due to the lack blood flow, her lips, toes and fingers are blue especially when she cannot breathe well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Ei. The treatment is scheduled to take place on November 7th and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Ei said, “I want to have surgery soon so that I can work, and so that our family will have enough money. Now, my mother cannot work while she accompanies me to the hospital. Only my youngest sister works, and we are in debt now”.

At the age of seven, Sophea fell three meters from the roof of her house. Sine then, her back has formed a curve in her spine, and she has experienced pain in her back and difficulty sleeping. Surgery can help correct the position of her spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. Sophea has three sisters and enjoys reading books, listening to music, and cooking. Her favorite subject in school is math, and she hopes to become a tailor when she grows up.

Chom Rong is a 45-year-old police officer from Cambodia. He has three sons, one daughter, and enjoys watching soccer and Khmer boxing on television in his free time. Five months ago, Chom Rong developed a cataract in each eye, causing him photophobia, tearing, itchiness, and blurry vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chom Rong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for a half hour seeking treatment. On June 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that after my surgery I will be able to see clearly and can go back to work."

Mu Lu is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her family in Thay Ka Tay Village, Kawkareik Township, Karen State. Fives month ago, Mu Lu started to experience problems with the right side of the top of her throat, when her right salivary gland became swollen. Then the pain worsened, and she had ringing in her ear. The ringing was so loud that she could not hear people properly when they talked to her. She tried to cure herself with traditional medicine, but the pain never disappeared. Mu Lu sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. she is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 21. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Mu Lu says, "I am scared to undergo the surgery but there is no other option for my condition to get heal. I hope that after surgery, I will be no longer in pain."

Nenglanget is a baby from Tanzania. She is the first born child in a family of two children. Nenglanget was injured in a fire accident early last year. Her left leg didn't healed correctly, so she underwent an amputation and received a prosthetic leg. Now, she needs a skin graft to cover up the post-surgical wound. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Nenglanget receive treatment. On April 16, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure. Now, Nenglanget needs help to fund this $711 procedure. Nenglanget’s grandmother says, “My granddaughter needs another surgery please help her.”

Mu is 43-year-old farmer from Burma. She lives with her husband and five children. In her free time she likes to forage for vegetables in the forest with her friends. She has a gallstone and has burning pain in her lower right abdomen. She also suffers from back pain and sometimes she is not able to sleep or eat well due to the pain. Mu has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Mu is scheduled to undergo her cholecystectomy on March 21. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Mu's procedure and care. She says, "I hope that I can get well again so that I can help my husband and my son on our farm."