Lowena is a dedicated community health worker from the Philippines. She assists with maternal care and child health services in her community. She works three times a week in the field and will soon help with a measles vaccination program for children. Her son, Randy, drives a school bus, and together they provide for the family. Lowena enjoys singing in her free time and considers her fieldwork her exercise, as it keeps her active through frequent walking. Forty-four years ago, Lowena began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain, significant discomfort, and occasional bleeding. She was diagnosed with internal hemorrhoids. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. For a long time, Lowena postponed her own treatment to care for her sick grandchild, but after seeing the child recover and learning about hospital support, she decided it was time to prioritize her health. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Lowena receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on May 5th at WSFP's care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove her hemorrhoids. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is requesting the remaining $1,257 to cover the cost of Lowena's procedure and care. "Having this surgery is a huge blessing, especially for people like me who cannot afford treatment. I hope Watsi continues helping more people, because helping others brings happiness," Shared Lowena.

Sakhorn is 69 years old and a retired rice farmer from Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. He has one daughter, three sons, and seven grandchildren. Sakhorn lives near his daughter, who is also a rice farmer. He likes to listen to the radio and go to the pagoda. About two years ago, Sakhorn experienced a traumatic incident that led to a condition in his left eye called retinal detachment, where the thin tissues at the back of the eye pull away from their usual position. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sakhorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On April 7th, eye surgeons will perform a retinal detachment repair procedure in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Our medical partner is requesting $706 to fund his procedure. Sakhorn said, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better, so I can go out and do housework."

Chepkat is an 11-year-old girl from Kenya. She comes from a pastoralist family whose livelihood has always depended on keeping goats and cattle. Due to the harsh, isolated nature of their residence, Chepkat has never had the opportunity to attend school. Her parents survive through livestock keeping, but recently their family suffered a major setback when raiders attacked their homestead and drove away their cattle, leaving them with nothing. One afternoon, while trying to pick fruit from a tree, Chepkat accidentally stepped on a dry branch that suddenly broke beneath her. She fell heavily to the ground and immediately experienced severe pain. Due to the remoteness of their home, the family had to travel nearly two hours to reach the nearest health facility. At the first facility, she was immobilized and later referred to another hospital, where she was managed conservatively with bed rest and pain medication. However, her condition did not improve, and her pain persisted. Chepkat was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, where an x-ray revealed a fracture of the head of her hip bone, a serious injury that requires urgent surgical intervention. She needs an urgent Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) to stabilize and repair the bone. On March 11th, Chepkat will undergo a fracture repair procedure. She needs help so that she can receive the operation she needs and regain the chance to walk and live a healthy and active life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,247 to fund this procedure. Chepkat's mother says, "My child is in pain and cannot stand, please help her so she can regain her mobility."

Gevan is a one-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with both parents and his sibling. His parents depend on hourly wages working at a factory. Gevan was brought to our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, by his parents. He had burn scar contractures affecting the left hand, specifically the index and middle fingers. The injury has reduced the range of motion in his fingers, making it difficult for him to grip toys and use his hand normally during play and feeding. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Gevan receive treatment. On February 17th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to improve mobility. He is a cheerful and cooperative child, and his parents are hopeful that with timely treatment, he will grow up with full use of his hand and independence in daily activities. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Gevan's mother says, “His fingers cannot bend properly, so he struggles to pick up and hold small objects.”

John Dwayne is seven years old and the oldest of two children from the Philippines. His father works at a hospital as kitchen staff and works as a mechanic for additional income. In January 2025, John Dwayne started to complain of pain. He was brought to a nearby health center, where they diagnosed him with a hernia. His father felt hopeless as he could not afford the surgery for his son. He is grateful that his son’s condition will be treated soon, so he can play again with the other kids and enjoy life more as a growing child. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, can help. On January 28th, John Dwayne will undergo hernia repair surgery to address his symptoms and allow him to live more comfortably. He needs help to raise $1,121 to fund his procedure and care. John Dwayne's father shared, "I am deeply grateful because you have included my son in the list of patients for free operation. Thank you so much also to the foundation for reaching out to our province for your surgical mission."

John is 66 years old and a father of six from Malawi. For most of his life, he farmed tobacco and maize, work that supported his household and paid school fees for his children. Over the past year, his health has steadily declined. His hands have grown weak, and he can no longer manage the demanding work of farming. Today, his wife and sons tend the fields while he stays behind. One year ago, John started experiencing urinary problems, which have led to repeated infections and discomfort. He received medication, but nothing brought relief. Concerned for his condition, his family gathered what little money they could and brought him to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia and doctors have scheduled him for open prostatectomy surgery. A prostatectomy is a surgery to remove part or all of the prostate. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $530 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Nkhoma Hospital on January 13th and, once completed, it will hopefully improve John's quality of life. John said, “This sickness has taken away my strength. With treatment, I hope to live the rest of my life without suffering, and I will be very grateful to the hands that will make this one wish come true.”

Ananiya is nine years old and a second-grade student from Ethiopia. His mother is a homemaker, caring for him and his brother. His father works tirelessly in various labor roles, serving as the sole provider for the family. When he was two years old, Ananiya started to experience snoring, fevers, and struggling to breathe. He is a naturally joyful boy, but the onset of pain often triggers mood swings that confuse his peers. Because his parents cannot afford the surgery he so desperately needs, they have had to turn to traditional herbal treatments to try and ease his suffering. These persistent infections and high fevers do more than just disrupt his education; they place an immense financial and emotional strain on the family. His father’s modest wages are increasingly consumed by medical costs, leaving the family in a vulnerable struggle to balance urgent healthcare with their basic survival and the future of both children. Ananiya was diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Ananiya, scheduled to take place on December 20th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Ananiya of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Ananiya's mother shared, "We hope for a permanent end to our son's suffering. We dream of a future where he is finally free from this constant pain and no longer has to miss school. Our only wish is to see him healthy and happy every day."

Wisnaida is a 16-year-old student who lives in central Haiti with her parents and three younger siblings. Her father is a music teacher, and her mother is a merchant. In her free time, Wisnaida enjoys singing. When Wisnaida was younger, she developed an infection that damaged her heart and led to a cardiac condition known as rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Because of this condition, one of the valves of her heart does not open and close properly, causing backwards blood flow, poor circulation, and fatigue. Without treatment, Wisnaida is at risk of valve enlargement and early heart failure. Thankfully, Wisnaida will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On March 24th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will first attempt to repair the valve so that it functions more normally. If they are unable to do so, they will remove it and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, Mitral Foundation, is contributing $10,000 to pay for surgery. Now, Wisnaida's family needs help to fund the costs of related care. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Wisnaida's family overseas. Wisnaida shares, "I am praying that this surgery goes well so that I feel stronger and healthier!"

Brian is a humble and respectful 23-year-old man from Kenya. He shares that he has always been a person who puts the needs of others before his own. Being the fourth in a family of seven children, Brian works as a seasonal farmer, mainly planting tomatoes and tending to mango orchards. He owns 2 mango trees that were given to him by his parents. This year has been especially difficult for Brian and his family. Heavy rains and mudslides in their region affected the transportation of their produce, resulting in significant losses. Despite these challenges, Brian remains committed to supporting his younger siblings. Having studied up to Form Four, he works tirelessly so that they can access the education he was unable to access. On the afternoon of 24th November, Brian was picking mangoes for home consumption when he accidentally stepped on a dry mango branch. He fell down and sustained injuries to his hand and leg. He was rushed to the nearest health facility where his injuries were initially managed through immobilization and pain medication. He was then referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital, for further care. Upon arrival, an X-ray revealed a fracture to his forearm and his pelvic region. He was admitted immediately, and after an orthopedic consultation, it was determined that he requires ORIF surgery (Open Reduction and Internal Fixation) to properly correct the fracture of the right forearm. The pelvic fracture is expected to resolve on its own, so will hopefully not need surgery. Brian, however, does not have any health insurance coverage, and after paying for consultation and the X-ray, his family is unable to raise money for further treatment. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Brian receive treatment. On November 25th, Brian will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will help promote his healing, and allow him to regain hand function. Now, Brian needs help to fund this $861 procedure. Brian says, "I have learnt that medical cover is important, and when I fully recover, I plan to register to the national social health insurance scheme. Please help me, so that I can be able to work with my hand in the farm once again, after I fully recover."

Wabi is a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. The cherished only child of two dedicated school teachers, he is naturally the absolute center of their world. Recently, however, their joy has been overshadowed by his recurrent and painful tonsillitis, causing the family considerable discomfort and worry. One year ago, Wabi started experiencing fever, snoring, pain, and difficulty swallowing. The condition inflicts severe pain and difficulty swallowing, turning every attempt at a meal into a frustrating, tear-filled battle. This constant physical discomfort, coupled with recurrent fevers and restless nights, has eroded his usual stability, rendering him irritable, exhausted, and anxious. His emotional distress is a direct reflection of the high stress and worry felt by his parents, whose lives are now completely dedicated to finding him relief. Wabi was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Wabi, which is scheduled to take place on October 18th. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Wabi of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Wabi's parents shared, "Our deepest hope is to finally end this constant suffering: to see him eat, drink, and sleep without pain, to eliminate the recurring fevers, and to reclaim our energetic, cheerful boy who has been hidden by discomfort and irritability."

Chakriya is a 39-year-old man from Takaeo province, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and two children. His oldest child is in kindergarten, and his youngest child is two years old. His wife stays at home to look after the children and manage household tasks. In his free time, he enjoys planting vegetables around his home and listening to music. For the past 14 years, Chakriya has been living with ankylosing spondylitis - a chronic inflammatory arthritis primarily affecting the spine, causing back pain, stiffness, and inflammation, especially the base of the spine and pelvis. Around one year ago, Chakriya began experiencing pain in his right hip, which has caused difficulty walking and limited his ability to perform daily tasks independently. He had previously undergone a total hip arthroplasty on his left hip in 2014 with the help of our medical partner. Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Chakriya decided to travel back to CSC for treatment on his right hip. On January 16th, he will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will cost $1500, including surgery and post-op care. Chakriya and his family can contribute $50, and need support for the remaining cost. Surgeons will operate on his right hip to relieve pain and improve mobility, allowing him to move comfortably and return to work. Chakriya said, "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk easily and no longer have hip pain, so I can do my job properly."

Sopha is a 36-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is from Kompong Thum province and is married with three children. Her older children are in school, and the one-year-old stays home with her. Her husband is also a rice farmer. When Sopha is not outside working the farm, she looks after her children and feeds their hens and ducks. On July 1, 2025, Sopha slipped on a wet floor and suffered a right ankle injury. She could not afford any care at the local clinic, and visited a Khmer traditional healer, who placed a splint on her ankle and gave her ointment to apply. Two months after this injury, she still has pain, which prevents her from walking long distances. This limits her ability to help with farming and fully care for her children. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On September 9th, Sopha will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will realign her bone fracture using hardware to hold it in place, promoting proper healing and function. After her fracture is healed, she will be able to walk comfortably again and return to helping her husband in the rice fields and caring for her family. Sopha can contribute $50, but needs help to raise $550 to fund her procedure and care. Sopha said: "After the surgery, I hope that I will be able to walk without any pain and help my husband with the rice field."