Lidianny is a two-year-old girl from the Dominican Republic. She was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. This means that a hole in her heart that normally closes shortly after birth remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and weak. Nevertheless, this smiley young girl loves playing with her Barbie dolls. Although Lidianny is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Lidianny will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 18. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Lidianny also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Lidianny's surgical care. Her mother remains optimistic, saying, "We are very hopeful that this surgery will return our daughter to health so she can start preschool next year with the other children."

Soknov is a 68-year-old married farmer with a daughter and three grandchildren. She likes to join ceremonies at the pagoda in her free time. Soknov heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from her neighbor. She traveled for three hours with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment. Soknov developed a cataract in each eye about two years ago, causing her blurred vision, tearing, cloudy lenses, and photophobia. It is difficult for Soknov to see things clearly. On April 5, Soknov will undergo surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, CSC's care center. CSC is requesting $292 to fund her treatment. After a phacoemulsification procedure and intraocular lens implant in each eye, Soknov will be able to see things clearly again.

Koemsor is a 42-year-old farmer from Cambodia who is married with two sons, one daughter, and one grandchild. During her free time, she enjoys watching Khmer and Indian movies. Two years ago, Koemsor developed a pterygium in each eye. A pterygium is a condition in which excess tissue grows over the eye, causing blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. Koemsor traveled three hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On May 2, doctors at CSC will surgically remove the excess tissue from Koemsor's eyes. After this procedure, she will be able to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $148 to help fund this medical intervention.

Ma Kyi is a 23-year-old woman who lives in a village in Burma with her husband, grandfather, and son. She was born with a congenital heart defect that has gone undiagnosed for most of her life. When her son was 20 months old, Ma Kyi began experiencing extreme fatigue. In January, as her condition began to deteriorate, Ma Kyi and her husband left their jobs in a factory in Bangkok to return to Burma. They have been unable to work since, and Ma Kyi's husband is very concerned about his wife's health. Finally, Ma Kyi and her husband traveled for eight hours to seek treatment from our medical partner. Her husband says, "I am worried about my wife." To treat her heart condition, Ma Kyi will undergo a single valve replacement surgery on March 16. $1,500 has been requested for her surgery and hospital stay.

Htoo is a ten-year-old boy from Burma. He lives in a village with his parents and his three siblings. Htoo attends school and is in the third grade. In November of 2016, Htoo received treatment for abnormal swelling in his lymph nodes. At this time, he underwent a [CT scan](https://watsi.org/profile/32ad5bbaafb4-htoo) funded by Watsi. The scan was used to investigate swelling in his lymph nodes, an organ that is part of the lymphatic system and is essential to a properly-functioning immune system. Physicians diagnosed him with lymphadenopathy, a disease of the lymph nodes. They have scheduled surgery to remove the mass identified in the CT scan on January 30. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Htoo's surgery. After his surgery, the mass will be sent to a laboratory for biopsy testing to determine if it is benign or cancerous. Htoo's mother says, "I am excited. I'm happy my son is getting surgery now because I would have never been able to afford it myself, and I wouldn't know where else to look for the right treatment. I hope he will be more healthy after surgery. I love him so much. I have decided to support him in whatever he wants to be in the future."

Eunice is a 22-year-old mother from Uganda. She and her husband, Hudu, have one daughter and are currently expecting their second child. Eunice is a student in a tertiary institution, while her husband is a driver. Eunice enjoys spending time with friends and watching her daughter play with the other children in the community. Eunice has a severe form of oligohydromnios, a condition characterized by a deficiency of amniotic fluid. She also delivered her first child through C-section. For these reasons, her doctors consider her pregnancy to be high-risk. They recommend that she receive medical attention before, during, and after labor to ensure a safe delivery. On February 6, she will begin to receive supplements and attend antenatal checkups and health education classes. She will deliver her baby in the hospital, where she will undergo a C-section. After birth, Eunice and her baby will be monitored by the hospital staff. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $241 to help Eunice safely deliver her baby. Eunice is looking forward to giving birth to a healthy child. She says, "Thank you so much for the help with my safe delivery."

Lazaro is a one-month-old boy. He is the second child in his family. The family lives in Tanzania, where his parents raise livestock. When he was born, his mother noticed that his feet were turned inwards. His family took him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed him with congenital talipes equinovarus, more commonly known as bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot is a musculoskeletal malformation present from birth, in which one or both feet bend inward due to shortened tendons. If left untreated, this condition will make walking quite difficult for Lazaro throughout his life. Fortunately, Lazaro will undergo corrective surgery on January 17. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1160 to fund Lazaro's care. "I hope that my child will be treated and then be able to straighten his legs," says Lazaro's mother.

Richard is an 18-year-old young man living in Uganda. He is a student who enjoys reading newspapers and listening to music. His best subjects are mathematics, agriculture, and economics. He also enjoys playing soccer and volleyball. Last month, Richard sustained a fracture in his right fibula and tibia. He was in pain, and he was unable to move his leg. He received first aid from his school. Then, his friends carried him on a stretcher to our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Richard's physician recommended he undergo a non-surgical intervention to immobilize his right leg with casting or splinting. He began treatment on November 15. The total cost of the treatment includes medications, imaging, and three days of inpatient care. Richard has contributed four dollars toward his treatment, but he needs help to pay his remaining $133 medical bill. During recovery, his right leg will will regain normal functionality, and his pain will cease. Richard looks forward to playing soccer and continuing with his studies. “I pray for God’s protection to the people donating toward my treatment," shares Richard.

Khun is a 62-year-old rice farmer with three sons, two daughters, and eight grandchildren. She likes to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray. Five years ago, Khun developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, burning, itchiness, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Khun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On October 26, doctors performed small incision cataract surgery in each eye and inserted intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, Khun needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope that my eyes can see everything more clearly," she says, "so that I can continue my work in my rice fields, do housework, and go anywhere outside by myself."

AJ Michael is an eight-month-old baby boy from the Philippines, and his parent's first child. His father works as a farmer, while his mother stays home and takes care of him. They live in a house made of wood and have electricity and water access. AJ Michael is suffering from malnutrition. He needs treatment to regain his health and strength, as well as prevent future complications. Watsi medical partner International Care Ministries' (ICM) Home-Based Feeding program will provide AJ Michael with nutrient enriched food packs to ensure he gets additional food to regain normal weight, and achieve optimum physical and mental development. Staff and community volunteers will make weekly visits to monitor AJ Michael's progress. To help sustain his health, ICM's professional staff will educate his parents about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and organic vegetable gardening. $268 will cover the costs of the care AJ Michael needs. Let's help raise the funds!

Umesh is an eighteen-year-old from Nepal who lives with his parents and siblings. His father runs a shop in the village and he supports his father in his work. His mother is responsible for grazing the cattle and looking after their farm. It was a dark night when Umesh was walking down a flight of stairs. Suddenly, he tripped and fell on the ground, fracturing his left hand. He has been in so much pain since then, and had to take medication to control the pain. He has difficulty moving the injured hand and there is some swelling too. Umesh's family hired a jeep and took five hours to visit Bayalpata hospital, where Umesh will be fitted with a cast. After treatment, Umesh will have to do physiotherapy exercises to regain mobility of his hand. "I would be happy if I get relieved from pain," shares Umesh.

41-year-old Myint Khaing lives with her husband and four children in a village in Burma. "She and her husband have been married for eleven years. All of their children attend school," reports our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Myint Khaing has been pregnant 10 times and had two miscarriages. In 2014, she noticed a growth in her lower abdomen. One year later, it had increased in size. During a family visit to another part of Burma, Myint Khaing learned about a local clinic that partners with BBP and sought care. Doctors diagnosed her with uterine fibroids, a painful condition caused by noncancerous growths in the uterus. "Currently, her condition includes the discharge of blood clots, chills, headaches, occasional vomiting, and painful urination. Sometimes she is unable to urinate, which further compounds her pain," BBP explains. "Myint Khaing is a house wife and her husband is the sole provider of the family," shares BBP. He earns about $20 per month as a fisherman. In her free time, Mying Khaing likes to plant vegetables and clean around the home. Currently, the family is about $200 in debt to a neighbor, mostly for school fees and other living expenses. For $1,015, we can fund a hysterectomy to remove Myint Khaing's uterus and cervix. This will relieve her pain and other symptoms, allowing her to return to a normal life.