Seven year old Isack lives with his parents and one younger sibling in the Arusha region of Tanzania. His father works at a carwash, while his mother is a homemaker. Isack was born with clubfoot - a congenital condition - that has affected his mobility, as his foot is twisted out of shape, making it difficult for him to wear shoes or to walk. Despite having the opportunity for treatment at a young age, financial constraints prevented his parents from completing all of the necessary post-operative requirements. Consequently, Isack experienced a relapse shortly after the procedure, and has been living with the condition since he began walking. This condition causes him significant pain when walking long distances, and when trying to engage in sports with his friends. Fortunately, Isack's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, where the team will begin clubfoot treatment on December 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Isack's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play easily without pain. Isack’s mother says: “I hope this time around we will be able to complete my son’s treatment, and his leg will not cause him any trouble in the future.”

Lekere is a joyful 7-year-old from Kenya who is in the second grade. She is the firstborn in a family of five children. Lekere's favorite activities are playing with other kids and writing. Her father is a herder, and her mother is a homemaker. Lekere was born with clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Currently, Lekere tiptoes as she walks and often falls while walking, making it difficult for her to engage with her peers fully. Lekere has been undergoing serial casting for five weeks as part of her healing process. The purpose of serial casting is to soften the tissue to achieve better results after surgery. Lekere is scheduled for clubfoot repair surgery on November 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,286 to fund Lekere's clubfoot repair surgery. After treatment, she will be able to walk well, play with her peers at home and in school, and continue growing into a strong, healthy young girl. Lekere's mother said, "My joy is seeing my girl walking normally like other children."

Yesica is an 8-year-old girl who lives with her parents and 2 younger brothers in a mining city high in the mountains of central Bolivia. Her father works in construction, and her mother is a homemaker. Yesica is in second grade and loves attending school and learning about science. Yesica was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Yesica needs surgery to heal this condition. Fortunately, our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance (ICA) can help. Yesica is scheduled for cardiac surgery on October 11th, during which doctors will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. After surgery, she will be able to be more active and grow up to be a strong young woman. Yesica's family and ICA need help raising $1,500 to fund the procedure and her follow-up medical care. Her mother shared, "Our family is very hopeful that Yesica will be stronger and healthier after her surgery."

Simwenda is a three-year-old boy from Tanzania. He resides in a village in the Mpanda district. His parents, hardworking farmers, work daily to provide for their family’s subsistence needs. Simwenda was born with a clubfoot - a birth abnormality in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. The tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual, causing the foot to twist and making walking and wearing shoes difficult. Simwenda’s parents, with limited resources and no access to medical insurance, could only watch their son’s condition worsen for three years. It broke their hearts to see him suffer. The nearest hospital could not provide the treatment he needed. Simwenda’s parents shared their son’s story with their community, hoping for help and learned that services would be available at the Plaster House, a care center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). However, Simwenda's parents encountered a significant obstacle in obtaining care: transportation costs. Their village is hundreds of miles from Arusha, where the medical care center is located. Simwenda’s family organized a fundraising event to raise money for the transportation and additional expenses of the journey. Upon Simwenda’s arrival at the center, he received a warm welcome. The medical team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 15. AMH is requesting $935 to fund Simwenda's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with less struggle. Simwende’s mother says: “Despite our financial situations, we have tried so hard to get him treatment. I hope this time around our son has a chance to get treatment.”

Kenan, who is two months old, lives in the mountains near La Paz, Bolivia. His father is a gardener, while his mother sells fruit door to door. Kenan was born with two holes in and near his heart: one between the heart's two lower chambers, and the other between two major blood vessels next to his heart. Blood leaks through these holes, making it difficult for him to breathe and to gain weight. As a result, Kenan has been hospitalized on oxygen and nutritional support since he was born. He also has Down syndrome. On August 4th, doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría will sew the holes closed so that blood can no longer leak through them. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of Kenan's surgery and care. Kenan's mother said: "Our family is praying that once Kenan's heart is fixed, he will finally be able to come home from the hospital!"

Kyaw resides in Karen State, Burma, with his parents, aunt, and two brothers. Due to concerns over potential bombings by the military regime following the 2021 coup, Kyaw and his brothers had to stop attending school. His mother takes care of the household as a homemaker, while his aunt enjoys her retirement. Kyaw's father and oldest brother earn a living as day laborers, involved in loading and unloading trucks. In his free time, Kyaw finds solace in listening to songs and playing games, making the most of his free moments. On June 1st, Kyaw began to encounter discomfort and swelling in his lower left leg and difficulty bending his left knee. As the pain escalated, he sought medical attention, and the doctor's diagnosis revealed a tumor in his left leg. Subsequent diagnostic tests confirmed that he has osteosarcoma affecting his left tibia. Medical professionals recommend an amputation of his lower left leg to prevent the cancer from spreading. Now, his family seeks your help funding this $1,500 to ensure his recovery and significantly improve his quality of life. He said, “I would like to say thank you so much to you. This is the worst pain that I have ever felt. I want to be free from this pain and worry.”

Christian is a 24-year-old from the Philippines. He discontinued his studies to help his family with their finances. Currently, they depend on Christian, as well as his brother and his father, who both work in construction. Since birth, Christian has dealt with indirect inguinal hernia. This type of hernia causes him pain and limits his mobility. This also prevents him from engaging in physical activities or sports. Additionally, Christian also noticed that the hernia is growing in size, which worries his family. Fortunately, on May 31st, Christian will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. A portion of the cost of Christian's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is raising the remaining $1103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Christian shared, "These limitations caused by my condition frustrate me as I long to contribute to my family's financial stability. Through this surgery, I will be physically fit and will have the chance to land a well-paying job and finally be able to support my family. So to Watsi and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines, thank you!"

Peter is a student from Kenya who just completed secondary school. He is the third born in his family of seven children. Peter's father passed away, making his mother and older brother the primary providers for his family. His mother works as a small-scale farmer, while his brother works as a truck conductor. In his free time, Peter likes playing football with his friends. In early May, Peter slipped and fell on his left leg. His older brother brought him to the hospital, where Peter received an X-ray revealing a fractured tibia. He needs to undergo surgery to relieve his pain and ensure his leg heals properly to prevent future complications. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On May 15th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, he will be able to walk with ease. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Peter said: "I am just starting my adult life and have high hopes for how I wish it would be. I request your help so that my leg can be well again."

Paw, who is 50 years old, lives with her husband, two daughters, and four sons in an internally displaced people (IDP) camp in Karen State in Burma. They have no source of income and rely on the food support they receive from donors every month. In her free time, Paw enjoys weaving traditional Karen shirts and foraging for vegetables in the forest. In 2021, Paw started to experience pain in her lower abdomen and back. At first, she thought the pain would go away on its own; instead, it only intensified. Last year, she felt a mass in her lower abdomen, but she could not afford to seek treatment at a hospital. After Paw and her family fled to the IDP camp in December 2022, she went to the clinic in the camp, where she could access free, basic health care. Paw was referred to Mae Sariang Hospital for evaluation. At the hospital, she had an ultrasound and was diagnosed with bilateral ovarian tumors. The doctor told her that she needs surgery to remove her uterus and both of her ovaries. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Paw's surgery, which is scheduled to take place on April 23rd at Mae Sariang Hospital. After she has recovered from this procedure, Paw will no longer experience pain in her abdomen and back. "When the doctor told me I need to have the tumors removed, I felt happy that I will be free from this pain. I also feel very happy that your organization [BCMF] will help me pay for my treatment cost. I hope that I will recover soon, and that I will be able to work again. I want to say thank you so much to all the donors for their help. May they be blessed more and be prosperous,” said Paw.