Koem Hen is a mother of five and a 62-year-old rice farmer who has three daughters, two sons, and many grandchildren. Because Koem Hen is older, she no longer works in the field. Nowadays, she helps her youngest daughter to take care of grandchildren and sell food out of their house. Her husband passed away from tetanus 20 years ago. In her free time, she likes to listen to the radio, especially the chanting and preaching of the monks, and watch Khmer dramas on TV. Ten years ago, Koem Hen developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her eye to look unsightly, with itchiness and frequent tearing. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Koem Hen learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours with her daughter seeking treatment. Koem Hen needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 18th. Koem Hen shared, "I hope that after surgery, I will have good eyesight again. I want to take care of myself and my grandchildren, cook for my family, and help my daughter."

Su is a 16-year-old girl from Burma. She has three siblings. Su’s mother is a home maker, and her older brother works as a day labourer. Su and her youngest sister are students and this year Su is in grade seven. Her family's combined monthly income is around 200,000 kyat (approx. 200 USD) per month, which is just enough for their daily expenses, but not enough to pay for basic healthcare. When she has free time, Su loves to play football with her friends at school and she likes to be the goalkeeper. She also loves to read books and watch movies. Su plans to continue her studies as soon as she finishes her treatment. Su 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, Su still feels tired, but not as much as before she started taking her medication. When she feels more tired, her breath quickens. Su has stopped attending school since she got sick. Although she wants to go back to school, her mother worries for her as her school is a little far and she normally walks there. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Su. The treatment is scheduled to take place on February 12nd and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably. Su's mother shared, “Su really wants to go to school but I worry that the long walking distance from our house to her school will make her tired and worsen her condition. So, I asked her to stay home for a while until she can get treated.”

Sanchez is a 3-year-old boy from Haiti. He is an only child who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes drawing pictures and playing with toy cars. Sanchez has a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, which means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. He will fly to the United States to receive life-saving treatment. On February 17th, Sanchez will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will close the hole in his heart by sewing a patch over it. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $17,000 to pay for the surgery. Sanchez's family also needs help funding the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social worker from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Sanchez's family overseas. Sanchez's mother shared, "our family has been praying for years that our child would be able to have this surgery. We are nervous but very glad it is happening!"

Atuhaire is a mother of three who practices produce farming along with her husband to meet their family's needs. For the past five years, she has had abdominal and back pains and other troubling symptoms. She came to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Nyakibale Hospital after other treatment and pain relief have not helped relieve her. Doctors have diagnosed her with uterine fibroids and she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Atuhaire's surgery. On February 23rd, she will undergo gynecological surgery at our medical partner's care center. Once recovered, Atuhaire will finally be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Atuhaire says: “I had always been engaged in home activities like washing, cooking, and cleaning well, but because of this condition, things have changed. I hope that with surgery, my health will be restored. I plan to continue with farming once I am better.”

Vannak is a rice farmer with four daughters. She lives with her eldest daughter, who is a grocery seller. Three years ago, Vannak developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Vannak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On January 6th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see more clearly and walk around outside confidently. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Vannak shared, "I want to see well again so I can help my daughter take care of her children and be able to visit the pagoda."