Constant is a two-year-old boy from Malawi. He is the last-born child in a family of four children, and his mother manages the home while his father runs a small electronics business to support the family. Constant has an right inguinal hernia, a condition that occurs when abdominal tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the lower abdominal muscles, causing a bulge in the groin area. The condition has brought periods of discomfort and worry to his young life. His mother has watched him grow while also keeping a close eye on the swelling, especially when it becomes more noticeable. At his age, Constant should be free to play, explore and enjoy being a child without his family having to worry about a condition that may require surgery. His parents have sought help because they want to see him treated and able to grow without the discomfort and uncertainty that have accompanied the hernia. After assessment at Nkhoma Hospital, Constant's mother was advised that he would need hernia repair surgery. When the family learnt about the cost of treatment, they were worried as they could not afford the full amount. His mother is hopeful that, with support, her little boy can receive the treatment he needs and be able to grow up healthy, active, and free from the burden of this condition. Fortunately, on August 11th, Constant will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. His family is contributing towards his care, but still needs to raise $421 more for his treatment. Constant’s mother said, “As his mother, all I want is to see Constant grow up healthy and free from this problem. He is still so young, and I want him to be able to play, run and enjoy his childhood without us worrying about the swelling. I am hopeful that with the help of the donor program, he will receive the surgery he needs and have a better future.”

Ester is a small-scale farmer and 38-year-old mother of 3 school-aged children. She is a humble and gentle person who traveled very far and waited patiently overnight for her diagnosis, after being directed to a surgical support program at the hospital due to the pain she is experiencing. She completed some school, but never got a chance to continue her education due to a lack of school fees. She does farming for a living but mostly does causal labour work in other people’s gardens to earn a side income. Her husband is a construction site porter. Ten years ago, Ester began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ester receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on October 4th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money to fund it. Ester says “All my hopes of getting healed of this condition are in you because I have tried on my own and failed. Please help me with this.”

Nalin is a 16-month-old toddler and the only child in her family. Her father is a construction worker in the capital city of Phnom Penh and her mother stays home to watch her. Nalin likes to drink milk and play with toys. Her favorite thing in the world is to fall asleep in the arms of her mom. When Nalin was two months old, she was burned on her left fingers with hot porridge. Her mother took her to a children's hospital for burn treatment, but she developed severe contractures due to the burn. Nalin now has scarring and is unable to flex her fingers making it difficult to hold or grasp objects. When Nalin's mother learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery so Nalin can move her finger easily again. CSC is raising $495 to fund this life-altering procedure for Nalin. Nalin's mother shared, "I hope after surgery she can move her finger and get well soon."

Neang is a 63-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has three sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. She and her husband care for her elderly mother, and they live in the same village as their children. In her free time, Neang likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and help care for her grandchildren. One year ago, Neang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to experience eye tearing, blurry vision, and difficulty seeing in bright and dim lighting. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Neang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On July 12th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Neang shares, "I hope after surgery I can see better. I hope to recognize the faces of my family and take care of my children."

Bory is a 40-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is married with one son, two daughters, and one grandchild. She lives with her farmer husband and her children. At home, she likes to read the news on her phone and cook for her family. Three months ago, Bory developed a chalazion in both eyes, causing her burning, itchiness,and irritation. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in a patient's tear gland. She does not see clearly and it is difficult for her to do household tasks. Bory traveled for two and a half hours to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. On October 5th, surgeons will remove the cyst through a chalazion excision procedure. After recovery, Bory's symptoms should improve. She needs help raising $210 to fund this procedure. Bory says, "I hope after surgery the cysts from my eye will be gone, and I won't be itchy. I want to go outside again and be able to help my family."

Chanthy is a 34-year-old farmer, who works alongside her husband in the rice fields. She is married and has one daughter. After a long day outside, she likes to cook for her family and watch Khmer movies on TV. For the past several years, Chanthy has had facial pain and headaches. She suffers from frequent fevers, has difficulty sleeping or breathing out of her nose, and often feels poorly. Surgeons have determined Chanthy has a nasal cyst that obstructs her breathing and is frequently infected. Chanthy traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On September 6th, surgeons at our medical partner's care center will remove the mass. Now, Children's Surgical Center, is helping Chanthy raise $273 to fund this procedure. Chanthy shared, "I hope my infection will go away, and I will be able to breathe and take good care of my family again."

Saros is a 17-year-old 8th grade student from Cambodia. Her family includes two brothers, three sisters, and her parents, who fish to support their family. Saros enjoys swimming, playing with her friends, and watching TV. Her best subject in school is Khmer literature, and she wants to be a lawyer when she is older. In 2019, Saros was burned by fire on her left foot. She went to Vietnam for treatment. Since then, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her toes and ankle and making it difficult for her to walk. When Saros learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On September 1st, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her walk easily again. Now, she needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Saros says, "I hope my foot can move and be comfortable again."

Perlisa is a 34-year-old, full-time mother of two sons and one daughter, living in the Philippines. Her partner is a construction worker, with only limited earnings to support the family. In 2020, Perlisa began to experience a broad constellation of symptoms, ranging from weight loss and extreme fatigue, to chest pain and shortness of breath, a bloated stomach and back pain. After undergoing an ultrasound, it was determined that Perlisa had a gallstone which needed to be surgically removed. Because of a lack of funds, Perlisa delayed her surgery, missed appointments with her doctors, and relied on medications to ease her symptoms. Ultimately, Perlisa found her way to our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and they will be able help Perlisa access the care that she needs. On September 10th, Perlisa will undergo surgery to have her gallbladder removed at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Without this procedure, Perlisa's symptoms could worsen, and she would be at risk for more health complications in the future. While a portion of the cost of Perlisa's procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is looking to raise the remaining $826 needed to cover the costs of Perlisa's surgery and care. "Ive been praying for so long to be treated for my illness. We're financially incapable to pay for my medical bills. This surgery is an answered prayer." Perlisa shared. "I'm eternally grateful to WATSI, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and all the doctors who helped me. May the Lord continue to bless you so that you may be able to help more people," she added.

Im is a 69-year-old farmer with two sons, three daughters, and many grandchildren. Im lives with her youngest daughter. She enjoys exercising in the morning, cooking for her family, and caring for her grandchildren. She developed squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) on the right side of her face 10 years ago. It has grown over time and has become very uncomfortable, causing itchiness and pain. She has tried applying ointment from the pharmacy and Khmer traditional medicine treatments, to no avail. When Im learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On May 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform an excision, histology, and rhomboid flap procedure to remove the skin cancer. Now, she needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Im says, "I hope my face heals and I do not experience this pain again."

Annet is a hardworking small-scale farmer. She is originally from Congo but currently lives in southwest Uganda, where she settled down and started her family. She is a single mother of three children and unfortunately lost her husband to the war in Congo. Since she supports her family alone, she trades in coffee from time to time to supplement her income from the farm. Three years ago, Annet began experiencing troubling symptoms, including neck swelling and breathing problems. She also could not carry heavy luggage on her head like other women in the village. She was diagnosed with multinodular goitre, meaning she has enlarged thyroid glands. In order to alleviate her symptoms and heal her condition, Annet must undergo surgery. However, she cannot fund her needed procedure due to financial constraints. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Annet receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 4th at AMHF's care center, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. Now, Annet needs help funding this $252 procedure. Annet says, “I am all my children have got. With poor health, I won’t be in the position to sustain them, but I hope that with your support, all will be well.”