Samnang is a friendly young 5-year-old girl. The youngest child in her family, she has three older sisters and two older brothers. Her brothers are soldiers and her sisters are students. Her mother is a farmer and grows rainy-day rice. They lost their father due to an unknown illness last year. Samnang does not yet attend school and likes to play with toys, watch TV, and go to the market with her mother. At home, she likes her mother to cook Khmer noodles and fried chicken. In February 2021, Samnang fell five feet to the floor from her mother's kitchen counter and hit the right side of her head. Within weeks, she was unable to open her mouth and suffered from chronic ear pain. Her jaw has become progressively more rigid, she has difficulty eating and drinking, and feels poorly. After consulting with a local children's hospital and receiving only pain medication, she was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for diagnosis and treatment. Doctors diagnosed her with a fracture of the right mandibular condyle - part of the temporomandibular joint in her jaw - and recommend a condylectomy of the right side with a bone graft from part of her rib. Samnang's parents need help with the $469 surgery, which includes medications and post-operative care in the hospital. Samnang's mother said: "I am so worried that my daughter hurt herself and I could not get her good care. I hope the doctors can fix her mouth so she no longer has pain, can eat and able to go to school next year."

Ren is a 70-year-old traditional Khmer cake seller from Cambodia. She has one daughter, four sons, and many grandchildren. Ren lives with her daughter who sells cakes with her as Ren's husband passed away 20 years ago. At home she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Three years ago, Ren developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her photophobia and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Ren learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for five hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Ren says, "I hope after surgery my eye can see well so I can help my daughter bake and sell cakes and take care of my grandchildren."

Pheaktra is a 21-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He is the oldest child in a family of five. His mother is a teacher. After finishing high school studies, Pheaktra joined his father in working on their family farm. He enjoys listening to music while he works. A year ago, Pheaktra was in a motor accident and suffered trauma to his right shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Pheaktra cannot move his right arm or hand, and he cannot pick up or hold anything. Pheaktra traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 2nd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will regain function in his shoulder and arm, and will be able to return to all the daily activities he could do before the accident. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Pheaktra said, "My family was so worried for me because I cannot recover, so I want to get better in order to make them feel better too."

Mary is a peasant farmer from Kenya. Three years ago, she felt a painless lump on her left breast which was dismissed as a fatty lump at a local clinic. In 2018, the lump became painful and she sought medical care. She was still advised to wait. However, in 2019, she sought treatment from a different hospital. She had a biopsy done and cancer was suspected. She came to our facility where an x-ray was done and surgery recommended. Mary and her husband tend to their small farm to eke out a living. The mother of 4 children does not have any medical insurance and was not able to raise the funds required in the previous facility. Her children are not in any employment making it hard to consolidate funds needed. Mary has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Mary. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 3rd. After treatment, Mary will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Mary says, “My hope is to have the cancer treated so that I continue providing for my family.”

Lucy, an elderly lady from central Kenya, has been diagnosed with a right eye cataract. Two years ago, she had a left eye cataract surgery funded by Watsi. Recently, she had the right eye cataract matured and after review, surgery was recommended. Lucy, a very lively lady used to work in Kijabe Hospital over 3 decades ago until she retired. Currently, she gets support from her children to meet her daily needs. Her children are, however, not in formal employment and so meeting health cost for her is hard for them. They have families to provide for as well. After the treatment, Lucy will be able to see with better clarity and reduced chances of further vision loss. Fortunately, Lucy is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove and replace the blurred lens. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $220 procedure. “I will appreciate financial help accorded towards my surgery,” says Lucy.

Nkojo is a farmer from Uganda. He grows beans, cassava, and ground nuts. For one year, Nkojo has had inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and weakness. Fortunately, on February 20, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Nkojo's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, “After surgery I will resume with my activities at home.”

Bunthorn is a 63-year-old motorbike repairman who is married and has three sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. He likes to watch sports and the news on TV. Three years ago, Bunthorn developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, tearing, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Bunthorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On December 13, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Bunthorn will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope that my eyes can see everything more clearly," he says, "so that I can continue my business and easily go places by myself."

Aye is a 50-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two sons, one of whom attends a local school. Aye and her other son work as agricultural day laborers, cultivating rice and corn. Early this year, Aye began to experience uncomfortable symptoms in a sensitive area. She was referred to our medical partner’s hospital for investigation. Her blood levels were low, so she received a blood transfusion. An ultrasound revealed endometrial hyperplasia, an abnormal uterine condition. On November 28, Aye underwent a total hysterectomy. Aye’s condition has prevented her from working. Her family cannot afford this $1,500 procedure, and they need our help. “I want to get back to work and help my son,” says Aye.

Athumani is a newborn from Tanzania. He is the second-born of twins. Soon after his birth, Athumani's mother noticed that her son had an abnormal back. After visiting a government hospital, she was referred to a Watsi medical partner hospital, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC). There, she learned that Athumani has myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus. Essentially, part of Athumani's back did not develop properly, and his spinal cord was exposed. He was at risk of infections or spinal cord damage. He needed surgery to repair his back. ALMC doctors began treating Athumani on October 17, 2016. His treatment plan includes a myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus repair to restore spine function and prevent further infection. Unfortunately, Athumani's parents have no means to pay for this treatment. They are farmers who plant maize and beans. They need help to cover his $1,200 treatment, which includes Athumani's surgery, hospital stay, and medications.

“Three-year-old Telvin was born with his urethral opening placed abnormally on the ventral side of his penis,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Telvin may experience impotence and social stigma if not treated. Passing urine for him is a challenge and he will not be able to pass urine in a standing position in the future if not treated.” Treatment for Telvin’s condition, called hypospadias, is too expensive for his parents to afford. His parents are married and live with their son in central Kenya. “Telvin’s father works as a casual cleaner in a local dispensary and his mother works in a kitchenware shop,” AMHF continues. “They took two years to try to raise funds. Despite all that they did, they were unable to raise the funds needed.” Telvin’s hypospadias repair costs $655 and will allow him to pass urine normally. “Being our only child, we want what is best for Telvin,” his mother shares. “We had been trying to get a child for a while and he came as a great blessing. We want Telvin to grow up knowing that his parents love him.”

Joselin is a 19-year-old Guatemalan woman, who needs treatment for cataracts. She is developmentally delayed, and started to lose her eyesight due to cataracts a few years ago. Without eyesight, her ability to work and socialize is compromised. Joselin is from a large family with many young children. As she gets older, her family struggles to support her. “Although she is mentally challenged, she is an extremely capable individual, and could potentially work or contribute to the household in some way,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “However, without eyesight life is made much more difficult, and her ability to work and assist her family is close to eliminated.” “Even though she wants to learn, Joselin has never attended school,” continues WK. “Social stigma around her appearance and weakened ability to physically see others has limited her social interactions/community acceptance, and now she spends many days sitting at home.” With $1485, Joselin will receive cataract surgery to remove the cloudy lens, which will be replaced by a clear lens implant. The cost also includes antibiotic drops as well as transportation costs. Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed worldwide and only takes an hour. Just one day after surgery, Joselin’s vision will improve to 20/20.

This is little four-year-old Ashish from Nepal. He was born with a club foot and was recently diagnosed with cerebral palsy while undergoing treatment for an inguinal hernia. Cerebral palsy threatens Ashish’s ability to perform the most basic functions including speaking, standing, walking, feeding and toilet training. Because his condition was caught early, treatment has a much higher chance of impact. Ashish is the youngest of four siblings and was born into an agricultural family. His parents' farm is only able to provide two months income per year so Ashish’s father works as a mason and his mother as a manual laborer for the rest of the year. Ashish’s mother is hoping he can pursue an education after his treatment. Unlike other children with his condition, Ashish has an uncommon fascination with books. For $1470, Ashish will receive surgery for his club foot, the physiotherapy he needs to prevent stiffening of his joints as well as the rehabilitation needed to learn basic life skills. Your donation will help Ashish get closer to joining his peers in school!