Flor is a 49-year-old woman from the Philippines. She is a community health worker. She enjoys doing household chores and loves working with children. Six years ago, Flor was diagnosed with a cervical leiomyoma, a condition in which a benign tumor exists in the cervix. Because of her condition, Flor feels easily fatigued and dizzy, which affects her daily activities. Since learning about her condition, Flor has also been experiencing insomnia, as she is very worried about the future of her nephew, niece, and parents. Recently, Flor was advised to undergo surgery. Flor and her family, however, cannot afford the cost of treatment. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $1,500 to cover hospital fees, medications, and labor costs. On March 1, Flor will be receiving a hysterectomy, a surgery in which a part or all of the uterus is removed. After the surgery, Flor will finally be able to work to support her family. "When I will be well, I will look for better ways to support my family and work to support my niece and nephew's education," Flor says. "My life will serve as evidence that anything is possible if you are really determined and persevere.​ Thank you so much in advance for the help."

Haswell is an energetic 72-year-old farmer from a village located in the Central Region of Malawi. In his 72 years, Haswell and his wife have been blessed with six children and thirteen grandchildren. He spends much of his day working on building projects. In his down time, his favorite thing to do is talk with his wife, who he affectionately refers to as "my one beloved." Three weeks ago, Haswell started experiencing urinary dysfunction. These troubling symptoms brought Haswell to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. If left untreated, this condition can lead to urinary retention, bladder infections or stones, or kidney damage. Physicians have recommended a minimally invasive procedure known as a prostate resection, in which part of the prostate will be removed. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, has requested $726 to fund Haswell's procedure, scheduled for February 2. Haswell is looking forward to his surgery, saying, "I am happy to have surgery. I will have peace of mind".

Cho is a 32-year-old woman originally from Burma. One year ago, she moved to Mae Sot, Thailand with her family in search of better job opportunities. Since then, she and her eldest daughter have been working at a wool factory. Unfortunately, about three months ago, Cho started to experience symptoms of abdominal pain and fever. When medication from a local clinic did not help, she decided to go to our medical partner's care center for an examination. The doctor performed an ultrasound test, and Cho was diagnosed with gallstones with cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder. Now, with the help of our medical partner, Cho is scheduled to undergo repair surgery on January 19. She needs help to raise $1,500 to fund this operation. Cho wishes to return to work as soon as possible. She plans to work in Mae Sot for a few more years before returning to Burma with her family. Cho's husband says, "I am very happy that my wife is receiving help.”

Maria was born one month ago weighing 5.4 pounds, and she has not gained any weight since birth. Maria's mother cannot produce breastmilk, so Maria is small and malnourished. She often cries from hunger, and her mother uses the only substance she can afford––warm sugar water––to soothe her. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Maria’s health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. It can also provoke electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development is compromised, so Maria is at risk of long-term damage. Fortunately, on November 3, 2016, Maria began a treatment program with Watsi's medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq. Lactation failure, while dangerous, is easy to treat. By supplying Maria with formula and her mother with health education, Maria will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Maria’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her daughter. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. Maria’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. Maria is the fifth child in her family. Her mother takes of the household, and her brothers look after her. Unfortunately, her family’s limited income puts treatment for Maria outside of their reach. The family needs help to fund this $1,107 intervention. “I am very worried," says Maria's mother, "because when I brought her to the public health center, they told me my daughter was not growing well...We don’t have the resources necessary to be able to buy her milk, and I feel sad because I don’t want to watch my daughter get sick. I want to watch her grow healthy. With your help, I trust that my daughter will get better...I hope that when she is grown she will be a teacher.”

Rin is an 81-year-old woman who is married with three sons, four daughters, and twenty grandchildren. She likes to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray and join ceremonies. Rin heard about Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) from a neighbor who had surgery there before. She traveled for one hour with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment. Rin developed a cataract in each eye about six months ago, causing blurred vision. It is difficult for her to see things clearly and go anywhere on her own. $292 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Rin needs to see clearly again. The surgery will consist of an extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and an intraocular lens (IOL) implant in each eye. Extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) is a category of eye surgery in which the lens of the eye is removed while the elastic capsule that covers the lens is left partially intact to allow implantation of an intraocular lens (IOL). Rin says, "I hope to see everything more clear than now so that I can go to the pagoda or anywhere else outside without needing to disturb another person to take care of me."

“My son is showing great improvements and I am hopeful that he will one day be able to walk,” shares Josephat’s mother. Her four-month-old son was born with multiple congenital defects, including a left club foot. Josephat has already undergone other surgeries but now needs another one to ensure that he can one day walk. Josephat was previously a Watsi patient and underwent surgery to close a spinal cord opening last year, in partnership with African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Josephat is at home now with his parents and grandparents in Tanzania and is doing much better. AMHF says, "He is feeding better, he is able to lift his head up and turn his neck around while lying on his tummy, and he can move his limbs." Josephat's mother stays home to care for him while his father works on his parents' farm. The extended family subsist on this farm and his parents are unable to afford the surgery Josephat needs. With $1160, Josephat will undergo surgery to correct his clubfoot. This operation will realign the bones in his leg and foot so that he can begin to put weight on his left foot and strengthen his muscles enough to one-day walk. Together, we can make walking a reality for Josephat!

“I am looking forward to doing chores at home without experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, and difficulty swallowing,” shares Torteliana, a 50-year-old farmer who lives with her family in a nipa hut in the Philippines. For the last 15 years, Torteliana has had an enlarged thyroid, commonly known as a goiter. Typically presenting as a lump or swelling at the front of the neck, a goiter can become large enough to obstruct nearby structures and cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. Most goiters are due to a deficiency of iodine, an important element in the body’s production of thyroid hormones that regulate the body's metabolism. Because of the goiter, “Torteliana cannot carry heavy objects and cannot do heavy tasks at home,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “And because it is visible enough due to its size, it really gets people's attention when she passes by, and she is embarrassed by it.” Despite her worsening symptoms, “Torteliana was not examined by a doctor because of lack of finances,” ICM continues. In addition to working on her farm, she sells local goods at the market, but “she cannot afford the treatment needed because her income is barely enough for the everyday needs of her family.” Doctors recommend that Torteliana undergo a thyroidectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the thyroid gland. $1,500 covers the cost of the surgery, transportation to and from the hospital, 10 days of hospital care—including medicine, imaging, and blood tests—and medication to take after she returns home. “After the treatment, Torteliana will not experience difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or chest pain,” ICM tells us. “She can do her activities of daily living with confidence. She can be productive and boost her self-esteem.” “I am very thankful that somebody could help me to have this operation for free,” says Torteliana. “I am hopeful that after this, I can work with less difficulty to sustain my family's needs."

Erla is a 48-year-old woman from Haiti. In 2013, she felt a small pain in her right breast. Over time, the mass grew and Erla began to notice unusual secretions from her breast. “She decided to see a doctor in a neighborhood outside of Port-au-Prince,” says our medical partner, Project Medishare. “She could not unfortunately meet the doctor because there were too many people waiting. She stayed home all those two long years with pain until she heard a radio announcement about a hospital which has special services for people with breast masses.” “She decided to come and get diagnosed by having some lab tests done,” her doctor continues. “The result revealed that she had breast cancer. She spent six months following the process with a chemotherapy and now the time has come for her to be operated on to remove her cancer.” Erla needs a mastectomy to remove her breast, which will cost $849. She has very little money, especially since her husband passed away after the earthquake in Haiti. “She used to have a small business selling items of different sorts,” her doctor says. “Now, because of her sickness, she practically can’t do anything anymore. She is supported by her elder son who doesn’t have much money and can’t pay for the treatment.” “She wishes God to make the operation successful,” her doctor adds. “She hopes that you can help her take this important step in her treatment. Hopefully, she will be able to restart her small business.”

Thol is a 67-year-old woman living in Cambodia with her husband, two sons, three daughters, and 12 grandchildren. Thol has a cataract in her right eye, which causes blurred vision, pain, and irritation. “It is hard for me to do any work and I cannot walk very well,” explains Thol. For $150, Thol's cataract can be surgically corrected. “After a phaco procedure and intraocular lens (IOL) implant for Thol’s right eye, the cataract will be removed,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, explains. “Thol will be able to see much better than before.” “I hope my mother can see everything clearer now so she can help me do some housework and take care of my child at home,” Thol’s daughter shares. “Also, I hope she can walk anywhere by herself and that I can stop worrying about her having an eye problem in the future.” “I want to see everything clearer than now,” Thol says.