Bros is a 36-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He has been married for 14 years and has four daughters who are all in school. Bros' wife is also a farmer with him. In his free time, Bros enjoys taking care of his children, raising chicken to earn more income, listening to the radio, and watching TV. In October, Bros experienced accidental electric shock on both of his hands. He feels pain and his wound is now infected. Due to tissue necrosis and infection, he has limited movement in each hand. When Bros learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled across the country for seven hours seeking treatment. On December 15th, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to to remove the damaged and infected tissue from the wound. Now, Bros needs help to fund this $273 procedure. Bros said, "I hope after surgery my hands get better and the infection heals soon."

Meet Privato, a hardworking 42-year-old farmer from southwest Uganda. He and his wife, Stadia, are raising twelve children. For ten years, Privato has had an inguinal hernia but has been able to live with the discomfort. For the last several months, however, it has been so painful that he has not been able to work. On June 5, surgeons will correct his condition. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, requests $229 to cover Privato's treatment. Privato and Stadia grow food for their large family on a small plot of land. They also have a few coffee trees, which provide a small cash income. When he is not working on his own land, Privato finds extra work as a farm laborer and construction worker. Earning enough to pay school fees for all the children is a big challenge, and there is not enough left over to pay for surgery. He needs help to raise $229. Privato is grateful to those helping to fund his treatment, saying, “I thank the donors for the support very much. Getting help to fix my pain and help me be functional again is not something I take for granted. I will pray that God blesses the donors abundantly."

Mirlande is a 50-year-old woman who is from a commune in Haiti and resides there with her husband. She enjoys going to church and participates in the activities put on by her church regularly. To support herself, Mirlande has always sold alimentary products as a street merchant. In April 2016, Mirlande started to feel pain in her right arm that eventually moved to the top of her chest. She immediately went to the hospital. She was referred to another facility in Port-au-Prince, the capital, to have a sonogram and mammogram. Nothing abnormal was found in her breast. For three months, Mirlande had exams and multiple follow-up visits but she never received any results about the mass. After a lot of frustration and money spent, she finally went to a private doctor, where she was officially diagnosed with breast cancer and was referred to our medical partner's care center. In January, she started her chemotherapy, a treatment that decreases the cancerous cells in the body. After four sessions of chemotherapy, Mirlande will be having a mastectomy on August 4. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is requesting $1,085 to fund her care. She says, “We are human and we do get sick but you have to take care of yourself and be strong.”

Allen is a 41-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband have five children. Allen enjoys weaving mats and socializing with other women in the village. She also likes to listen to music and news programs on the radio. One of her greatest joys is singing in the church choir. For the last year, Allen has been experiencing uterine pain. Eventually, she decided to visit a doctor. The doctors at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, believe she may have uterine cancer and have advised her to undergo a total hysterectomy. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on January 20. Allen's husband, Goti, works as a social studies teacher at the local school, and Allen helps the family by growing vegetables and grains. She also grows coffee to sell for extra income. They have contributed $7 to her care, but their income is not enough to pay her full medical bill. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting an additional $321 for this surgery. “I would like to express much appreciation to the donors for helping my wife and our family,” says Goti. "It is a great blessing.”

Tha Zin is an 18-year-old student from Mogok Township, Kachin State, Burma (near Mandalay Division). She lives with her mother, father, and her three sisters. Tha Zin's father supports the family. His job is to cut and polish gemstones and he earns approximately 300,000 kyat (approximately 300 USD) per month. This income is usually enough to support the family's daily expenses and they have even been able to save money. However, since Tha Zin became ill the family has spent all their savings on her medical care and now her older sister is unable to return to university because the funds saved for her university fees have been spent also. Tha Zin first started to experience painful headaches in February 2015. Her father took her to many hospitals with several admissions but she was not diagnosed properly. In September 2015 she was admitted to Mogok hospital because she was losing her memory and could not walk or talk. The doctor there suggested Tha Zin's father take her to medical partner Mandalay Hospital for a CT scan. Tha Zin and her father travelled to Mandalay where she was diagnosed with multiple brain abscesses. Tha Zin's family was so worried that nothing further could be done. Tha Zin felt sad, lost hope and became depressed. She stayed at home, mainly lying in bed. Her family has given up hope about finding further treatment because they have spent all their money on medical and associated costs and they were already in debt. Tha Zin's father recently accompanied his younger daughter, Tha Zin's sister, to a doctor's appointment at the Mogok clinic. At this time the monk from the Ananda Myitta Clinic (AMC) was visiting to meet with the doctor and heard the story of Tha Zin's medical condition from her father. The monk encouraged Tha Zin's father to travel with her to Mae Sot, Thailand to BCMF. Tha Zin said, "I feel hopeless and thought I will die soon. My family has spent a lot of money on hospital and medical costs. I feel like a burden and trouble for my family. My sisters are also so worried for me all the time. If I have a future I want to study and live with my family for a long time." She added, "I want to be well soon. I would like to go to university and then become a teacher and help my community." With the support from Watsi, Tha Zin underwent a CT scan on October 11. The result showed mass-like growths which needed to be removed very quickly. Tha Zin had this growth removal surgery on October 22.

Meet Simon, a husband and father of one child. He lives with his family, including his younger siblings, in a rental house in Nairobi. Simon supports his family and siblings by working as a driver. Unfortunately, a road accident on November 3, 2016, left him with a fracture on his femur. He received first aid before being transferred to our medical partner's hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Doctors performed a fracture repair surgery on November 9, 2016. This procedure will prevent any complications with the injury, including arthritis and permanent disability. After recovery, he should be able to return to work and provide for his family. Now, Simon needs our help to pay for this $1,451 procedure. “I want to be well and provide for my family, who rely on me completely," says Simon.

Maria is a 50-year-old woman from Guatemala. She has had diabetes for eight years, but she only began treatment five years ago. Her diabetes has advanced, and she has been experiencing blurry vision and dizziness, which prevent her from working. She needs insulin to manage her blood sugar and prevent serious complications, such as kidney failure, high blood pressure, and cataracts. Fortunately, she began treatment on November 28. Maria is a single mother to two sons. She lives with them in an adobe house with a tin roof, and she supports her family by selling fruits and vegetables in a large market. Maria leaves for the market at 4 am every day, and she often stays until dark. Despite her hard work, she cannot afford this $1,500 treatment. This treatment will protect Maria from the effects of uncontrolled diabetes. She will receive the insulin, blood pressure medications, and education she needs to adequately manage her diabetes for years to come. Once her glucose levels normalize, she will no longer be at risk of dangerous blood sugar highs. She will have renewed energy to return to work, and her quality of life will improve.

Chech is a 22-year-old farmer who has two sisters and three brothers. She likes to do housework and help her family on the farm. When she was a baby, Chech developed an ear infection. The infection spread to both ears and perforated the tympanic membrane in each. She experiences recurring ear discharge, pain, and hearing loss. Her condition makes her unhappy. Fortunately, Chech learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) from a relative. She traveled for six hours by taxi to reach CSC for treatment. On October 19, 2016, surgeons performed a myringoplasty in each ear to repair the perforated tympanic membrane and stop the ear discharge and pain. Over time, her hearing will improve. Now, her family needs help to fund this $831 procedure. Chech says, "I hope for the ear discharge to stop and to have good hearing."

Sethi is a 36-year-old refugee from Congo who currently lives in Kenya. He came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking answers to debilitating symptoms such as headaches, vision impairment, and difficulty walking. When Sethi left Congo, he was separated from his six children and has not been able to locate them. He left all of his possessions behind and has had to move in with a distant relative who supports his own wife and two children by selling second-hand clothes. “[Sethi’s relative] has not been able to go to work consistently, as he has to take care of Sethi and his wife, who is expecting,” says AMHF. AMHF diagnosed Sethi with a brain tumor. Fortunately, the tumor is benign. However, “Sethi has been experiencing painful migraines,” AMHF tells us. “His vision has been partially impaired, and he has to walk with the assistance of someone else.” To remove the tumor, doctors plan to perform two surgical procedures during a single operation. In one procedure—a craniotomy—doctors will remove a portion of his skull to access the tumor. In the second procedure—transsphenoidal surgery—doctors will insert surgical instruments through his nose and into the sphenoid sinus cavity at the base of his brain. “If not treated,” continues AMHF, “Sethi will continue suffering from painful migraines with a possibility of being permanently blind. The brain tumor may also ultimately result in death.” $1,205 pays for surgery for Sethi as well as six days of hospital care—two days in intensive care and four days in the general ward—after surgery. Funding also covers the costs of medicine, blood work, and pathology. Sethi is providing $306 to pay for additional costs associated with his care. “After the surgery and recovery,” says AMHF, “Sethi will no longer suffer migraines, and he may regain his vision.” “Sethi hopes to get well to trace his family and help other people who might also be in need like himself,” shares Sethi’s relative.

Over four years ago, 38-year-old Nankya started feeling pain in her navel area. One year later, she was diagnosed with a supraumbilical hernia; a condition that occurs when tissues or organs bulge through a weak portion of the abdominal wall. The swelling causes her pain which gets worse when she’s carrying heavy items, during cold weather, or when she coughs. At the time of Nankya’s diagnosis, she was pregnant and medical providers advised her to wait to have the surgery after the baby was delivered. Post-delivery, Nankya was unable to save enough money for her treatment. Nankya worked in the fields for long hours, tended her garden, and weaved baskets for an income, but the hernia has hindered her from continuing. If her hernia is not treated, Nankya is at risk of serious complications such as obstruction of the intestine, incarceration or strangulation which will cause the intestinal tissue to die and can be fatal. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), can provide Nankya with a hernia repair at a treatment cost of $220. With her hernia preventing her from working, she cannot save the money for the treatment alone. Watsi funding will provide for the cost of treatment, the medicines, and her hospital stay. Doctors expect that after the treatment she will no longer experience any pain and there will be no more risk of complications. As a married mother of six, Nankya is looking forward to having the surgery, regaining her strength and returning to work to support her family. “Thank you for your assistance. God bless you,” she says.

Judilyn is a 33-year-old woman from the Philippines. She currently experiences uncomfortable symptoms due to uterine fibroids. “She used to always participate in church activities and support her husband with the ministry,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “Judilyn also used to tend land before her condition has worsened.” ICM has diagnosed Judilyn with fibroids, or noncancerous growths, in her uterus. “Judilyn has been experiencing abnormal menstruation, accompanied by a dizziness that keeps her inactive for days,” explains ICM. With $668, Judilyn will undergo a hysterectomy, during which a surgeon will remove her uterus and ovaries. The operation will prevent Judilyn’s heavy bleeding, and as a result she will no longer feel dizzy and tired. “Judilyn looks forward to once again becoming a functional partner to her husband in the ministry,” shares ICM. Judilyn is very grateful for Watsi’s help: “Thank you for considering my needs. I believe that God will reward your love and generosity.”

A few months ago, My, a 23-year-old young man from Cambodia, was involved in a traffic accident. He sustained a fracture to his right femur. My, a garment factory worker, tells our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), "Since the accident, I haven't been able to go to work because I can't walk." Traffic accidents are frequent in Cambodia, yet effective treatment is not always easily accessible. Many self-medicate or seek traditional healers. CSC reports, "My received traditional Khmer treatment for three months, during which healers gave him rice, wine, and ancient medicines, but his condition did not improve." For $405, My’s femur will be surgically reset so that it heals in proper alignment. He will be able to walk again, and without pain. My, who loves to watch the news, football, and volleyball on television shares, "After I am healed I hope I can go back to work at the garment factory.”