Emelita is a loving grandmother from the Philippines. Emelita has five children and is currently living with one of them. When she was younger, she worked hard as a laundrywoman to make ends meet for her family. Now that she is physically weaker due to her age, she takes care of her grandchildren and helps her daughter with the household chores. Three years ago, Emelita began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe stomach pain, upper back pain, fatigue, and rapid exhaustion. Whenever she feels her symptoms, she cannot perform her day-to-day tasks. She also knows that her daughter and grandchildren worry about her condition and are affected whenever she is in pain. After seeking treatment, Emelita has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Emelita is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on October 14th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Emelita's surgery and care. Emelita says, "I am very grateful for this surgery opportunity because it will help me and my family. I feel like I have been a burden to them, especially when my symptoms act up. This surgery will enable me to regain my ability to do my day-to-day tasks and household activities to help my family."

Francis is a 20-year-old student - a freshman at university and the second born in a family of 3 children. His mother earns money to support the family by cleaning clothes for neighbors. Francis' dad left the family in 2007, leaving his mother to raise the children and make ends meet on her own. Francis loves athletics and serving in the local church. Francis commutes to university daily and often ends up seeking rides from other vehicles, especially lorries carrying sand and stones. On one of these occasions, he ran to board a lorry, and unfortunately, missed the steps and fell on the tarmac where he hit his left elbow. It is difficult for him to use his left arm, and he is in pain. Francis was diagnosed with a fracture to his left elbow. Surgeons at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) can help. On August 17th, he will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will relieve him from pain and allow him to regain the use of his left arm. Francis will be able to go back to school and continue with his studies. AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. “I will be very grateful if assisted to have this surgery. I have to be strong, for I would love to complete my education and hopefully change the situation of my family,” said Francis.

Yi is a 52-year-old mother who lives with her husband, two sons and a daughter in a conflict area called Rakhine State. Her husband, daughter and younger son are unemployed while she is a homemaker. Her older son works as a taxi driver but does not always have work. They are financially supported by Yi's third son, who is also a taxi driver and lives separately. In her free time, she like to meditate and read Facebook posts relating to health. Yi first felt unwell in 2010 when she experienced severe joint pain. Later on, she also developed difficulty breathing and heart palpitations. She was diagnosed with a heart condition requiring surgery, but she could not afford to pay for it. Over the years, she tried to manage her symptoms through medication, but they would only help her feel better temporarily. Currently, Yi tires easily and does not have energy to do anything. She cannot walk long distances, and she cannot walk downstairs. If she does, she experiences chest pain and difficulty breathing. When she talks a lot, she feels tired. She has no appetite and cannot breathe well. She also has chest pain and cannot sleep at night. In May, she went to Pun Hlaing Hospital in Yangon, where the doctor diagnosed her with mitral valve stenosis and tricuspid valve regurgitation. She now needs to undergo surgery to have two valves in her heart replaced. Yi is scheduled to have this surgery on July 20th with our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). They are requesting $1,500 to fund her procedure. Her son said, “Thank you so much to the donors and the organization [BCMF] for helping with the cost of my mom’s surgery. I worry about my mom and want her to get surgery as soon as possible.”

Tha Zin is a 43-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives in a refugee camp in Tak Province with her husband and two sons. Tha Zin and her husband run a shop in the refugee camp. Their total monthly income is not enough to cover their basic expenses, and sometimes Tha Zin needs to borrow money with interest from her neighbor for her children’s school expenses. Tha Zin shared that in her free time she loves reading the Bible, praying, and knitting hats for her family. In 2022, Tha Zin started to experience pain when sitting. She also experienced bleeding in a sensitive area. In the refugee camp, they receive free basic health care from the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Tha Zin went to the hospital in the refugee camp, where they completed a physical examination, diagnosed her with severe hemorrhoids, and provided her with basic medication. While Tha Zin took the medication, she felt relieved, but after she finished her medication, the pain worsened, and she experienced increased swelling and inflammation. As time went on, the pain worsened. She felt it was harder to stand up, walk or sit. Currently, Tha Zin feels like she has less energy and has difficulty completing her everyday tasks. She also experiences difficulty sleeping due to her worries about her condition. Tha Zin sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo surgery on June 2nd at our partner's care center. Tha Zin needs your help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Tha Zin said, “Because of my illness, I had to close my shop and leave my two children with my relatives. So, I worry about them. But I am thankful to those who will support my surgery because I cannot afford to pay for it by myself. When I recover, I will reopen my shop and pay back my debt that I borrowed for my children’s school expenses. If my family has the opportunity to do so, I want us to be resettled in a new country one day.”

Teodoro is a hardworking man from the Philippines. He has nine children, six of which have their own families, and the youngest three currently live with him and his wife. He works as a part-time construction worker to make ends meet. Over the years, he experienced pain but never sought a medical checkup due to financial constraints. Unfortunately, his condition seems to have worsened in January, as he could feel a lump in his right groin. Despite his worries about their finances, he went to the hospital. Teodoro was diagnosed with an indirect inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort, limiting his physical movements. Fortunately, on April 28th, Teodoro will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Teodoro's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Our medical partner needs help raising the remaining $1,103 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Teodoro is very grateful for the medical support that he'll receive. He shared, "Thank you, Watsi and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines! This free surgery is a big help for me and my family. Through you, I'll get the treatment that I needed. Thank you for giving me a second chance to live."

39-year-old Sopheap lives with his wife and two young children in rural Pailin province in Cambodia. Both Sopheap and his wife farm potatoes, and sometimes rice, for extra income. In his free time, Sopheap likes to play volleyball in the village. In early March, Sopheap was in a motorbike accident and suffered an injury to his back. X-rays showed a C6-7 dislocation of the spine. Since the accident, Sopheap has not been able to work, experiences numbness in his arm, and is unable to sleep comfortably through the night due to his pain. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Sopheap to receive treatment. On April 6th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform spinal surgery with implants to stabilize the spinal column. Now, Sopheap and his family need your help to raise $1,500 to fund the procedure and care. The money will cover the cost of hospitalization, surgery, implants, physical therapy, and medication. After recovery, Sopheap's condition should improve significantly, and he should have full mobility after four to eight weeks. Sopheap shared: "I want to be able to go back to work and support my family."

Mabasa is a four-year-old child from Tanzania. Like any other child, he is filled with dreams, curiosity, and a boundless spirit. He comes from a mid-sized family with five siblings. However, his journey has taken an unexpected turn that threatens to overshadow his bright future. Born to hardworking farming parents, Mabasa was a healthy and joyful baby. Yet, at age two, he began to experience a troubling transformation that has left his family deeply concerned. Mabasa’s parents, dedicated farmers who work relentlessly to provide for their family, noticed something amiss when their son’s legs started to bend as he took his first steps. This struck them with concern and fear. The condition worsened as months passed, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their child’s future. Mabasa was diagnosed with left genu valgus. Colloquially known as "knock-knee," genu valgum is a condition in which the knees bend inward, and can cause pain, difficulty walking, and arthritis. Mabasa's left leg has curved inward, affecting his mobility. To their dismay, the doctors could find no apparent cause for Mabasa’s condition and suggested a healthy nutrition regimen and medications to improve his overall health. Mabasa’s parents followed these recommendations, but despite their unwavering efforts, there was no sign of improvement. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Mabasa. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th. Treatment will hopefully restore Mabasa's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Mabasa’s father says, “I wish for my son to have a bright future and that this condition won’t be a problem in the future.”

Samson is a widower and father of a 9-year-old child. He works as a laborer at a garage washing cars to support himself and his child. A few years ago, Samson started experiencing epigastric pain and discomfort, and could not keep down his food. He has sought treatment at other hospitals before, but to no avail. A few weeks ago, Samson's condition worsened and his brother helped him seek care with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Doctors there conducted an endoscopy and found that the cause of Samson's symptoms was gastric obstruction due to pyloric stenosis, a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. If left untreated, Samson will continue to experience pain. His symptoms may also worsen, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and an overall decreased quality of life. Surgeons have recommended a laparotomy to treat Samson's condition. Fortunately, Samson is scheduled for surgery on March 13th with the help of African Mission Healthcare. Samson needs help raising $788 to fund the cost of his procedure. After surgery, not only will Samson's quality of life improve, but he will also be able to care for himself and his child. “I have been unable to care for myself and my child, becoming a burden to my family. The pain is also too much and I am afraid my wife went through the same and died. I plead for support so that I may be treated and get back to my normal life. I am also the only hope of my child,” said Samson.

Mongkol is a 3-year-old boy - the youngest child in his family with two older siblings - one sister and one brother. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his parents who are both rice farmers. At home, he likes to play with toy cars, keep up with his older siblings, and eat bananas. Mongkol has strabismus in both eyes, a condition he was born with, although older children can develop it too. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. It is difficult for him to see well. This is because his eyes don't focus together on the same object and each eye sends a different picture to the brain. Mongkol traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 3rd, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to align his eyes. Now, Mongkol needs help to raise $331 to fund this procedure. His parents shared: "We hope after surgery Mongol's eyes look like other children's eyes and he can see better when he goes to school. We do not want children to make fun of him."

Festus is a lively 6-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the third born in a family of five children. His parents own a small corn farm, which they use to earn a living by selling produce. Festus was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience discomfort and will be at risk for infertility. Fortunately, Festus’ father was introduced to a social worker who brought the family to the care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). BKKH is run by our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). As a result, on February 16th, surgeons at AMH will perform the corrective surgery. AMH is requesting $847 to fund the total cost of his procedure and care. Festus’ father says, “I want Festus to be treated and grow up like other children.”

Humphrey is a 3-month-old baby from Kenya and the youngest in his family of three children. His grandparents provide financial support for Humphrey's family, as his mother had to leave her job to stay home and care for him. As his family does not have insurance coverage, they are requesting assistance to help with Humphrey's medical bills. During a hospital visit, a doctor noticed Humphrey might have hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. He received a CT scan that confirmed the diagnosis. Currently, Humphrey has been experiencing an increasing head circumference, and without treatment, he will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Humphrey was also born with spina bifida, which the doctors will address later in his treatment journey. On January 25th, Humphrey will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from his brain and reduce intracranial pressure. With this treatment, Humphrey can grow up strong and healthy. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $720 to cover the cost of this surgery. Humphrey's mother says: "I'm very shocked and stressed as it is not what I was expecting when I came. I just hope that all goes well in the treatment process."