Kaw Naung is a 32-year-old man from Burma. He lives with his wife, parents, and a nine-month-old son in a village in Karen State, Burma. Everyone in his family are farmers except for his wife, a homemaker. They also raise cows, chickens, and pigs for their consumption. They also forage for vegetables and have a vegetable garden. In his free time, Kaw Naung enjoys playing with his son. In January 2024, Kaw Naung and a relative were hunting in the forest. That evening, Kaw Naung was walking when he was shot in the leg. As it was dark, Kaw Naung was mistaken for a boar. He was immediately taken to a local hospital where he was treated for a fractured left femur. Despite receiving treatment, the fracture did not heal properly. This impacted Kaw Naung's ability to work and walk and has to use a walker to get around. He also experiences some pain when standing up or sitting down. He cannot bend his left knee. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Kaw Naung will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for December 6th and will cost $1,500. This surgery will help him walk and work again. Kaw Naung said, "Since my left leg was injured in the accident, I cannot walk properly and I cannot farm. My wife and my parents have to look after me and do everything for me. I hope that I can go back to work soon so that I can help my parents as they are also getting old and cannot work much on the farm."

Dirya is a five-year-old girl from Cambodia, and the middle child in her family. Her father works as a construction worker and her mother is a homemaker. She has an older brother, who is 12, and a younger brother, who is two. Dirya's mother shared that she dreams of becoming a doctor when she grows up. In her free time, Dirya enjoys drinking milk and eating rice with soup. She also loves playing with toys and riding her bicycle around the house. Dirya was born with scoliosis, an abnormal lateral curvature of her spine, along with left radial dysplasia, where the radius bone in her left forearm is underdeveloped. Over the past four years, Dirya's scoliosis has progressed, leading to abnormal posture. Her parents are concerned that she may face difficulties at school including back pain or difficulty breathing caused by the curvature. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Dirya receive treatment. On September 3rd, specialty surgeons at CSC will perform a spinal procedure during which growing rods will be implanted vertically along her spine to correct Dirya’s severe scoliosis. The procedure will help straighten her spine and improve her posture, and she will be able to stand and improve her health as she continues to grow. Dirya's parents can afford to contribute $25 of the cost of the procedure. Now, her family needs help raising the additional $1,475 for the surgery, hospitalization, implants, medications and physiotherapy. Dirya's parents shared, "we want Dirya to live a healthy life as she grows up and we are hopeful that this operation will straighten her back."

Saw Blae is an infant who currently lives in Thailand. He lives with his parents, three siblings, and five cousins in a refugee camp. His parents are not able to work in the camp, and his siblings and cousins all attend refugee camp school. Basic healthcare is provided and their family relies on small cash cards given by non-government organizations working in the camp. Blae's uncle in the United States also sends them some money to support them with food when he can. They work hard to make ends meet with their total monthly income. When Saw Blae was 11 months old, there was swelling and discomfort in a sensitive region in his body. He was diagnosed with a hernia and requires surgery. Fortunately, Saw Blae is scheduled for surgery on October 1st and our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,468 to fund this procedure. The treatment will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and be active as he grows. Saw Blae's mother said, "I was sad when I learned that my son would need an operation. I understand that his problem can only be corrected through an operation, and I hope his operation will go well."

Nay is a 13-year-old student from Burma. Nay lives with his grandmother, aunt, and brother, while his parents work in Thailand. In his free time, Nay enjoys playing football with his friends. On August 31st, 2024, Nay accidentally fell while playing with his friends. He fractured his right forearm and now experiences pain and swelling. Due to the bandage applied for stabilization and the pain, Nay has limited mobility on his forearm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Nay will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 5th and will cost $1,500. The surgery will help restore the full use of his forearm. Nay expressed his gratitude saying, “Thank you, Watsi, for your help. May God bless you. I want to become a professional footballer when I grow older.”

Thu Ta is a 23-year-old worker at a non-governmental organization. He lives with his aunts and cousins. During his free time, he enjoys cooking and visiting his relatives. In May 2019, Thu Ta began to experience occasional tiredness and difficulty breathing. In the summer of 2023, his symptoms worsened, and he felt severe exhaustion and his hands started to shake. After undergoing an echocardiogram, he was diagnosed with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) or a hole in the heart. Currently, Thu Ta is constantly tired and experiences chest pain and body aches. He also cannot lift heavy objects due to easily getting fatigued. Doctors suggested that he undergo VSD closure surgery to treat his condition and scheduled the procedure for August 6th, 2024. The surgery is expected to relieve his tiredness and enable him to engage in physical activity more comfortably. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund is requesting $1,500 to fund the procedure. Thu Ta said, "I feel sad when people mention that I have a heart disease and being sick. I cannot engage in physical activity due to my tiredness, and it makes me depressed. With the help of Watsi and BCMF, my surgery becomes possible. I cannot wait to be a healthy person again. Once I recover, I will continue my work with more passion."

Lyhor is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives in Kampot province with her mother, younger brother, and grandmother. Her mother is employed at a nearby casino, while her father works in a different province and sends money home to ensure his family has food. Lyhor is currently in 5th grade and enjoys studying Khmer language. When she grows up, she wants to become a nurse, fulfilling her mother's wish. At home, she likes to eat porridge with eggs, and in her free time, she enjoys teaching her younger brother. In September 2023, Lyhor was riding on the back of a motorbike and was involved in a traffic collision. Her right leg was fractured. She underwent a fracture repair at a clinic in Kampot province, where doctors fixed hardware in her leg to heal her fracture. Her fracture is now healed, but she still feels an ache in her leg and has trouble keeping up with friends at school. Her family brought her back to the same clinic to have the hardware removed but they could not afford the procedure there. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 2nd, Lyhor will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will help her walk more comfortably again. Lyhor's family has contributed $100 towards her medical costs but need help raising the remaining $204 to fund the procedure. Lyhor's mother said: "After the surgery, Lyhor hopes to walk normally so that she can return to school with her friends."

Chorng is a 60-year-old soup cart owner from Cambodia. He lives with his wife, two sons, and eight other family members on the outskirts of the capital city of Phnom Penh. His younger son is at University and the older son helps run their soup cart. When not working, Chorng helps around the house and listens to traditional Cambodian music playlists from YouTube. Just over one year ago, Chorng had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Chorng experiences hearing loss, pain, and ear discharge. He is unable to hear his customers and relies on others to help him. He also has trouble communicating with his family and neighbors. Chorng traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 28th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Chorng says, "I hope my hearing will improve. I want to be able to work more and talk with my customers."

Daw Hla is a 75-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter, son-in-law, four granddaughters, and her nephew. Her son-in-law is the sole earner in the family and his income is just enough to cover their daily expenses. Daw Hla's vision is blurry in both eyes. She cannot see people's faces and needs someone to assist her to do her daily activities or to go outside of the house. Daw Hla has been diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and glaucoma in her right eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Daw Hla. On June 6th, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Daw Hla's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Daw Hla's daughter said, "My mother always needs someone to be with her to assist her as she cannot see. If she receives surgery, she will be able to look after herself better. We are very thankful to the donors for helping my mother with treatment cost." Daw Hla added, "I feel sad that I cannot see. It is hard to walk or help out at home. If I can see again, I will be able to look after myself and will be less work for my daughter."

Khin is a 48-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her husband and their four daughters in a village in Tak Province, Thailand. Khin is a homemaker and her husband works as an agricultural day labourer. Since 2018, Khin has been experiencing troubling symptoms including difficulty breathing and swallowing, stiffness in her neck, and fatigue. In addition, her voice turns hoarse when she speaks for extended periods. Khin was diagnosed with goiter or the irregular growth of the thyroid. The thyroid is the gland located in front of your neck and produces thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for functions such as metabolism, growth, and other bodily functions. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is helping Khin receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on May 7th at Mae Sot General Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $1,500, and she and her family need help raising money. Khin said “I have had stress and depression since I learned I needed surgery because I cannot afford to pay for my treatment. I worried I would not be able to support my daughters. Currently, we only have my husband's income to support the family and that is not enough to cover the costs of the surgery."

Erwin is a father of five. Five years ago, Erwin had a stroke that paralyzed a part of his body, causing him to be physically disabled. Because of his condition, he is not able to work. Moreover, Erwin began to feel a lump in his throat three years ago. He also had difficulty when breathing and swallowing. When the doctors examined Erwin, they diagnosed him with Follicular Nodular Disease found in his thyroid. Erwin needs to get surgery immediately to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Erwin to receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 9th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. The Surgeons will remove all or part of his thyroid gland. The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation is supporting a portion of the cost of his treatment, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Erwin's procedure and care. Erwin's family said, "We are grateful to have come across people and organizations who are willing to help us without asking for anything in return. Thank you very much for giving us hope."

The birth of twins Jane and her sister brought joy to their parents. She is the 4th born in a family of five. She is a bright grade 1 student who likes reading, drawing and colouring. Her family hails from a small village, and both her parents are farmers. Soon after birth, her parents discovered the challenge of Jane being born with multiple birth conditions: Bilateral clubfeet, hydrocephalus, and spina bifida. They shared that they were quite shocked as they had not heard or experienced any of them before. Treatment for hydrocephalus and spina bifida required a collaborative effort between orthopaedic specialists and neurosurgeons. At ten days, she underwent a spina bifida surgery at a local hospital to address the neural tube defect affecting her spine and then hydrocephalus. Jane is a resilient girl and has overcome so much, carrying a big smile on her face. She now needs treatment for her clubfoot condition as her feet are bent inward, hindering her mobility. She is scheduled to undergo surgery, which will be impactful to her because she will be able to walk confidently like other children and continue with her education. “My desire is to see my daughter walking well and any kind of help is greatly appreciated,” Jane’s mother told us.

Ruhama is a beautiful two month old baby girl, who lives with her parents in Ethiopia. Both of her parents are quite young, and due to their having left school early, both work as day laborers, earning limited wages. Ruhama was born with an anorectal malformation, which is a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. She needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate her bowel dysfunction and help her grow up healthy. Ruhama is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on February 1st, at BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Ruhama's procedure and care. After her recovery, Ruhama will no longer experience bowel dysfunction, or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Ruhama's mother said: “I will leave her at the hands of God. I can’t say she will heal or not, but it’s all God’s will."