Mai is a 46-year-old mother from Thailand. She resides with her husband, and son in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. She works as a seamstress, her husband sells snacks and her son is a tutor. Mai has been unwell since 2015 and doctors advise her to undergo a hysterectomy. If left untreated, Mai's pain and symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Mai said, "I felt very happy when I found out that Watsi would support my treatment. Thank you so much for your assistance. It means a lot to me and my family.”

Giovani is a one-year-old boy who lives with his parents and one older sibling. His mother works as a local roadside vendor, selling fruits, and his father, who is unemployed, is making dedicated efforts to secure a job to support his family. In addition to his job search, he has taken up poultry farming, involving the production and sale of chickens and eggs, so that he can contribute to the family's income. In April 2023, Giovani, while exploring alone in the kitchen, came upon a pot of hot soup. He immersed both of his arms in the pot, and sustained severe burns on his hands. His parents rushed him to the local hospital, where Giovani stayed for the next two months, while he received treatment for his wounds. Although he was eventually discharged after his wounds had healed, Giovani's hands had sustained significant skin damage. Despite facing financial constraints, Giovani’s father remained determined to find a solution for his child’s condition. While inquiring about a suitable location to receive treatment for his son, he encountered the parents of one of our former patients, who directed him to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare and the Plaster House. Following a thorough evaluation, the medical team diagnosed Giovani with burn scar contractures, affecting both of his hands. Four months later, Giovani was evaluated by a plastic surgeon, who devised a surgical treatment plan to address Giovani's inability to use his fingers to grasp objects - a result of the burn contractures. Giovani's parents are reaching out to you for assistance, to ensure that their son receives the appropriate medical care he requires. Fortunately, African Mission Healthcare is helping Giovani receive the care that he needs. On August 16th, surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery, to improve his hands’ functionality and appearance. Now, their family needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Giovani’s father says: “I wish to see my son enjoying playing with his toys. We hope this treatment will be a big change from his current situation.”

Meet Honest, a 24 year old, small scale farmer, living with his wife and two year old child. His wife works with Honest as a farmer, and together, they own a two room mud house. Honest developed an itchy spot on his back in February 2020. As time went on, the spot developed a small swelling that was painless. Honest resorted to using herbs, hoping that the swelling would disappear. However, in 2021, the swelling became painful, and progressively increased in size. Honest visited several medical facilities, and was advised to have the mass tested. When Honest finally visited our medical partner's care center Rushoroza Hospital, physicians there found that the mass wasn't cancerous, but it does need to be removed, as it is painful and growing. Honest has even stopped farming, as a result of his condition and pain. On September 10th, surgeons at Rushoroza Hospital will excise the mass. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $145 to fund this procedure. Honest says: “At some point, I thought I was bewitched, but I finally hope and believe that I will get well through surgery. I hope to resume farming and continue taking good care of my family.”

Kosal is a 21-year-old driver with three sisters. His father also works as a driver, while his mother works as a farmer. In his free time, Kosal enjoys playing football, fishing, and drinking coffee with friends. In December, Kosal was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture of his left elbow, ankle, and femur. He went to a local hospital, where doctors fixed hardware to heal his fracture. Now, the bones are healed, and the hardware needs to be removed. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help Kosal receive treatment. On April 22nd, Kosal will undergo a hardware removal procedure to remove the hardware and prevent any future complications. CSC is requesting $304 to help fund this procedure. Kosal's family has also contributed $100 toward his treatment costs. Kosal was hopeful to feel better soon and shared, "I hope I heal quickly and can return to work soon."

Channy is a 63-year-old rice farmer who is married and has four daughters and seven grandchildren. She lives with her husband and her youngest daughter who also works as a farmer. Five years ago, Channy developed a pterygium in her right eye causing her itchiness, tearing, and irritation. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has not worked in the rice field for the past few years because of her condition. When Channy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 8th, Channy will undergo a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Channy shared, "I hope after surgery my eye will be better. I can help my husband at the rice field and also help my daughter to take care of my grandchildren."

Rachhou is a 23-year-old food seller. He has three siblings who are all married. Rachhou lives at home with his mother, who is also a food seller, and his father, who is a scrap buyer. Four years ago, Rachhou developed nasal polyps, or noncancerous growths in the lining of the nasal passage. As a result, he experiences nasal obstruction, itchiness, headaches, and pain. His mother took him to a government hospital four or five times, but unfortunately his condition has never improved. It is difficult for him to breathe and to sleep. When Rachhou learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On October 19th, doctors will perform a nasal polypectomy to finally remove the polyps. After recovery, he will be able to breathe more easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $291 procedure. Rachhou shared, "I hope I can breathe easily again and that my hearing improves."

Dorn is a 41-year-old farmer who lives in the Kampong Cham province of Cambodia with her family. Her husband is a construction worker. They have one daughter and one son together, both of whom are in public high school. When she is not working, she spends her time cooking, watching TV, and visiting her neighbors. Three months ago, Dorn had a severe ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Dorn experiences pain, feelings of pressure, discharge and hearing loss. She cannot communicate clearly with others. Dorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 17th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation and relieve Dorn's pain. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and in-patient care. Dorn said, "I am happy that I will soon feel no more pain in my ear and I will be able to hear my family clearly."

Daniel is a 1-year-old boy and the last born in a family of three. His siblings are in school. Daniel's parents are farmers with limited income to provide for the basic needs for him and his family. Since birth, Daniel has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. The swelling has been progressive since birth and is painful to touch. Daniel was taken to different hospitals but they were asked for an amount that his parents could not afford. They were referred to Nyakibale and on review, surgery was recommended. Daniel's parents appeal for help to see their son treated. Fortunately, on October 12th, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $146 to fund Daniel's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Daniel's mother says “I pray that my son gets treated and lives a better life like any other child. This will help me finally have good peace of mind.”

Sok Heng is a 60-year-old fish seller. She has one son and one daughter. Sok Heng's husband is a fisherman. Recently it has been difficult for Sok Heng to sell fish at the market because her vision has been worsening. One year ago, Sok Heng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sok Heng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On October 13th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and will place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Sok Heng said, "I hope my eye can see well again after surgery so I can return to selling fish and doing more housework as well."

Collins is a young boy from the northeastern slopes of Mt Kenya in Meru County, Kenya. He is 5 years old and is the firstborn in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife, while his father is a mason. Collins was born with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. Since birth, he has had serial casting treatment, but his condition has yet to improve. Both his mother and his sibling also have neglected clubfoot conditions. Collins has difficulty with walking and wearing shoes, and is unable to play with other kids. In January 2020, he was able to undergo a left posterior medial release (PMR) with Watsi support, and his foot has corrected well. As a result of the surgery, he is able to wear his left shoe and his walking has improved. However, his right foot is still deformed and requires surgery for him to be able to walk comfortably and confidently on both feet. Fortunately, Collins' family traveled back to our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on his right foot on January 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Collins's clubfoot repair. This surgery will be very impactful for Collins because he will be able to walk, play, and enjoy life like other children. His mother is grateful for the support for his first surgery, and again appeals for support for this procedure as their income level is not high enough to afford his needed care. Collins' mother shared, “I would like to thank CURE Hospital and AMH-Watsi who made possible my son’s first surgery. May the almighty God bless you. I continue to plead for support for the planned surgery on his right foot so that he can fully walk without any difficulty.”

Vannak is a rice farmer with four daughters. She lives with her eldest daughter, who is a grocery seller. Three years ago, Vannak developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Vannak learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours with her daughter seeking treatment. On January 6th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see more clearly and walk around outside confidently. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Vannak shared, "I want to see well again so I can help my daughter take care of her children and be able to visit the pagoda."