Chanthou is a 60-year-old merchant from Cambodia. She is married and has three sons, two daughters, and 20 grandchildren. When not working, Chanthou likes to watch Thai and Khmer dramas on TV. About four months ago, Chanthou developed cataracts in both of her eyes, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and sensitivity to light. Chanthou's condition has made it difficult for her to work and be independent. Hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor, she decided to seek treatment. On June 22, Chanthou will undergo cataract repair surgery on both eyes. CSC is asking for $398 to cover the cost of her treatment. After surgery, Chanthou is looking forward to seeing clearly again!

Maung Chit is 43 years old and the father of a large family. He lives with his family in Burma. He works very hard as a day laborer, employed by several large farms. In April 2016, Maung Chit experienced an accident while unloading timber from a wagon. A portion of the load fell on top of him and broke his right leg above the ankle. In June 2016, he made the four-hour journey to a clinic, where an X-ray of his leg was taken. He was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), to examine the large bulge on his leg, which was preventing him from walking. In December 2016, Maung Chit underwent an internal and external fixation surgery. Maung Chit now needs another surgery to remove the rod placed during his first operation. Our medical partner, BCMF, is requesting $1,500 for this procedure.

Say hello to Mu Lar, a 20-year-old woman from Cambodia. Mu Lar has a cardiac condition which causes her fatigue and heart palpitations, making her daily activities difficult. She’s been married for a year, and hopes to start a family with her husband soon, but her condition makes getting pregnant too risky. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects, says, “She gets tired when she makes even the smallest movement. Whenever she gets sick with a cold or flu she turns blue and has difficulty breathing.” Mu Lar and her family live in rural Burma, and are able to grow most of their own food by planting seasonal crops. Because of her heart condition, Mu Lar has been unable to help her husband with farming activities and chores around the house. Mu Lar and her husband say, “Our first wish is for her to get treatment. We are still so young, so after Mu Lar has fully recovered, we will try again to have a family.” Burma Border Projects was able to raise $2,310 towards Mu Lar's treatment, but they are counting on Watsi donors for the remaining $1,500 so Mu Lar can get the cardiac treatment she needs to be strong and healthy again.

Vannak is a 21-year-old blacksmith from Cambodia. Two months ago, he fractured his leg in a boating accident, leaving him unable to walk. He has had to stop working, and now relies on his family to take care of him. “Vannak is in constant pain and even struggles to sit down,” our medical partner tells us. He went to a traditional healer who was unable to help him, so Vannak is counting on Watsi donors to help pay for his leg to heal properly. For $405, Vannak will be able to pay for treatment to reduce his fracture and fix the bone. “I am very sad and stressed about my leg and am looking forward to returning to work and being able to support my family again,” he says.

Mary is a 12-year-old girl from Tanzania who is the second born out of seven children. She dreams of working as a nurse in her district’s hospital. Mary used to attend primary school, but had to stop in her fourth year. The long walk to school is too difficult for Mary to manage because she has knocked knees, which causes her a lot of pain when she walks and puts her at risk for developing early arthritis. Even though she can’t go to school, Mary works hard and helps her widowed mother with chores around the house. Her mother grows vegetables, beans and maize to sell, but barely earns enough to cover the family’s expenses. Mary’s uncle has been working to find a way for Mary to get surgery so she can go back to school. “I miss going to school and playing with other students. I hope I can be treated so that I can go back to school and also be able to help my mother fetch some water, firewood and do other things,” says Mary. For $940, we can fund Mary's corrective surgery to fix her knocked knees. This will allow her to walk without pain and get back to school, so she can achieve her dream of becoming a nurse!