Kyin is a 48-year-old woman who lives with her daughter, her friend, and her friend's family in a village in northern Thailand. Kyin’s daughter and her friend’s two children study at a migrant school. Kyin used to work as an agricultural day laborer, but stopped two months ago when her vision deteriorated. In her free time, Kyin likes to garden and clean her house. Kyin has lost most of the vision in both of her eyes. Sometimes her eyes are watery and itchy, and if she tries to focus on identifying someone’s face, her eyes will hurt and she will develop a headache. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Kyin. On June 7th, doctors will perform a lens replacement in both eyes, during which they will remove Kyin's natural lenses and replace them with intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. Kyin shared, “I hope that I will get better soon so that I can go back to work. I want to support my daughter so that she becomes an educated person. I also want to build a new house and live with my daughter happily for the rest of my life.”

Mengleang is a 22-year-old farmer who lives at home with his parents and his younger brother, who is 17 years old. His father is the village chief in their community and Mengleang often helps him with his duties. In addition to working in rice fields, Mengleang also takes care of many cows. When he is not working, he loves to play volleyball and listen to music. In April 2021, Mengleang was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a fracture in his left tibia. After the accident, his family took him to a traditional healer, who affixed a splint. He was able to walk with crutches, but now the area around the fracture has become swollen and painful. It is difficult for him to walk and he is in pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On May 17th, Mengleang will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. This procedure will heal the fracture and help him walk easily. Mengleang shared, "I want to be able to work again with my full strength and even get back to playing sports with my friends."

Shazma is a 2-year-old and the last born in a family of three children. She is a friendly and cheerful girl who already loves playing! Shazma's mother was laid off from her work at a horticulture farm due to the pandemic, and her father works as a cook at a local guest house. The parents used to support each other on payment of bills but now Shazma's father is the only earner while her mother takes care of the children at home. Shazma was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus which causes her legs to bend outward and results in difficulty walking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shazma on April 16th. Treatment will ensure Shazma's mobility as she grows, allow her to participate in all she wants to do, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Shazma’s mother shared, "My daughter is in need of treatment to repair her legs. She currently struggles a lot to walk but the cost of treatment is not something we cannot afford. Kindly help our daughter if it’s possible."

Peter is a third grade student from Kenya. Peter is very active and playful like many kids his age. He is the seventh son in a family of eight children. Peter's father repairs household items including basins and jerricans, and his mother is a casual laborer who washes clothes for a living. Their family currently lives together in a two-room mud house. About 10 weeks ago, Peter fell from a tall tree and he sustained a femur shaft fracture and hip dislocation. He currently walks and gets around using crutches, and there is the risk that he may not able to walk on his own again unless he receives surgical intervention. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 17th, Peter will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help him walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to fund his surgery. Peter's father shared, “[Peter] has been unable to go to school since the accident. He can’t walk without the help of crutches and if he doesn’t go for surgery he might be unable to walk normally.”

Esther is a 13-year-old girl from Kenya. She is the first born in a family of two children. Currently, Esther is a sixth grade student. She likes reading and is very active at home, especially with helping her mother with household chores. Esther's father is a farmer, while her mother is a homemaker and takes care of their family. Esther was born a healthy child. However, when she turned one year of age, her family noticed un unusual bowing in her legs. Since then, her condition has worsened. She often feels pain while walking, and cannot walk well or carry heavy loads. This affects her self-esteem, and in turn her studies as well. Esther has a condition called genu valgus, or knock knees. Last year with the help of Watsi supporters, she underwent corrective surgery on her left side, which has healed and she is walking well. Now, she is scheduled to undergo the same surgery on her right side to completely correct her legs from the bowing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Esther receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a corrective foot surgery on February 15th at our medical partner's care center. This procedure will cost $1,224, and she and her family need help raising money. Once Esther is fully recovered, she will be able to walk, continue with her education, and help her mother again. Esther will also be able to socialize and play with other girls more comfortably. Esther's Aunt Fridah shared, "On behalf of the family, we are extremely grateful for the support you rendered to our daughter. May the almighty God bless you. We continue to plead for more support to ensure that she is completely healed and continue with her life like other girls."

Pendo is a twenty-one-year-old mother from Tanzania. She has two children aged two and a half years and one and a half years. In 2018, Pendo was involved in a fire accident. She had boiled water to give her two children warm baths. As she was bathing the youngest child close to the fire, she had an epileptic attack and fell down on the fire, leaving her unconscious and her right hand burned badly. Her firstborn child ran for help, and the neighbors rushed her to the hospital. There, Pendo had her burns cleaned and was advised to have them regularly dressed to help the wounds heal. However, after returning home, she never came back for more dressings due to financial challenges. Pendo sought treatment via herbal medicines instead, and her healing process was very slow. Eventually, Pendo's parents came to help take care of her and her children. She heard about our medical partner's care center from them, and sought treatment to correct her hand. Through Watsi donor support, Pendo was able to successfully undergo treatment to have her wrist contractures released and pins inserted in her hand. Because of how her wounds are healing, doctors recommend she have another surgery to help cover up her post-surgical wound with a skin graft. Pendo appeals for financial help for the care she needs. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Pendo receive treatment. On January 15th, surgeons at their care center will perform a split-thickness skin graft burn surgery. Once recovered, she will be able to use her hand much more easily and return to taking care of her children. Now, she needs help to fund this $874 procedure. Pendo shared, “My hand is now much better than before, though this wound is not healing well. This surgery will help in my healing, but I cannot afford it so I appreciate any help you can provide."

Philomena is a baby girl from Kenya. Philomena’s father is a carpenter and her mother, who used to operate a grocery store, is now a homemaker. Together they have five children, three of which are in school. The family has a small income and they have exhausted their savings helping pay for Philomena’s twin sister's heart problems. Philomena underwent a colostomy, in which the end of the colon is brought through an opening in the abdominal wall. This surgery is often performed to bypass bowel malformations, but colostomies are usually temporary and may call for closure. In Philomena's case, her colostomy requires closure in order to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $681 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for Philomena. The surgery is scheduled to take place on July 3rd and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Philomena’s mother shared, “I will be very grateful for any financial help offered.”

Sun is a 58-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He has been married for 37 years. Sun has three daughters, two sons, and 13 grandchildren. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, taking care of his grandchildren, doing house work, and listening to the news on the radio. One year ago, Sun was in an accident and fell to the ground. As a result, he developed pain in his right hip. Sun is constantly in a lot of pain and takes pain medication to get through the day and be able to walk. He has been diagnosed with avascular necrosis of the right hip, which mean the bone tissue in the area is dead due to lack of blood supply. Fortunately, Sun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Sun of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for December 17th, and Sun needs help raising $1,087 to pay for this procedure. Sun shared, "I hope I am able to walk again without pain after getting this treatment."