Sidaneth is a 25-year-old receptionist from Cambodia. She has two sisters and brothers, and enjoys listening to music and hanging out with her friends. When she was young, Sidaneth had a serious ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her ear to perforate. For this reason, Sidaneth experiences hearing loss, discharge, tinnitus, and vertigo. She often feels dizzy and cannot hear others clearly. Sidaneth traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. She previously received treatment for her other ear, but now needs follow up to complete the procedure on the other side. On January 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that surgery will clear up my ear infection and my hearing will improve," she shared.

Katurebe is a farmer from Uganda. He is a married father to two children--two girls who are married and are now small-scale farmers. He practices farming together with his elderly wife and they stay together in their small semi-permanent house. Sometimes when they can’t meet their basic needs like salt and soap, he works on other people’s farms to earn a living. Since three years ago, Katurebe has had a hydrocele, which is a swelling in a sensitive area. This hydrocele causes him pain and prevents him from working. Fortunately, on March 17th, he will undergo hydrocele repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $139 to fund Katurebe's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Katurebe says, “I hope I will get better after my surgery is done.”

Ayebazibwe is a farmer from Uganda. She is a married mother to one young child. Her husband is an accountant and his salary is the major source of income for their family. She earns a living through practicing small-scale farming and mostly grows beans and maize. She has a lot of family members dependent on her as many of her sisters are still in school. Six years ago, Ayebazibwe began to experience troubling symptoms, including difficulty swallowing. She was diagnosed with a goiter, an abnormal enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Ayebazibwe receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 7th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $240, and she and her family need help raising money. Ayebazibwe says, “I hope to feel much better after my surgery.”

Pulong is a 75-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two sons, one daughter, and six grandchildren. Now, she stays with her daughter at her home where her favorite pastime is listening to the news on the radio. Two years ago, Pulong developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Pulong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On February 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that my grandmother will be able to see more clearly so she can recognize things again and be able to go outside on her own." -Pulong's Granddaughter

Seyha is a sixth-grader from Cambodia. He is thirteen years old and his favorite subject to study is Khmer literature. One of his favorite foods to eat is fried meat. Seyha has one older brother and one older sister and he enjoys reading books, watching television, and sleeping. Seyha has clubfoot on his left side. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Seyha traveled four and a half hours to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons will perform a circular frame external fixation on March 5th to help Seyha. CSC is requesting $385 to fund Seyha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with ease and will be able to wear shoes easily again. "My family is very worried about my clubfoot and that I have grown up abnormally and cannot walk well. I hope that the operation goes well so I will be able to walk normally."

Julian is an 18-year-old student in her third year of secondary education in Uganda. She was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma, a benign breast mass that has been present for the past two years. The lump has affected her psychologically as she often thinking of it as a malignant tumor that may result in painful breast cancer. Julian could not proceed with treatment in a different facility after being reviewed due to financial strain. She heard of Nyakibale Hospital and the surgeon recommended surgery and linked her with Watsi's Partner for possible funding. Julian hopes to have the surgery done and resume her studies with a settled mind. Julian is the second born child in a family of 6 children. Her eldest brother could not proceed with university education due to lack of school fees. Her parents are smallscale farmers. They plant cassava and beans to make ends meet. Her mother takes up tailoring in shops sometimes to earn a living for the family. Julian's father says he is not able to afford the cost of surgery for her daughter and they appeal for help. Julian traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Julian needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Julian's father says, “I hope that my daughter’s condition will improve after her surgery so that she can continue with her studies effectively.”

Yorn is a 70-year-old monk from Cambodia. He has four daughters, four sons, and four grandchildren. He lives in the pagoda, teaching a group of students who are training to become monks. Yorn has been a monk for more than ten years. He spends most of his time reading, writing, teaching, and meditating. Three years ago, Yorn developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and pain when he tries to read. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that after surgery I can see much better. I need to get back to my books, and my many ceremonies at the pagoda without others taking care of me," Yorn said.

Sichoeun is a 62-year-old housewife from Cambodia. Sichoeun lives with her husband who works as a construction worker. Together they had one son and daughter who unfortunately have passed away. In November 2019, Sichoeun was walking along the road when a motorbike hit her. The accident caused a fracture of her right humerus. First she went to a Khmer traditional healer but their attempts to heal her were unsuccessful. She experiences pain and is unable to use her right hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On April 28th, Sichoeun will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $465. The procedure will stop her pain and allow her to use her right hand again. "I hope that the doctor will perform surgery successfully so that I can use my arm properly. Now I cannot work but if I get better I will be able to help my husband make money for us," Sichoeun said.