Kondwani is a 34-year-old farmer and fisherman from Malawi. He is married with two sons aged twelve and seven years. Kondwani never went to school but is keen to support his children's education so they can have better opportunities in the future. Kondwani finds pleasure in fishing, and enjoys a meal of nsima made from cassava flour, and roasted fish. Six months ago, Kondwani was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia, which occurs when tissue bulges through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. The issue began with a minor swelling that led him to seek treatment at a local hospital. However, he was unable to receive immediate treatment because of the hospital's lengthy waiting list and his financial constraints. The swelling has since enlarged, causing him significant pain and making it difficult for him to perform his everyday tasks. Kondwani visited our medical partner's care facility, Partners in Hope Medical Center (PiH), where he was examined and surgery recommended. Kondwani however lacks the funds required for the surgical procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare is helping Kondwani receive treatment. On April 16th, Kondwani will undergo hernia repair surgery at PiH, alleviating the pain and enabling Kondwani to live more comfortably and confidently after recovery. Now, Kondwani needs help to fund this $575 procedure. Kondwani says, “I look forward to continue working and supporting my family after surgery.”

Shantel is a 7-year-old girl and the only daughter of a single mother. She and her mother live with her grandmother, along with her other cousins. Her mother has been volunteering as a health records officer and plans to go back to school to study orthopedic technology. Shantel’s grandmother is a milk vendor in her village. At school, Shantel accidentally fell and hurt her hand. She has been complaining of pain, tenderness, and swelling on her wrist. The doctors confirmed that she has a displaced volar of the right distal ulna radius fracture or a fracture on her right forearm. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, will perform fracture repair surgery on her arm to facilitate its healing. Shantel needs $679 to fund this procedure. Shantel’s mother says “My daughter accidentally injured her arm, and we are not able to raise funds for her hospital bills. Please help my daughter get well soon so she can continue with her studies when she fully recovers."

Faith is a 24-year-old woman from the Rift valley in Kenya who has had epilepsy since 2018. On December 15th, 2023 she had a convulsive episode and fell on an open flame in her kitchen. She sustained third degree burns on her right arm and was rushed to the nearest hospital. She was admitted for three days and received IV fluids, pain medication, and wound care before going home. Since her injuries did not improve, she went to Kapsowar Hospital and was diagnosed with third degree burns from her right elbow to her hand. She had no sensation in her forearm and fingers, no range of motion of the wrist and elbow, and was experiencing discharge and swelling. She also had exposed tendons and blood clots. Faith was scheduled for a procedure to remove the dead tissue from her arm, then for amputation of her second, third, fourth and fifth fingers in order to salvage the hand. At this point, it was determined she needed a further procedure and skin graft of her arm, along with major reconstruction in order to promote healing. Faith is the youngest in a family of six children. She could not finish her schooling due her epilepsy. Her parents are farmers working on two acres of land growing maize, beans and potatoes to provide for the needs of their children. Faith is not insured since she is over age and not covered by parents’ insurance. Her parents are unable to afford Faith's surgery and they thought she would be covered by the insurance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,089 to fund Faith's surgery. Faith said, “I have been in a lot of pain especially when having daily dressing changes, please help me so that I get well soon and be free from this pain.”

Reaksa is a 12-year-old student from Cambodia. She lives in Phnom Penh with her parents and brother. Her mother works in a clothing factory, and her father is a tuk-tuk tricycle driver. Reaksa is the oldest and is currently in sixth grade, while her brother is in kindergarten. In school, she enjoys mathematics class and dreams of becoming a police officer when she grows up. At home, she likes to eat egg-fried rice, read books, and do her homework. For several months, Reaksa 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, Reaksa experiences poor hearing and left ear pain, accompanied by ringing in the ear. The pain in her ear makes her feel very uncomfortable at school, often leading to her absence from class. Reaksa traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On June 20th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Reaksa's family was able to contribute $75 towards her medical care but needs help raising the remaining $851 to fund the procedure. Reaksa's parents shared: "We hope Reaksa will no longer be in pain and her hearing will be normal in the future."

Nyaduel is a 51-year-old woman from Ethiopia. She is a refugee and stays at Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. She is not employed and depends on donations at the refugee camp. She is married and a mother of six children, who are educated by relief agencies at the camp. Over three years ago, Nyaduel began to experience abdominal and back pain that worsened over time. A family member advised her to seek medical treatment. Nyaduel was diagnosed with cholelithiasis or stones in her gallbladder. If not treated, Nyaduel will continue to have pain and may have complications like bile duct obstruction. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $788 to fund Nyaduel's surgery. On May 20th, she will undergo gallbladder removal surgery at Nazareth Hospital. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully greatly improve her quality of life. Nyaduel shared, “I have endured a lot of pain. I hope to get help so that I can be treated and at least continue serving my family, despite where we are.”

Maria is a one-month-old baby girl from Haiti. Maria has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Maria has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Maria will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Maria at Hospital Bernard Mevs which will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on April 12th. The doctors will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Maria's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Maria will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family is looking forward to having their baby grow up healthy

Yong is a 54-year-old construction worker who lives in Phnom Penh with his wife, one son, three daughters, and two grandchildren. His wife sells popcorn near the Tonle Sap River to families and tourists. In his free time, Yong likes to listen to music, help his wife clean the house, or watch TV. Yong has diabetes and high blood pressure. About three months ago, he stepped on a nail at work and injured his right foot. The wound became infected, a common occurrence for people with diabetes who may not even know of the injury. Initially, Yong did not seek medical treatment because he could not afford the care. But when the wound did not heal, he visited a local clinic where a dressing was placed on his foot. Unfortunately, the wound has gotten larger - it now covers his ankle, and he has a constant fever. Yong is in pain, and he can no longer walk on his right foot or work in construction. If not treated, his infection could lead to gangrene and the loss of his foot. He is worried because he cannot afford to support his family if he cannot work. When Yong learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he sought treatment. On September 19, surgeons at CSC will perform a skin graft procedure to clean away the dead skin and cover the ulcer with a skin graft. Doctors will use a healthy skin area (the donor site) taken from another part of his body and place it over the damaged skin. Now, Yong needs help to fund this $487 procedure. Yong said: "I hope my foot can heal from the infection and I can go to work again."

Madeline is a 36-year-old mother of two from the Philippines. She proudly raises a son and a daughter while working as a dedicated hospital receptionist. Although her income only covers their essential needs, her hard work and determination shine as a testament to her unwavering commitment. In 2010, Madeline began to experience troubling symptoms, including a noticeable lump on her neck. Concerned about the cost of medical expenses, she postponed seeking medical consultation. Unfortunately, her condition gradually worsened over time. She now experiences persistent fatigue and shortness of breath, significantly affecting her ability to perform daily tasks. Increasingly concerned about her deteriorating condition, she finally sought medical attention. She underwent a thorough assessment and a series of laboratory tests. She was diagnosed with colloid adenomatous goiter, a thyroid condition characterized by the enlargement of the thyroid gland. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP) is helping Madeline receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on August 12th. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $935 to cover the cost of Madeline's procedure and care. Madeline expressed her gratitude towards Watsi donors and the World Surgical Foundation Philippines for sponsoring her operation. She shared, "I hope for the foundation to continue its long-standing service, helping more patients receive such assistance."

Cristina lives with her mother, a food vendor; her father, a construction worker; and eight older brothers and sisters in a neighborhood of La Paz, Bolivia. As a small baby, she struggled to breathe normally, and so her mother took her to the children's hospital where she was diagnosed with ventricular septal defect, a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart. Cristina also has Down syndrome. During surgery, doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Christina needs your help to raise $1,500 to pay for her heart surgery. Her mother says, "Our family is so grateful to know that there is a way to fix our daughter's heart so that she can breathe normally."

Evania is a two-year-old toddler from Bolivia. She is the second child in her family who live in La Paz. Her father is a construction foreman and her mother is an administrative assistant for the construction company. Soon after she was born, her pediatrician detected a heart murmur, and a cardiologist diagnosed her with two cardiac conditions. One is a hole between the two lower chambers of the heart, and another hole between two major blood vessels near her heart. Evania also has Down syndrome. It is recommended to have surgery to repairs these holes in her heart. Our medical partner International Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund Evania's surgery. During surgery, doctors will sew both holes closed so that blood can no longer leak through them. After surgery Evania will have improved circulation and more ability to be active. Evania's mother shared: "Our family is so thankful that Evania has been chosen for this surgery and we are praying that all will go well!"

Eh is a 68-year-old grandfather. Eh resides alongside his wife, son, and grandson in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. Eh is retired, while his wife is a homemaker. Both his son and his grandson are students. In his free time, Saw Eh enjoys listening to the news and songs, watching movies, and reading. Since early July 2023, Eh has had a right inguinal hernia. He experiences burning pain in his groin, which becomes swollen when he stands up after sitting for an extended period. He also faces difficulty with day-to-day basics like using the restroom. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on November 16th at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 for Eh's hernia repair surgery. Eh said, "I am so pleased. I never thought that I would receive support for my treatment like this. So, thank you to BCMF and donors for your support. I hope I can get better soon. Once I am fully recovered, I will help my family with household chores."

Lin is a 24-year-old day laborer who lives with his mother - who is a seamstress - in Thailand. During his free time, Lin enjoys playing cane ball with his friends. In June, Lin was involved in a motorbike accident that caused the fracture of his right femur shaft. He underwent emergency surgery, but in September 2023, he slipped and fell, causing the internal fixator attached to his fractured femur to dislodge. As a result, he experiences pain and swelling in his right leg, particularly in his thigh, and he is unable to walk. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Lin will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and to ensure that everything heals properly. This procedure is scheduled for October 6th at Mae Sot General Hospital, and will cost $1,500. Lin needs your help to fund this surgery, which will alleviate his pain and enable him to walk easily again. Lin said: "I want to thank you Watsi and all the donors for helping me receive this expensive surgery. After this surgery, I will certainly be more cautious. Once I recover, I want to work again to support my mother. I want to repay your kindness. I will always remember your help."