Thearith is a eight-year-old student with two older sisters. Thearith's parents are factory workers. He enjoys watching TV, playing games, and reading books. When he was a baby, Thearith had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Thearith experiences ear discharge, pain, and hearing loss. Thearith is in pain and cannot communicate clearly with others, making school difficult. Thearith traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 23rd, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. 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. Thearith's mother said, "I hope this surgery makes my son's pain go away and improves his hearing so he can do fine in school and enjoy playing with friends."

Hnin is a mother of two from Burma. She lives with her husband and two sons, and she is always busy with housework. Since a few months after surgery to remove the cyst in her uterus in 2017, Hnin has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and abnormal bleeding. She has been diagnosed with Myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Hnin's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Hnin is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy and our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, she will no longer experience pain or bleeding. Moreover, the surgery will stop the mass from reappearing later. Hnin said, “I want to continue to work purchasing clothes and other goods from Mae Sot and selling them in Yangon to earn an income for my family. Because of my condition, I am not able to work for two years now.”

Sengheng is a vegetable farmer from Cambodia. She has two daughters, three sons, and six grandkids. She likes to watch Khmer dramas on TV. Two months ago, Sengheng developed a cataract in each eye, causing her tearing and cloudy vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sengheng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On November 8, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $398 procedure. She says, "I hope my eye surgery is successful so I can see clearly and lead an independent life."

48-year-old year Grace and her husband Tom live with their six children in Uganda. They farm crops such as soy beans and sorghum. Grace loves to sing and enjoys being part of her local village church choir. Grace shares with our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, that her second baby's difficult delivery caused a cystocele and rectocele. These are medical conditions in which supporting tissues and muscles are damaged. Grace experiences incontinence as a result. On November 1, Grace will undergo a hysterectomy and colporrhaphy to correct her condition and relieve her of her symptoms. Grace needs our help to cover her $321 medical bill. "I thank the donors for supporting me. We could not afford this surgery otherwise. This is a great gift," says Grace.

Naine is a 55-year-old man from Nepal. About three months ago, he began to experience pain on the left side of his abdomen. He had difficulty walking or lifting heavy weight. He traveled for three hours to seek treatment at our medical partner's hospital, Bayalpata Hospital. On November 18, Naine underwent hernia repair surgery. Doctors removed the bulging tissue in his abdomen to relieve the pressure that was causing him pain. Naine lives with his wife and five children. He works in India to support his family, while his wife tends to their cattle and farm. They need help to fund this $451 procedure. Naine says he is "grateful" to be receiving care.

"The eldest of three children, Newton is a bright, responsible and outgoing child. He loves mathematics and hopes to be an engineer someday," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Ten-year-old Newton lives in Kenya with his parents. His right testicle has not descended yet, putting him at risk for infertility and other health problems. "Newton may develop testicular torsion, inguinal hernia, infertility or testicular cancer if not treated," AMHF explains. Newton's family took him to a doctor when they first noticed his condition. They were able to pay for surgery on his left testicle, but do not have enough to pay for a second operation. For $540, we can fund surgery to correct his right testicle. "Newton loves school and even tutors his younger siblings and his parents can see that their son has a bright future ahead of him. They don’t want this problem to stop him from achieving his dreams. They hope that Newton will be able to get treatment," AMHF says. Newton shares, “I hope to get treated and resume school. I am certain that I will one day achieve my dream of becoming an engineer."

“My hope is for my daughter’s leg to be straightened so that she does not become completely disabled and dependent on other people,” shares three-year-old Naning’oi’s father. Naning’oi is a quiet and very serious three-and-a half-year-old girl who lives in Tanzania with her family. She likes to run around and play in the mud with her twin sister, whose left leg also bends inward at the knee. Naning’oi’s parents earn a seasonal income by farming and selling maize, which they use to support Naning’oi and their six other children. With the daily demands on their income, they are unable to pay for surgery to correct Naning’oi’s left genu valgum, or “knock knee.” “Naning’oi will be at high risk of developing early osteoarthritis if not treated,” report our medical partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “The capacity to perform daily activities effectively will also be low due to mobility restriction.” For $940 we can fund treatment for Naning’oi that will improve her gait, increase her mobility and decrease her risk of osteoarthritis. Let’s help Naning’oi continue to run and play without complication as she grows up to be the independent young lady her parents dream she will become!

Yesica is a very small girl from Guatemala. In fact, it was her size that tipped her mother off that something was wrong. "Yesica is not growing well, and both her height and weight are low," her doctor at our medical partner in Guatemala writes. "She is also very developmentally delayed. For example, even though she is almost 1 year old, she can't even sit up on her own yet." Yesica is malnourished, and needs medical support to get back on track. Yesica's mother tells her doctors she is worried because she notices that, "Yesica is growing a lot more slowly than my other children did." She came to Watsi's partner hospital because a friend of hers, who also participated in our nutrition program, referred her with positive things to say. This family is hopeful we can help, so let's do it! With $535, we can pay for Yesica's participation in an intensive nutritional therapy program, to treat her malnutrition and get her growth back on track.