Meet Sabina: a married mother of six children aged 23, 16, 12, 10, 6 and 4 years from Malawi. She is a farmer together with her husband. Her first child is married with one child and the rest of the children are in primary school except the last born who is yet to join school. Sabina likes chatting with her children and enjoys eating nsima made from maize flour with vegetables. Sabina was well until 18 months ago when she noted a small lump on her right breast that was not painful. She visited the nearest hospital where she was referred to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) for further assessments. At KCH, different tests were done, and a diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma was made followed by four cycles of neo-adjuvant therapy during September 2023. Sabina was later scheduled for surgery that same month, but unfortunately she did not report back since her last child was sick and admitted to the hospital for malaria. On January 16th this year, Sabina went back to KCH where she was referred to our medical partner's care center PIH for a modified radical mastectomy. Of late, Sabina has been experiencing needle pricking pains that are becoming unbearable without pain-relieving medications plus backache, weakness, and leg & chest pains affecting her farm work plus household chores. Sabina believes the surgical operation will help her get back to her normal condition and for her to continue taking care of her children and resume her farm work. Sabina said, “It is better to remain with one breast than have two with problems, I will move on with one breast.”

James is 13 years old teenager. He hails from Loseit, Longido district. James belongs to a midsized family comprising of both parents and four siblings, all of whom are being raised by their parents. James’ parents are farmers who rely on small-scale agriculture and livestock for sustenance. The family’s financial stability is often supplemented by selling cattle, providing the necessary funds to cover home expenses. Despite the family’s modest means, James is a dedicated student pursuing his primary education. In addition to his studies, he actively assists his siblings in cattle grazing activities at home. However, he faces a unique challenge as he was born with a congenital condition called clubfoot – his left foot is twisted inward. This condition makes walking uncomfortable for him, occasionally leading to school absences due to the pain associated with walking. Unfortunately, seeking medical treatment for James has been a challenge for his parents. Limited access to quality healthcare and financial constraints have hindered their ability to take him to a well-equipped hospital for the necessary treatment. Recognizing the severity of James’ condition, his father engaged with their village leader to address the issue. Together, they sought a solution to facilitate the required treatment for James. With contributions from his family, James, accompanied by the village leader, travelled to Arusha City in search of treatment. Fortunately, James's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on December 29th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund James's clubfoot repair. After treatment, his mobility will improve significantly. James’s guardian says: “I hope this will make it easy for him to attend school and help his family. I also hope his parents will be at ease after he gets treatment.”

Mu Yeh, a 23-year-old woman, resides in a refugee camp in Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand, along with her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and sister. Her parents run a snack-selling business from their home, while her brother and sister-in-law are currently unemployed. Mu Yeh's sister attends school within the camp, and she herself is a homemaker. In her leisure time, Mu Yeh finds joy in weaving traditional Karen ethnic clothes and visiting her relatives in the refugee camp. Each month, they receive 1,303 baht (approximately 43 USD) on a cash card from an organization called The Border Consortium. Additionally, they raise pigs which they sell when in need of extra cash. Despite their modest monthly income, it barely covers their daily expenses. Fortunately, they receive essential healthcare from Malteser International (MI) Thailand, which is provided free of charge in the refugee camp. In October 2022, Mu Yeh noticed a mass in her left breast. Initially, she dismissed it as normal, but by May 2023, the mass had grown and began causing her pain. Currently, Mu Yeh experiences considerable pain and discomfort in her left breast due to the large mass. The pain radiates towards the left side of her torso, making it difficult for her to carry anything heavy with her left hand. Seeking medical attention, she visited the hospital in the refugee camp, where the doctor referred her to Mae Sariang Hospital for further evaluation and treatment. On July 4th, with the assistance of MI staff, Mu Yeh underwent an ultrasound of both breasts. The results revealed cysts in her right breast and confirmed the presence of a mass in her left breast. Subsequently, she underwent a biopsy. During her follow-up appointment on July 18th, the doctor diagnosed her with fibroadenoma in her left breast and fibrocystic changes in her right breast. The doctor recommended removing the benign mass from her left breast under general anesthesia. Her surgery was scheduled for August 2nd. However, unable to afford the procedure, MI staff referred her to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for financial assistance to access treatment. BCMF is now requesting $1500 to help fund the procedure Mu Yeh needs. Mu Yeh said, “In the future, I would like to become a medic. When there is training in the refugee camp, I will register because I would like to study medicine.”

Phineace is nearly six years old and a lively student from Kenya. He loves playing with his friends and with toys. His youthful mother was overjoyed when she gave birth to a handsome boy, and she named him Phineace, a name which she says would be close to her name (her name is Phanice). His mother works as a salesperson, selling solar panels. She is paid on commission, which results in limited income. Phineace has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, making even the wearing of shoes a problem. Phineace's clubfeet makes it difficult for him to walk. He loses his balance and often falls. Phineace and his mother visited our medical partner's care center, AIC CURE International Hospital, where the doctors determined they could help. Surgeons will perform clubfoot treatment on October 24. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Phineace's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Phineace hopefully will be able to stand upright, stop walking on tiptoes and no longer have to crawl to avoid falling. Hopefully, he will be able to walk well, run, play with his friends and continue with his education like other children. “I am appealing to the people of goodwill to help my son undergo surgery so that he can walk like other children,” Phineace’s mother told us.

Madelyn is a loving wife and grandmother from the Philippines. She currently lives with her husband and five-year-old grandchild. Ten years ago, Madelyn discovered a lump on her breasts. She had it examined by a healthcare professional and was informed that it appeared to be a fluid-like cyst with a chance to be resolved on its own. Unaware of the potential severity of her condition, she opted to discontinue follow-up checkups. As the years passed, she experienced intermittent, yet tolerable pain. This past March, the pain intensified significantly, accompanied by a palpable mass. These changes alarmed Madelyn to seek medical attention once again. She underwent a thorough assessment and diagnostic tests and was ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Madelyn receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a mastectomy on May 31st at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising $1058 to cover the remaining cost. After treatment, Madelyn will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. "We are just relying on my husband's income as a driver, which is barely enough to sustain our needs. On our own, we will not be able to afford my needed treatment", Madelyn shared. "I'll be eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for helping me!"

Saing is a 47-year-old man who resides in a refugee camp along the Thai-Burma border. He serves as a volunteer teacher, dedicating his time to educating the children in the camp. He owns a small garden where he cultivates vegetables for his own consumption and generously shares the surplus with others. During his free time, Saing spends time reading books. Saing has suffered from a right inguinal hernia for the past 5 years. Initially, he could push the swelling back into his abdomen, but since August 2023, this has become increasingly difficult. He has also experienced severe pain in his groin since then. Saing has been diagnosed with a right irreducible inguinal hernia. Saing's doctor has scheduled him to undergo a right herniotomy with mesh repair on September 4th to repair the hernia. Our medical partner Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) will be helping Saing access treatment and he needs help raising $1,486 to fund the procedure. Saing said, “I would like to receive surgery to recover from my condition because I feel uncomfortable and I cannot do what I want to do. After the operation, I hope my condition improves and I can continue teaching.”

Lydiah is a 36-year-old fruit vendor from Kenya. Her husband is a motorcycle driver, and they have two children, ages eleven and seven. For seven months, Lydiah has been experiencing pain and abnormal bleeding in a sensitive area. After seeking treatment, Lydiah was diagnosed with a left ovarian benign cystadenoma and uterine fibroids. To relieve her pain, Lydiah needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. However, Lydiah does not currently have medical coverage and cannot afford the proposed procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On July 21st, Lydiah will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Once recovered, Lydiah will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Now, AMH is requesting $1260 to fund Lydiah's surgery. Lydiah said, “These stomach pains are unbearable and very uncomfortable. I cannot go to the market to sell fruits because of the pain. I hope to get this surgery to ease the pain and get back to my job.”

Darwin, a two-year-old toddler, resides with his parents and older sister in a small mining community nestled in the mountains of central Bolivia. Darwin was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and in need of supplemental nasal oxygen. The only way to treat his condition is through Congenital Cardiac Surgery. Skilled doctors at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría aim to close this hole using a patch, enabling blood to flow more naturally. Presently, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking assistance in raising the necessary funds of $1,500 for this crucial procedure. Your support would have a profound impact on Darwin's life and well-being. Edwin's mother said: "I am hopeful that Darwin will be able to be a normal and healthy child once his surgery is over."

Christina is a 56-year-old mother of five children. She and her husband- both farmers- live in Malawi. In addition to farming, Christina also does some piecework to earn additional money. In 2015, Christina started to experience pains in her neck, where she also noted a small swelling. She didn't bother going to the hospital, as her discomfort was very mild. In 2020, however, she began to experience chest pains, neck heaviness, and a hoarse voice. She also found it difficult to carry heavy items on her head. She visited the hospital and was diagnosed with a goiter. She continued on, living with her various symptoms until March 2023, when she developed breathlessness. On April 17th, 2023, Christina met with the surgeon at Partners In Hope Medical Center, who told her that her condition requires surgical intervention. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,015 to cover the cost of the thyroidectomy that Christina needs. During this procedure- which is scheduled for May 19th at Partners in Hope Medical Center- surgeons will remove part or all of Christina's thyroid gland. Christina is hoping to get better after surgery, so she can continue supporting her family as a caring mother. Christina said: "Thank you sponsors, I have hope that I will be well after surgery."

Marissa, who is 48 years old, is a hardworking vegetable vendor from the Philippines. In 2022, Marissa began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating abdominal pain, which have made it difficult for her to continue with her daily activities. After several months of enduring the pain, Marissa finally consulted a doctor, who diagnosed her with chronic calculous cholecystitis- an inflamed gallbladder complicated by gallstones- which needs to be treated surgically. Unfortunately, even with financial help from her sons, Marissa could not afford the cost of the surgery. As a result, she deferred her treatment, hoping that her condition would improve over time. However, the pain has persisted, making it increasingly difficult for her to continue working and providing for her family. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marissa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 18th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, but Marissa and her family still need help raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marissa's surgery and care, which will prevent her condition from deteriorating. Marissa shared: "We are incredibly grateful to World Surgical Foundation Philippines and WATSI for the support they are providing. Without their help, I may have continued to suffer in silence."