SreyOun is a 29-year-old hairstylist from Cambodia. Her husband works in construction, and they have a 6-year-old daughter in first grade. At home, SreyOun enjoys watching Youtube videos to experiment with different hairstyles and helping her daughter with schoolwork. In October 2021, SreyOun was on her motorbike and swerved to avoid hitting a dog in the street. She fell and fractured her lower left leg (tibia). SreyOun underwent surgery and received hardware in her leg at a private clinic; however, her leg has not healed correctly. Her wound is infected, and SreyOun is in constant pain and unable to stand up for her work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On April 21st, SreyOun will undergo a hardware removal procedure to remove the hardware and clean the wound so her leg can heal properly. CSC is requesting $304 to fund this procedure. SreyOun contributed $100 to her care. SreyOun shared: "After surgery, I hope the wound will be healed, and I can stand on my feet to style hair without pain."

Leang Hor is a 18-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has one brother and one sister and is the eldest child in his family. Leang Hor's mother is a factory worker and his father is a tuk tuk driver. In his free time, Leang Hor enjoys playing football, listening to music, and meeting with his friends in the evening. In 2019, Leang Hor was in a motor vehicle accident that caused a closed fracture of his left leg. He went to government hospital where plate screws were put into his fractured left tibia. Since the bone is now healed and there is no infection, the hardware can now be removed. On November 16th, Leang Hor will undergo a hardware removal procedure, which will cost $230. Surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, will remove the screws from his leg to prevent future complications. Once recovered, he will be able to walk normally. Leang Hor shared, "I hope I will heal quickly from the surgery so I can return to work."

Fiyas is a 54-year-old fisherman from Cambodia. She has four daughters and seven grandchildren, and enjoys going to the temple in her free time. Two months ago, Fiyas developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurry vision, irritation, and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Fiyas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 4, 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 that after my surgery, I am able to go outside by myself and help take care of my grandchildren."

Sophal is a 20-year-old man from Cambodia who makes jewelry for a living. He has two brothers and one sister. He likes to watch TV, listen to music, and tend to his jewelry shop. In December 2016, Sophal was in a motor vehicle accident, which caused a fracture of his left femur. He went to a hospital in Phnom Penh, and surgeons there performed an ORIF procedure, fixating hardware to heal his fracture. However, Sophal is still having difficulty walking and he is in pain. X-rays show that the plate fixated in his femur is not stabilizing his bones, and his fracture is not healed. Sophal heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from his neighbor. Sophal traveled for two hours with his mother to reach CSC for treatment. On July 13, surgeons at CSC will remove the hardware currently in Sophal's femur and perform an ORIF procedure to fixate a nail as well as a bone graft to stabilize and fix Sophal's bones and heal his fracture. The $430 requested to fund Sophal's treatment will cover the full cost of the procedure, including a hospital stay, labs, physician and surgeon time, radiology, and supplies.

Tumuhairwe is a 45-year-old farmer and father of two from Uganda. He and his wife works as small scale farmers to support their children. Six years ago, Tumuhairwe developed a small mass on his forehead. It has grown over time, causing him much discomfort. Tumuhairwe decided to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), for treatment. On August 8, Tumuhairwe will receive surgery to remove the mass. AMFH is requesting $187 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Tumuhairwe is excited about his prospects following surgery, saying, “After treatment, I hope to expand my farm when I get enough money.”

Shalo is a nine-month-old infant from Ethiopia living with an imperforate anus. An imperforate anus is a type of anorectal malformation, where the malformed rectum threatens to complication normal bowel movements. An anorectal malformation is discovered upon birth, and is often accompanied with spinal or heart complications as well. Depending on the severity of the malformation, those with an imperforate anus can have chronic constipation, or in more serious cases, may need an emergency colostomy. Shalo was one who needed to have an emergency colostomy due to obstruction of his bowels. Since then he has been unable to independently pass stool, and is exposed to further colostomy complications such as leakages, infection, or obstruction. Shalo is the third child born to his family. His father works as a laborer, and makes approximately $2.40 per day. Since birth, Shalo has needed full time care, and his mother has stayed at home to take care of him and his siblings. With the reduced income, saving for the needed procedure has been difficult. “All I need is my boy to get the treatment and be healed,” says Shalo’s mother. “Then I can get back to my work and help support my family too.” Shalo needs a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty to surgically reposition the rectum and anus and better allow for regular bowel movements. After the surgery, a colostomy opening will be created to allow recovery from the anorectoplasty. Then, two to three months later, a colostomy closure will be done to complete the process. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, tells us that for $1,500, Shalo can have the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty and colostomy closure he needs. The total cost includes the antibiotics, imaging, and inpatient stay. After his recovery, he is expected to be able to independently pass stool and allow his mother to return to work.

Three years ago, Asiimwe, a 44-year-old husband and father from Uganda, began to feel pain in his left groin. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains that Asiimwe went to a hospital in July of 2015 and was diagnosed with an inguinal scrotal hernia. A hernia occurs when an organ or fatty tissue bulges out through a weak spot in the muscle or tissue surrounding it. Although surgery was advised, Asiimwe was unable to afford it, having used his money to pay for his children’s schooling. “The pain from his hernia is on and off,” says AMHF. “Sometimes it becomes so severe that Asiimwe can’t bend over. He can’t do work or lift heavy items.” Asiimwe is a married father of nine children. His work includes motorcycle transport and small-scale farming--planting and selling tomatoes and maize. However, with his condition it is difficult for him to work in the fields. His wife does not have a paying job, but digs to produce food for the family. Surgery is not financially feasible for Asiimwe, but without it the hernia may become strangulated, a life-threatening state in which the hernia cuts off blood flow to the intestine. $220 will fund the necessary surgery to treat Asiimwe’s inguinal hernia, during which the hernia sac is either pushed back out of the way or cut off. This operation will also eliminate the risk of strangulation and the money will cover not only the surgery itself, but also the hospital stay Asiimwe will need to recover. Once he has healed, Asiimwe hopes to expand his fields so that he can produce enough food and earn enough income to support his family. “Thank you for your kindness to the poor,” shares Asiimwe.

"I wish I could get help and be well again!” shares Tumwesigye, a 65-year-old woman from Uganda. Tumwesigye was diagnosed with uterine prolapse, a condition that caused her uterus to drop out of her vagina. “It causes her back pain and she feels uncomfortable. If not treated, Tumwesigye may develop severe infection which could result in death,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “When Tumwesigye delivered her first child, she felt her lower abdomen was not stable; it was as if it was suspending. She didn’t get the same feeling after delivering the children that followed. However, after delivering her last child about 20 years ago her lower abdomen felt strange again. After some years her uterus came out. Tumwesigye was given herbs that made it go back inside again. Three months ago the uterus came out again. She came to Virika hospital for help after being advised by her neighbor,” explains AMHF. $280 funds a treatment that will restore her uterus and no longer leave her at risk for severe infection. She will be able to go back to her work in the gardens. Tumwesigye is a widow with seven living children. Let's help her get back on her feet and fund this treatment!

Panha is a 25-year-old man with a love for music. He also “enjoys helping his wife at home and watching movies on TV,” shares our medical partner in Cambodia, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). In recent months, Panha has been dealing with lingering pain from a serious accident. While driving his motorcycle this past December, “Panha had a head-on collision with another moto,” CSC explains. “The accident caused an open left tibia fracture, a closed left femur fracture, and a finger and wrist fracture in his left hand.” Although his leg was put in a cast immediately after the crash, Panha’s wrist and finger injuries were not diagnosed at the time. As time went on, he noticed that he was having trouble using his left hand, and was experiencing pain in his wrist. He traveled two hours with his wife to another hospital, where he learned of his undiagnosed fractures. In order to regain basic function in his left hand, Panha needs to undergo a procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation surgery on his left hand and wrist. In this two-part operation, doctors will first move the fractured bone back to its proper place, then will insert a device to keep the bone in place. Panha cannot afford this surgery on his salary as an enlistee in the military. But we can help him out. $405 will cover the operation he needs, as well as physical therapy after his surgery. CSC will also check to make sure Panha’s leg is healing properly. Panha looks forward to regaining use of his hand. “I hope after surgery I can hold things with my hand and my arm won't feel so painful," he tells us.

“Gift is a quiet, 16-year-old girl from Tanzania,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Gift started having seizures when she was eight years old. One afternoon, Gift started a fire and was going to boil some sweet potatoes when suddenly she started convulsing. She fell down and her blouse caught fire. She was rushed to the hospital where she was admitted for a few months.” The burns on both of Gift’s arms caused the muscles to be deformed and she is unable to move them. If not treated, Gift’s arms will never be fully functional. Despite her condition, Gift tries to wash some dishes and wash her own clothes. Her mother has a small charcoal business and her father works as a carpenter, but their income is not large enough to pay for Gift’s surgery. Gift's condition causes her to be heavily reliant on help from other people and as a result, she will not be able to properly support herself in the future. $870 will cover contracture release surgery to remove the excess scar tissue from Gift’s elbows, restoring a fuller range of motion in both arms. It will also provide Gift with the medicine and hospital stay she needs to recover. “I hope my daughter will be able to use her hands so that she can become more independent,” says Gift’s mother.

Ester, an active, 19-year-old woman from Uganda, studies lab technology at school and is looking forward to a career in the medical field. For the past five years, Ester has had an umbilical hernia, a condition in which the intestine protrudes through the belly button. The hernia has been causing her increasing pain, for which she now needs painkillers. Ester lives at home with her parents and siblings. In her spare time, she enjoys reading novels, playing volleyball, and socializing with friends from school. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, shares, “Ester’s umbilical hernia has been disrupting her daily activities.” $227 will cover the cost of a hernia repair surgery. The Kellermann Foundation explains, “Ester’s doctors expect her to be able to return to all her normal activities pain-free, including sports.” After surgery, Ester is looking forward to playing volleyball again, working, and helping out at home. Ester shares, “I would like to thank the people helping me for their support.”

“I only want to say thank you, I am so grateful that you will help me again,” says Khin Shwe, a 38-year-old mother from Thailand. Khin Shwe was a previous patient with our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), and Watsi donors funded a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove Khin Shwe’s uterus after doctors diagnosed her with a uterine myoma. Unfortunately, since that operation, she developed an ovarian mass—necessitating removal of her left ovary through an oophorectomy procedure. “In July, after her first operation, Khin Shwe could still feel the mass in the right side of her abdomen. Now, the mass is 19 cm by 23 cm—it is so large it can be seen through her abdomen and is causing her a lot of physical discomfort,” explains BBP. Along with being painful, the mass is causing Khin Shwe to lose weight quickly. “I want to eat a lot, but I cannot, my abdomen becomes even bigger when I do—it is so uncomfortable for me, I feel stuffed all the time and I cannot sleep well at night,” she describes. Since Khin Shwe returned from BBP’s clinic in Burma, she has been staying with her daughter, who works at a factory, and her husband—a security guard at a local factory. BBP continues, “It is painful for her when she sits down and stands up, she only walks a little and slowly. At home, she can cook rice and clean a little, but she cannot carry anything. She just prepares the curry for when her husband and daughter return from work.” For $1,500, Khin Shwe will undergo a second oophorectomy. This time, doctors will remove her right ovary and the painful, growing tumor. Funding will also cover a seven-day hospital stay, transportation to BBP’s hospital clinic and food throughout her recovery. BBP adds, “After surgery, Khin Shwe will be able to go back to see her father in Burma,” who recently suffered a stroke. “She will be able to help her mother take care of him.” “When I arrived at the clinic, the midwife encouraged me and told me that the organization that helped me before will be able to help me again. I am so thankful that I will get a new life,” shares Khin Shwe. “When I am healthy I will go back to see my father—I know that it will be the last time. I pray for my father—I was so confused I had to think about my father’s condition and my condition so I couldn’t do anything. I couldn’t get treatment because I had to take care of my father.” Let’s help end to Khin Shwe’s medical issues so she can care for her children and her father.