Dany is 29-years-old. She is married and her husband is a farmer. Together they have one son. When Dany's not caring for her very active child, she likes to go through Facebook and watch TV. For the past ten years, she has had consistent right ear discharge and pain. When she was a child, she had surgery for an abscess near her right ear. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Dany experiences hearing loss and ear discharge. It is difficult for her to hear or communicate with others. Dany traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 14th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $925 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I really hope that after the operation my ear will be better, the hearing will be normal, the ear discharge and pain will all be gone," Dany said.

Laiyorie is a three year old baby boy and the last born child in a family of seven children. Unfortunately, Laiyorie's father passed away last year leaving their mother with seven children to take care of all by herself. She was able to start a small business which sells kerosene, sugar, and a few other commodities to make a living and help her provide for her children. Laiyore was born with deformed fingers of the right hand due to amniotic banding and webbed toes on his right leg. His parents could not seek treatment for him due to financial challenges. But when his mother learned about African Mission Healthcare from the doctors who visited her church she decided to seek treatment for him with our medical partner. But his mother cannot afford her son’s treatment cost. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. Laiyorie has been scheduled for surgery to remove his deformed index finger which will help him use the remaining fingers with ease in carrying out his daily activities. Now, Laiyorie's mother asks for your help and support in funding this $1,088 surgery. Laiyorie’s mother shared, “With all the responsibility I have to provide and care for my children I will not be able to afford my son’s treatment cost. Please kindly help my son have this surgery.”

Khaing is a 35-year-old woman from Thailand. Her husband is a day laborer while she is a homemaker who looks after their two-year-old daughter at home. Khaing's husband earns 5,000 baht (approx. 166 USD) per month as there is less work, they shared, since the outbreak of COVID-19. In her free time, Khaing likes to make Burmese fish noodle soup called moh hin khar. In the middle of June 2020, Khaing started to vomit each time after eating. She also experienced chest pain and discomfort in her stomach after eating and drinking. A few days after she first felt unwell, she went to a private clinic near her home. She received pain medication and one injection, and she was told she was suffering from an inflammation in her stomach. Khaing felt better after taking the medicine but by the end of July, Khaing actually felt worse. She started to experienced back and lower abdominal pain and constipation. Her abdomen also increased in size and she started to lose weight. Khaing's neighbor told her she was pregnant and Khaing believed her. Around 15 days after her new symptoms began, Khaing purchased a pregnancy test from a shop which showed she was not pregnant. Khaing thought someone might have cursed her so she then went to a fortune teller to ask for help. When the fortune teller told her she was not cursed, Khaing started to believe that she might be really be ill. She went to Mae Tao Clinic on August 20th, 2020. At the clinic, she received diagnostic tests which showed that both of her kidneys are swollen, a condition called hydronehrosis. She was then taken to Mae Sot Hospital on August 25th for further investigation and is now scheduled to return for treatment. While waiting for her appointment, Khaing's condition worsened. Her stomach is still increasing in size, she can no longer eat or sleep properly and she feels very uncomfortable. The pain in her lower abdomen had also worsened. When she called and talked to the medic, she was told to come back to the hospital sooner. At the hospital she received a blood test, and she was told she would need a CT scan so that the doctor could properly diagnose and treat her. Unable to pay for the CT scan, the MTC medic later referred Khaing to Watsi's Medical Partner Burma Children Medical Fund. Currently, Khaing cannot walk because she feels like her stomach is very heavy. She feels uncomfortable when she lays down and she cannot sleep well. She is still experiencing lower abdominal and back pain. Whenever she eats or drinks, she vomits. She also noticed that since the end of July she has to urinate frequently, but she is only able to pass a small amount each time. Doctors want Khaing to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Khaing's CT scan and care, now scheduled for September 14th. Khaing said, “I feel stressed and angry. I also don't want to talk to other people and I'm growing inpatient with my daughter. Also I'm feeling worried that I will die early [at a young age]. I don’t want to die because my daughter is still very young.”

Susana is a 62-year-old farmer from Kenya. She is a talkative and happy grandmother who lives in along the Kerio Valley. Susana is a mother of four and is a subsistence farmer in the upcountry. She plants millet and sorghum in her small farm along the valley to meet her daily needs. She lives in a mud house with her husband. She shared that her four children did not finish school due to lack of money and are in the village doing casual jobs like working in hotels, while her two daughters are married. Susana was well until the Sunday, August 9th when she accidentally fell and injured her left hip. She is currently in pain and unable to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 13th, Susana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Susana shared, “I want to get back on my feet and resume my normal duties of farming and taking care of my husband."

Kong is a 60-year-old tour guide from Cambodia. He and his wife have three children. Kong has to travel a lot for his work, but he can support his family. He enjoys taking care of his children, helping them with their schoolwork and taking them on trips. Last year, Kong had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in both ears to perforate. For this reason, Kong experiences hearing loss, ear pain, and pus discharge. He has trouble communicating in his work now, and his wife is very concerned that he will have permanent hearing loss. Kong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 8th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in both ears. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforations. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $913 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Kong said, "I hope that my ear can heal well after this surgery and that I can have an easy time going back to work. I do not want my family to worry too much."

Kyaw is a 23-year-old young man from Burma. He lives with his mother, younger brother, and sister in Mawlamyine City. He and his mother own a small plot of land where they plant different fruit trees, such as mango, rambutan, durian, lime and others. They sell the fruit at the market and in total make around 200,000 kyat (approx. 200 USD) per month. His younger sister is in her final year as a university student, while his younger brother is in grade nine. Kyaw used to work as a day laborer sometimes when he was well, but now his symptoms prevent him from working. In his free time, he loves to read newspapers and listen to music at home. Kyaw was born with a ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of the heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him feeling sick and short of breath. Kyaw is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on June 14th to correct his condition and improve her quality of life. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kyaw's procedure and care. Kyaw's mother said, “My son is a good man and he always works hard for the family. When he gets sick, he hides it because he is worried that I would feel stressed about him. He does not go out much and enjoy himself. He always helps me in the garden.”

Samwel is a 14-month baby boy from Tanzania, the third born in a family of three children. He was born healthy but after one week his parents started noticing that his head was growing significantly. They took him to several hospitals where he was given medication but his condition was worsening. They were referred to another hospital in another city where Samwel was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and a VP Shunt was placed for him when he was three months old. He was discharged home doing well until a week ago when he started getting regular fevers. His mother noticed that there was a wound on his stomach and they could see the tube that was placed when he was three months old. Samwel’s father heard about treatment for children with hydrocephalus at Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC from our outreach team and when his son got sick he reached out for treatment and support. Samwel’s father is a subsistence farmer and his mother is a housewife. They do not earn enough to be able to afford Samwel’s needed treatment. Samwel has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Samwel has been experiencing increased head circumference and frequent fevers. Without treatment, Samwel will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,362 to cover the cost of surgery for Samwel that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 13th and will drain the excess fluid from Samwel's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Samwel will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Samwel's father says, "I have been to several places for my son's treatment, right now I cannot afford this other surgery he needs. Please help him get this needed treatment."

Nita is a sixth-grade student from Cambodia. She has two brothers, and her favorite subjects in school are Khmer literature and English. She hopes to become a doctor when she gets older. When she was just one year old, Nita had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Nita experiences discharge, itchiness, and hearing loss. She struggles to concentrate at school and cannot hear others well or communicate easily. Nita traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 26th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right 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. "I hope that my daughter's surgery will go smoothly and her ear drum will heal and she will have good hearing again." -Nita's Mother

Lewis is a playful and social student from Kenya. Lewis is the brother to Jonah, who also needs clubfoot repair, and is the 6th born in a family of 8 children. He aspires to be in the Special Forces as a Military Officer in future. The family hails from Iteria village in Meru County. His single mother used to be farmer but she currently stays at home. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Lewis has clubfoot of both of his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Lewis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk well and no longer be in pain. “We request your support. I cannot be able to raise the estimated bill. Please help,” Lewis’s mother pleaded with us.

Stephen is a young student from Kenya. His father is employed casually at a construction site while his mother hawks fruits to supplement the family’s income. Stephen is in class three and aspires to be a pilot one day. Stephen was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Stephen has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Stephen will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 5th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I want to a pilot when I grow up,” says Stephen.

Yosephe is a young boy from Ethiopia. He is shy but he loves to play with toys with his two sisters and his mom. His dad is a farmer and a daily laborer with a small plot of land. His mom is also a farmer and they farm their land together. Their harvest is limited to feed the family throughout the year and the father works other hard labor to support his family. Yosephe was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Yosephe has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Yosephe will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 7th. AMHF is requesting $717 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yosephe’s father said, “I am a poor farmer. But I hope my child will be much better with education and a good career. I hope he will lead his life in good health and have a better quality of life.”

Jackson is an eighteen year old and the firstborn child in a family of six children in Tanzania. He never had a chance to go to school since his parents could not afford the cost of educating him. He is hardworking and helps his father in looking after their cattle and working on their farm. Jackson started having leg problems four years ago. Over the years his legs have curved inward making him struggle to walk and go through pain when he walks for a long distance. He can’t go too far with his father’s cattle or work on the farm. His father didn’t have the money to take him for a check-up in a hospital. They tried herbal medicines but none have helped to straighten his legs. When our outreach team visited their village they got to know about Jackson’s condition and referred him for treatment at our hospital. He has been diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus which need to be corrected surgically but his parents can’t afford the treatment cost. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Jackson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on December 10th. Treatment will hopefully restore Jackson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Jackson says, “I will be so happy if I can get this treatment and be able to walk normally again without the difficulty I am going through.”