Sophon is a 48-year-old man living in Cambodia. He lives with his wife, daughter, and two sons, and he works as a policeman. Before his hearing began to deteriorate, he enjoyed listening to programs on the radio. Sophon has hearing loss in his right ear due to a cholesteatoma he developed many years ago. Sophon’s condition started with recurring discharge from his ear, and since then it has been odorous and painful. "I get pain every day and my hearing is lost in that ear, which makes me unhappy,” Sophon shares. “I can't work anymore." A cholesteatoma refers to an expanding growth in the middle ear, which can eventually lead to damage in the bones of the ear. These growths are often infected, and can cause chronic drainage. Sophon needs mastoidectomy surgery to remove the cholesteatoma and remove either the posterior ear canal wall or the ossicles, depending upon the findings in surgery. For $809, Sophon can receive this life-changing surgery he needs. Funding also covers one day of post-operative care and three follow-up visits. After the surgery, he is expected to regain some hearing and no longer have drainage. “I hope after the operation the pain goes away,” Sophon adds.

Meet Esther, a 46-year-old mother of four from Kenya. A year ago, Esther noticed increasing pain accompanied by irregular and heavy menses. "Esther was diagnosed with early cancer of the cervix," reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Esther is married and they have four children. Both Esther and her husband are farmers. Only their first born who could not make it to college after school works as a waiter in a hotel," continues AMHF. "The income for this family is inadequate to cover the cost of treatment." Ester needs a total abdominal hysterectomy - a surgical procedure that removes both the uterus and the cervix through an incision in the lower abdomen. "If not treated, the cancer may advance and spread to other organs," says AMHF. With a donation of $790, Esther can receive the surgery that she needs. She shares, “My dream is to start my own small business of selling old clothes. I pray for Watsi assistance and a successful surgery."

Raymar is a 16-month-old boy from the Philippines who loves to smile at people who come near him. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries, tells us, “he is unaware of his current condition and is moving and playing just like any other kid.” Raymar has an inguinal hernia, in which a mass of tissues protrudes through a weak point in his abdominal muscles. He has swelling around his groin area. Treatment for Raymar is a hernia repair, which will cost $1,437. His surgeon will push the tissues and fat back inside the abdominal cavity and suture close the opening in his muscles. The treatment will give Raymar an opportunity to live a normal life and he will be free from complications of hernias, such as tissue death. “As a mother, I dreamed of a wonderful future for my child, however, because of his condition, we could not clearly see his future,” says Raymar’s mother, “After he gets treated, we are excited to see him grow and play like other children and we will also be worry free."

Meet 30-year-old Sarom from Cambodia. “Sarom is married without children and she works as a farmer,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Sarom spends her time cleaning her house and taking care of her parents at home.” Sarom has a cholesteatoma in her right ear -- a non-cancerous skin cyst that has the potential to increase in size, and destroy the surrounding delicate bones of the ear. “When Sarom was two years old, she began have right ear discharge every day, and she never received treatment beyond occasional antibiotics,” reports CSC. “This causes her pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).” For $809, Sarom can receive a mastoidectomy to surgically remove cells in the spaces behind her ear, relieving her persistent pain and unpleasant symptoms. CSC continues, “After a mastoidectomy, Sarom will be able to regain her hearing ability, and the discharge will stop.” Sarom is eager to heal properly and return to daily life, and her husband remains hopeful that her pain will soon come to an end. She shares, “I hope the ear discharge will stop, and I’ll have good hearing.”

Meet 23-month-old Olga from Guatemala, the youngest of five siblings. “Olga is an energetic little girl that loves to jump and dance when she hears music. She imitates her mom’s singing voice and pretends to cook with little plates and cups while her mom prepares meals for the family,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Olga has acute malnutrition, causing her to be far below the average height and weight for her age. “Her immune system is weakening, and she is showing signs of developmental delays. At almost two years old, she is only speaking 12 words, whereas children on a normal developmental trajectory speak approximately 50 words at that age,” reports WK. “We worry that without intervention, Olga will continue to fall away from the growth curve, and her immune system will continue to weaken, putting her at risk of acute illness,” continues WK. “Furthermore, without medical intervention and parental education, Olga will have a higher risk of suffering from the long term effects of malnutrition.” With $535 in funding, Olga can receive comprehensive treatment for malnutrition, which includes growth monitoring, medication, micronutrient, and food supplementation. Her mother will also receive nutrient education that will improve the health of their entire family. This treatment will allow Olga to recoup the height and weight, strengthen her immune system, and reduce the risk of long term effects strongly associated with malnutrition, such as diabetes and complications during pregnancy. “We are so happy to be a part of this program," shares Olga's mother. "Thank God for allowing you to find us and for wanting to help our Olga. We hope she will recuperate soon.”

Zin is an 11-month-old baby boy from Burma. His father works as a day laborer and his mother stays at home to take care of him. Zin has hydrocephalus, a condition where fluid in the brain cannot drain properly and causes increased pressure. According to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), Zin’s mother noticed that her only child's head was growing bigger one and a half months after birth. The family has sought treatment before but hasn't had success in treating Zin's condition. $1,485 will cover the cost of a procedure where a neurosurgeon will place a shunt in Zin’s brain and drain the excess fluids. This will help prevent any further damage to Zin's brain. “I hope that my baby can be healthy,” says Zin’s mother.