Two weeks after his birth, Twahla’s mother noticed that he had not yet passed stool. From the nearest hospital, his mother was advised to use glycerine to lubricate his opening and aid in passing stool. However at six months, the glycerine was no longer effective. They were advised to try another treatment and at seven months, they were referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center BethanyKids Hospital where a biopsy was done. Doctors diagnosed Twahla with Hirschsprung's Disease. His doctors recommend a pull-through procedure to aid in passing stool normally. Twahla is the second born in a family of two children. His mother is a housewife while his father is a salesperson with a very limited income. The family lives in a two-room rental house in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. They had the national insurance health insurance coverage, but have exhausted their NHIF benefit kit and are not able to raise the additional funds needed. “Please help my son get through with this treatment,” shared Twahla’s mother.

Tumusiime is a 52-year-old single mother to four children. All her children are now married and practice small scale farming since they were not able to receive enough education. Tumusiime presented with lower abdominal pain feeling a mass in her abdomen for two years. This has reduced her work performance and caused discomfort as she gets heavy bleeding also. If not treated, she may have persistent pain, develop complications like anaemia and stands a possibility of becoming cancerous. Tumusiime had never been to any hospital for medical treatment because she had no money but was feeling the pain. After hearing of Watsi partner's SAFE program at Nyakibale hospital, she was seen by the gynaecologist who diagnosed her with tube ovarian mass and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia recommending total abdominal hysterectomy and cystectomy to improve her quality of health. She can’t afford the costs of her surgery and needs support. Tumusiime says, “I hope for a good outcome from my surgery and continue with cultivation.”

Seyha is a sixth-grader from Cambodia. He is thirteen years old and his favorite subject to study is Khmer literature. One of his favorite foods to eat is fried meat. Seyha has one older brother and one older sister and he enjoys reading books, watching television, and sleeping. Seyha has clubfoot on his left side. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Seyha traveled four and a half hours to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons will perform a circular frame external fixation on March 5th to help Seyha. CSC is requesting $385 to fund Seyha's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk with ease and will be able to wear shoes easily again. "My family is very worried about my clubfoot and that I have grown up abnormally and cannot walk well. I hope that the operation goes well so I will be able to walk normally."

Julian is an 18-year-old student in her third year of secondary education in Uganda. She was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma, a benign breast mass that has been present for the past two years. The lump has affected her psychologically as she often thinking of it as a malignant tumor that may result in painful breast cancer. Julian could not proceed with treatment in a different facility after being reviewed due to financial strain. She heard of Nyakibale Hospital and the surgeon recommended surgery and linked her with Watsi's Partner for possible funding. Julian hopes to have the surgery done and resume her studies with a settled mind. Julian is the second born child in a family of 6 children. Her eldest brother could not proceed with university education due to lack of school fees. Her parents are smallscale farmers. They plant cassava and beans to make ends meet. Her mother takes up tailoring in shops sometimes to earn a living for the family. Julian's father says he is not able to afford the cost of surgery for her daughter and they appeal for help. Julian traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Julian needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Julian's father says, “I hope that my daughter’s condition will improve after her surgery so that she can continue with her studies effectively.”

Yorn is a 70-year-old monk from Cambodia. He has four daughters, four sons, and four grandchildren. He lives in the pagoda, teaching a group of students who are training to become monks. Yorn has been a monk for more than ten years. He spends most of his time reading, writing, teaching, and meditating. Three years ago, Yorn developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him tearing, blurry vision, and pain when he tries to read. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Yorn learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four-and-a-half hours seeking treatment. On May 18th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery, and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that after surgery I can see much better. I need to get back to my books, and my many ceremonies at the pagoda without others taking care of me," Yorn said.