Kemert is a three-year-old girl who lives in Ethiopia with her parents and brother. Her father works as a teacher, and her mother is a homemaker. Shortly after Kemert was born, she began experiencing recurrent tonsillitis. During these episodes, her throat becomes swollen and painful, she develops a fever, and she struggles to breathe, eat, and sleep. These periods of illness are emotionally difficult for Kemert and her family, who say the hardest part is watching her fight to breathe. Although tonsillitis can sometimes resolve on its own, doctors are recommending surgery because Kemert’s condition is severe and keeps returning. Currently, Kemert is experiencing symptoms and has been for about three months. Without treatment, her symptoms will persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, is requesting $700 to fund a tonsillectomy for Kemert, which is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Kemert of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Kemert’s family hopes for a future where she can feel peaceful during the day and sleep quietly through the night. Instead of being easily annoyed, tired all the time, and feeling sick, they want her to feel healthy and rested.

Nilo is 48 years old and a hardworking father from the Philippines. He has two children, both of whom are in school. Four months ago, Nilo began to experience troubling symptoms, including pain in the stomach and the back. Nilo was diagnosed with gallstones and has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Nilo is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on May 2nd. A portion of the procedure's cost is being covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,031 to cover the cost of Nilo's surgery and care. Nilo shared, "I am deeply grateful for Watsi's help. I hope more people can receive and benefit from this opportunity."

Devan is a five-year-old boy whose family hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. Devan lives with his aunt, who has been his primary caregiver since he was two years old. His aunt shared that Devan is the second-born child of her brother, and during Devan's early childhood, he and his sibling experienced significant neglect. Their parents were constantly in conflict and eventually separated, during which time the children were reportedly left without adequate food and care. This is when Devan's aunt chose to adopt and take responsibility for the two children. Devan's aunt is a single mother who separated from her husband about ten years ago. She has three biological children of her own and is now raising a total of five children. After leaving her marital home, she relocated to her maternal village, where she lives in a small rented house. To support her household, she earns a small income by washing clothes for neighbors. Despite her efforts, she reports that life has been extremely difficult, and meeting basic needs remains a daily struggle. Devan is currently enrolled in PP2 at a local school. While at school one day, he slipped and fell, sustaining an injury to his hand. He was initially taken to a nearby health facility; however, due to limited equipment and capacity, he was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Upon arrival, Devan’s hand was swollen, painful, and he was unable to use the affected limb. An X-ray done showing a fracture of the upper arm bone. An orthopedic surgeon has recommended an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure for proper management of the fracture. Devan's aunt, however, has no financial capacity to meet the cost of the required surgical procedure and associated hospital bills. She is therefore requesting financial support to enable Devan to receive the necessary treatment. Presently, it is difficult for him to use his hand, and he is in pain Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 19th, Devan will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will alleviate his pain and treat his condition. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $861 to fund this procedure. Devan's aunt says, "My nephew just had a fall, I didn't know it would come to a point when he would need surgery. Please help him so that when he fully recovers, he can go back to school."

Noosokon is a 34-year-old mother of four from Kenya. She and her husband own two cows, relying on livestock farming for their family's livelihood. A few days ago, Noosokon was milking one of the cows, as was her daily routine, when the cow suddenly struck her on the right side of her jaw, pushing her against a sharp object that severely injured her face. She began bleeding and was in severe pain. She was rushed to a nearby health center before being referred to a hospital for further management. At the hospital, she received first aid treatment, including stitches to the open wound, and was given pain medication before being referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, for specialized care. Scans at the hospital revealed that her jaw had been fractured during the incident. Unfortunately, she has not been able to undergo treatment because her family is not able to raise the amount required for surgery. Her jaw remains swollen, and she has been unable to eat due to the pain and swelling; she can only take milk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On March 3rd, Noosokon will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help relieve her pain, help her heal and go back to her daily life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,115 to fund this procedure. Noosokon says, “I am in pain. I am unable to sleep due to the swelling.”

Samen is a 59-year-old woman from Kampong Thom province, Cambodia. She lives with her second child, a grocery seller. Her husband passed away six years ago. Her other children are married and live in nearby villages. In her free time, Samen enjoys listening to monks' sermons and planting vegetables around her home. For the past ten years, Samen has been suffering from left hip avascular necrosis, a condition in which the blood supply to the femoral head is disrupted, leading to bone damage. Over the years, she has undergone several surgeries, including a left hip replacement. Unfortunately, she continues to experience a chronic infection of the hip prosthesis, which causes persistent pain and increasing difficulty with sitting and walking for long periods. Over the past week, her condition has worsened, making daily activities even more challenging. After first seeking care locally, Samen learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, through friends in her village and traveled three hours to reach the hospital. On February 3rd, she will undergo an uncemented hip replacement surgery on her left hip. Samen can contribute $100 and needs support to cover the remaining $1,400 for her procedure and care. Samen said, “After the surgery, I hope that I will no longer have pain and be able to walk properly, so I can go to the pagoda by myself easily.”

Luc is a toddler from Haiti. He lives in northern Haiti with his father, a teacher, his mother, a homemaker, and one older brother; he likes to help his mother around the house and feed the family's chickens. Luc has a cardiac condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Luc will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On December 17th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is contributing $ 6,000 toward surgery costs. Luc's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. They need help to raise $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Luc's family overseas. Luc's mother shared, "Our family has faith that this surgery will go well and our son's heart will be healed!"

Ambar is a 15-month-old baby girl from Bolivia. Her mom is a homemaker, and her dad installs building pipe connection tubes. Ambar has an older sister. Ambar's parents noticed she used to perspire a lot when crawling; her pediatrician noticed she had an enlarged heart and was not growing properly, and she was soon diagnosed with a heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two blood vessels next to the heart. This condition prevents Ambar's blood from circulating properly, causing weakness and leaving her at risk of heart failure if the condition is not treated. On December 2nd, Ambar will undergo heart surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew the hole closed so that blood can no longer leak through it. Ambar's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Ambar's mother says, "I pray my child will have a successful surgery."

Helton is a bright and cheerful four-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the first born child in a family of two children. His parents are humble farmers who cultivate maize as their main source of food and income. Although life in their rural community is modest, the family is close-knit and supportive. Helton spends most of his days at home playing near the family compound. Despite his joyful nature, Helton’s father has long been worried. Helton was diagnosed with wind swept deformity, a condition where his legs bow and appear windswept. Several factors could cause this condition, such as growth disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or excessive fluoride found in contaminated drinking water. As a result, the knees can be angled inwards or outwards, making it difficult to walk and may cause long-term joint damage. The condition makes walking long distances painful and tiring. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $631 to fund treatment for Helton. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 30th at our medical partner's care center, Kafika House. Treatment will hopefully restore Helton's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Helton’s father says, “I wish for my son to live a good, normal life that is not shaped by a condition he developed growing up.”

Varin is a seven-year-old boy in grade one from Cambodia. He is the youngest of three siblings. His parents work as rice farmers in Kratie Province, which is approximately seven hours from the capital, Phnom Penh. He has two older brothers who are also in primary school. Varin enjoys going to school with his brothers, and his favorite subject is Khmer. At home, he loves to eat vegetable soup. At a young age, he has already decided that he would like to become a policeman. When he was one year old, two fingers on Varin's right hand were burned by a fire that his mother used to cook rice. The scarring impacts his daily life and school activities. Writing lessons and completing homework are challenging because he is right-handed. Additionally, he struggles to grasp objects, particularly when eating, due to reduced flexibility and grip strength in his affected fingers. Varin traveled for seven hours to visit our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On July 3rd, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the function and strength of his right hand. Now, he needs help to fund this $652 procedure. Varin's mother shared: "I hope Varin's fingers will be better so he can hold objects easily, like his pencil at school."