Komukama is a student from Uganda. She is pursuing an art and design degree. Komukama’s father and stepmother are small-scale farmers. Komukama has had a swelling on her wrist for three years. It is slowly growing in size. The mass is not painful but causes her discomfort. Komukama traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 2, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Komukama needs help to raise $187 to fund this procedure. Komukama says, “I will be glad to have this swelling relieved and I continue with schooling for the betterment of her future.”

Asaba is a laborer from Uganda. Since birth, he has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes him pain and discomfort, affecting his ability to work. Fortunately, on July 11, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund Asaba's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. He says, "After surgery I will resume working as a casual laborer."

Justin is a builder from Malawi. He lives with his wife on their small farm, and they have four young children. When he's not working as a builder or farming his land, Justin likes to spend quality time with his wife. Since July 2017, Justin has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes Justin pain and weakness and makes work incredibly difficult for him Fortunately, on April 03, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Justin's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. Justin was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded, and he is looking forward to going back to his building and farm work. He says, "Thank you, Watsi!"

Ten-year-old Victor was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him fatigued. Victor lives in a small town in central Dominican Republic with his parents, five sisters, and two brothers. He is in the fourth grade, and his favorite subjects are mathematics and social studies. Although Victor is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. He will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Victor will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Victor also covers the cost of medications and social support for him and him family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Victor's surgical care. "I am excited to learn how to play soccer after my surgery," says Victor. "I have always been too weak to play."

John is a 66-year-old farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife. Together, they have ten children and twelve grandchildren. He works as a maize farmer and also keeps chickens. When not working, John likes to spend time at his church and with his friends. For the past three months John has been experiencing urinary dysfunction. He was diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia, a condition in which the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the urethra, making it difficult to go to the restroom. On February 16, John will undergo a prostatectomy—a procedure in which part of the prostate is removed—at our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is asking for $733 to fund John's hospital stay, physician's fees, and medication. When told about the Watsi program, John and his family were overjoyed. "When I get better I can farm again and enjoy my time in church!" says John.

Htwe is a 35-year-old wife and mother from Burma who works as an agricultural day laborer. She lives with her three-year-old daughter, husband, and extended family. Two years ago, Htwe began to feel a lump developing in her lower abdomen. As the lump progressed in size, she began to experience severe back pain, eventually finding it unbearable to work. After two and a half years of intense pain, Htwe and her husband decided to seek treatment in January 2017. They were referred to our medical partner's care center, Mae Sot General Hospital (MSH), where an ultrasound and other tests revealed that Htwe has a myoma, a benign, non-cancerous tumor in her uterus. It was recommended that she undergo surgery to remove her entire uterus. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a total abdominal hysterectomy on February 2. Due to Htwe and her husband’s inconsistent sources of income, they are unable to pay for the surgery without support. This family-focused mother hopes to return to her job after her surgery and support her daughter’s future. “I want to work hard to save money for my daughter’s education. I want my daughter to become a teacher or a nurse when she grows up. I don’t want her to do hard work like me,” she shares.