Sokeam is a 51-year-old street cart merchant from Kompong Thom province in Cambodia. She and her husband have three sons, three daughters, and four grandchildren. Sokeam sells Cambodian fried noodles from her street cart, and her husband helps support the family by working in construction. In her free time, Sokeam likes to listen to the Buddhist radio station and cook for her family. About two years ago, Sokeam developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. Sokeam has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Sokeam learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On August 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and place an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Sokeam is able to contribute $75 towards the cost of his treatment and need help raising $178 more to fund the procedure. Sokeam says, “I hope that after the surgery, my vision will improve while I'm working, and I won’t have to worry about my eyesight anymore.”

Abigael is a nine-year-old girl from Tanzania. She has six siblings. Abigael’s parents are farmers who rely on crop cultivation for food and income. When Abigael was two years old, shortly after she started walking, her mother noticed that her legs were bowing outward. Abigael was diagnosed with genu varus. 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, pain, and difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $695 to fund treatment for Abigael. Originally they planned for a bilateral surgery on both legs, but they determined that casting both legs and surgery on the left leg will be the best treatment plan right now. Her procedure is scheduled to take place on October 22nd at our medical partner's care center. Treatment will hopefully restore Abigael's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Abigael's father says, "Please help my daughter because this condition could hold her back on things she wants to do."

Immaculate is a 22-year-old farmer from Uganda. She and her husband are expecting to deliver their baby but due to previous health complications and challenges accessing pre-natal care, her doctors recommend that she deliver via a Cesarean section to ensure the safety of both mother and child. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Immaculate undergo a C-Section on March 1st. This procedure will cost $207 and Immaculate needs your support. Immaculate says, ‘’Thank you, donors, for putting a smile of hope on my face. I have high hopes of having a safe surgery and I know I will receive a healthy baby. May God bless every one of you. I will be able to continue with my farming and later I'd like to set up a grocery shop.’’

Justine is an engaging and friendly woman from Uganda. She and her husband have five children and farm for a living. Due to limited land, they grow enough food to feed their family and sell the surplus to generate an income. During her free time, Justine enjoys caring for her family and home through cooking and cleaning. For two years, Justine has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, discomfort, severe backaches, and other worrisome symptoms. Due to limited finances, she has not sought medical attention before, but when her symptoms became unbearable and she could no longer work, Justine came to our medical partner's hospital. The doctor diagnosed her with uterine myomas and recommended she undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. On February 28th, she will undergo gynecological surgery that will allow her to resume her daily activities free of pain once she recovers. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $219 to fund Justine's surgery. Justine said, "My faith is strong that, when given a chance of your support, I will be operated on and get better. I hope to regain my strength to resume farming in good health."

Raymond is a loving husband and father of five children from Tanzania. He used to work as a farmer. In the last few years, Raymond has been experiencing pain in both knees. He visited an orthopedic specialist and was told he would need a total knee replacement in both knees. Previously, Raymond underwent a [left knee replacement](https://watsi.org/profile/3a8334e32942-raymond), and now he needs to undergo the same procedure on his right side. Raymond visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). At AMHF's care center, surgeons can perform a total knee replacement to relieve Raymond of his pain and allow him to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for April 18, and Raymond needs help raising $822 to pay for this procedure. Raymond says, “I am grateful for the help I had received last year, I am asking again for help so that I may totally be able to walk and go back to fully work on my farm so that I may be able to look after my children.”

Eh is a one-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his mother, father, and grandmother. His parents work as farmers on a villager’s farm, and receive a share of the crop as payment. When he was one month old, Eh’s mother noticed his left eye was tearing up more than usual. At ten months old, both his pupils became white. Eh suffers from severe discomfort from bright lights and when the wind blows into his eye. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund lens replacement surgery for Eh. On March 23, doctors will perform a lens replacement, during which they will remove Eh's natural lenses and replace them with an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $1,500 procedure. "I want him to become a medic as there are many patients in my village and I want him to return home to help them when he is grow up," says his mother.

Jean Marc is a teacher from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince, where he is a high school math teacher. Jean Marc has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of Jean Marc's heart was severely damaged as a result of a rheumatic fever he suffered as a teenager, and it can no longer adequately pump blood through his body, leading to heart failure. Jean Marc will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On February 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will remove the damaged valve and insert a mechanical replacement. University of Virginia is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Jean Marc's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Jean Marc's family overseas. He says, "I am so thankful to everyone for giving me this chance to recover my health!"

Mirriam is a baby from Kenya. Her father is a motorcycle taxi operator, while her mother practices small-scale farming. The family is from a small village in the Rift Valley region of Kenya. Mirriam has been diagnosed with encephalocoele, a type of neural tube defect in which brain tissues and overlying membranes protrude through openings in the skull. Encephalocoele usually results from a failure of the neural tube to completely close during fetal development. Without treatment, Mirriam is at risk of developmental delays, brain damage, or premature death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $929 to fund encephalocoele repair surgery for Mirriam. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 26. Hopefully, the repair of this condition will allow Mirriam to grow up healthy.

Mosses is a student from Tanzania. He is the second born in a family of seven children. Mosses has just completed his primary school education. Mosses started getting sick almost a year ago when he noticed a bump on his upper right thigh that kept growing gradually. It was painful for him to walk to school, and he could not play or help at home with chores. He was expecting to enroll in secondary school this year, but the pain got worse, to the point where he could not sleep and would complain of pain throughout the night. Mosses traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On January 11, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Mosses needs help to raise $689 to fund this procedure. Mosses says, “I hope I will be able to walk, play, and attend school. Thank you for helping me get this treatment.”

48-year-old Juana lives in rural Guatemala. Juana takes care of her three children and household while her husband works abroad. A recent pap smear revealed abnormal results, which is a possible indicator of cervical cancer. Juana now requires a more thorough diagnostic procedure called a colposcopy to examine the abnormal cells. The $218 procedure will be performed on August 1 and results will indicate if Juana needs further treatment. Juana shares with our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, that she is looking forward getting back to her normal life and taking care of her children. She says, "Thank you so much for the help that you given me. I hope to God to be well."

Saroem is a ninth grader from Cambodia. She has three siblings and enjoys spending time with her family around the house. In the future, she would like to be an English teacher. She has a congenital disease called neurofibromatosis and has developed a large mass near her jaw. Luckily, the mass is painless, but it can become bigger, and she would like it removed. Saroem traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 6, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the mass. Now, Saroem needs help to raise $220 to fund this procedure. We are also fundraising for her [contracture release procedure](https://watsi.org/profile/2d6e3ae7fbd9-saroem). She says, "I hope to be able to eat and drink better."

Tha is a 10-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents and two younger brothers. She takes care of her brothers while her parents work as day laborers. She is in second grade. On November 6, Tha was playing and wrestling with her friends. She lost her footing and fell to the ground. Before hitting the floor, her left arm was twisted backward, and it landed in a bad position. Now, she cannot lift her arm and she is in pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Tha will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for November 9 and will cost $1,500. She will no longer be in pain and will regain use of her arm. Tha says, "I will continue my studies for the coming year, and I want to be a teacher when I grow up."