Birhanu is a cheerful and affectionate eight-year-old boy from Ethiopia, the youngest child in his family of nine children. He enjoys playing football with his friends and spending time with his siblings. His father, a farmer, and his mother, a housewife, work tirelessly to support their 11-member family who primarily rely on agriculture. Their income is insufficient to meet their daily needs, so they are enrolled in a government food aid program and receive maize every month. The family also strives to save money in hopes of purchasing additional small plots of land to improve their financial situation. Birhanu was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. His birth brought a mix of emotions to his father, because Birhanu's elderly brother had been born with a similar condition. Birhanu’s father believed it was a divine punishment. He didn’t seek medical help, thinking the condition could not be treated, neither with medicine nor herbal remedies. Everything changed when he visited his daughter in Sekota, a regional administrative unit. There, he heard about a boy in the neighborhood who had received successful treatment for a similar condition through our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), under the Watsi program. Encouraged by this, he contacted a BKMCM field patient coordinator, who arranged a home visit and reassured them that the condition was treatable. Hope sparked in him as he began to believe Birhanu could get the treatment he needed. During his first visit to BKMCM, the warm welcome from the staff filled him with gratitude and renewed optimism. Birhanu is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Birhanu's father said, "I hope my son gets the treatment he needs and gets healthy. Then he'll be able to learn without any shame or embarrassment."

Misgun is a 12-year-old boy from Eritrea who loves playing football and drawing, especially pictures of saints. As his mother's first child, he brings immense joy to her life. He also has a younger sister - a toddler - with whom he enjoys playing volleyball. The bond between them is strong and full of joy! In 2017, Misgun and his mother fled their home country in search of safety and arrived at a refugee camp in Ethiopia. However, when conflict broke out in Northern Ethiopia, the camp became unsafe, prompting them to relocate to Addis Ababa with the help of friends. Along the way, they faced significant hardships but eventually reunited with family and began rebuilding their lives in the city, where Misgun's mother later gave birth to her second child. Life in Addis Ababa has been filled with challenges. Misgun's mother is a single mom living in a small studio in the city with her two children and cousin. She used to work as a domestic helper, but due to high blood pressure and recurring fainting episodes, she had to stop. Her cousin, who has also struggled to find work, has no steady income. Language barriers make it difficult to find work, and the family's survival has largely depended on the kindness and support of others and extended family members being able to occasionally send small amounts of money to help cover rent and basic needs. Misgun now attends a government school, where his education, school supplies, uniform, and meals are covered through a public feeding program for elementary students. Misgun was born with hypospadias, a condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of future complications. Fortunately, Misgun is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,293 to cover the cost of his procedure and care. Misgun's mother said, "I believe he will finally receive the surgery, and this chapter of our struggle will pass. I pray he will be able to live without shame."

Rayut is a 16-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham with his parents and two brothers. Rayut is in 11th grade and enjoys his Khmer class. He aspires to be a history teacher when he grows up. While the children are at school, Rayut's parents work in nearby rice paddies to support the family. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and volleyball with his friends in the village. His favorite meal is stir-fried chicken with ginger and rice. Around four years ago, Rayut started experiencing trouble breathing through his nose and a loss of smell. He has difficulty sleeping and feeling rested, and regular headaches. He needs surgery to remove nasal polyps to restore his breathing. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Rayut receive treatment. On June 2nd, Rayut will undergo surgery to remove the basal polyps. Now, he needs help to raise $405 to fund this procedure. Rayuth's mom shared, "We hope he can have surgery so he feels healthy at school and we stop spending money at the pharmacy on medicines that don't fix the problem."

Brian is a 16-year-old boy and the youngest of two children. He is in secondary school and enjoys playing football. His parents are both small-scale farmers and depend on farming to support their family. Three months ago, Brian was playing football and was hit by a friend on the right side of the lower abdomen. Since then he has had in and off swelling. He informed his parents who took him to a nearby clinic for a medical consult. A scan was done and showed that Brian had a reducible inguinal hernia, a condition where abdominal tissue pushes into the abdominal wall. If not treated, Brian may have interruptions in his education, and he may have complications like strangulation. On December 10th, Brian will undergo corrective surgery and our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $517 to fund this procedure. Brian's father shared, "We are worried something could be wrong with my son after that kick. We hope he can get help to be operated on and get well so that he can continue with his education and also avoid any complications."

Chanthorn is a 17-year-old student from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham province with his parents and younger sister. His parents are rice farmers and fishers. Chanthorn is in grade 12 and wants to work in Korea to support his family after he finishes high school. At home, he likes to eat pork and chicken soup, and in his free time, he helps take care of cows for his cousin to earn extra income. When he was eight, Chanthorn had an ear infection. This infection caused his left ear's tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, to perforate. For this reason, Chanthorn experiences tinnitus and recurrent ear discharge. Three years ago, his parents took him to a local hospital in Phnom Penh, where they recommended surgery but his family could not afford it. His symptoms did not subside with medicines, and he still suffers from pain and hearing loss. He has difficulty hearing conversations clearly, which can impact his ability to focus on his studies in class and communicate effectively with others. Chanthorn traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 24th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear, during which surgeons will close the perforation. His family can contribute $100, but our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, needs $387 more to fund Chanthorn's procedure and care. Chanthorn shared: "I hope to feel better and have no more ear problems."

Nay is a 13-year-old student from Burma. Nay lives with his grandmother, aunt, and brother, while his parents work in Thailand. In his free time, Nay enjoys playing football with his friends. On August 31st, 2024, Nay accidentally fell while playing with his friends. He fractured his right forearm and now experiences pain and swelling. Due to the bandage applied for stabilization and the pain, Nay has limited mobility on his forearm. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Nay will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for September 5th and will cost $1,500. The surgery will help restore the full use of his forearm. Nay expressed his gratitude saying, “Thank you, Watsi, for your help. May God bless you. I want to become a professional footballer when I grow older.”

Sarah is a 19-year-old student from Kiambu County, Kenya. She lives with her grandmother, who works on neighboring farms to support her family. Sarah completed secondary school last year. She hopes to attend college but is currently unable to due to lack of funding. In her free time, Sarah enjoys playing football. About seven years ago, Sarah started to experience an elevated heart rate and swelling in her neck. Now, she also experiences a hoarse voice and difficulty swallowing. When Sarah sought out care, she was diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid gland. Doctors suggested Sarah undergo a thyroidectomy to prevent her symptoms from getting worse, but Sarah's family can't currently afford to pay for her surgery. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. Sarah is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy at our medical partner's care center on June 21st. During the procedure, surgeons will remove all or part of Sarah's thyroid gland. Now, AMH is requesting $625 to cover the cost of her procedure. Sarah's grandmother said, "Please help my granddaughter. She has been sick for a long time, and I know if she gets well, she can assist me a lot"

Lida is a bright and motivated ten-year-old student from Cambodia. She has two younger brothers, who are twins. To support their family, her parents sell electronic appliances from their home. Some of Lida's favorite activities include playing with her brothers, reading books, and watching cartoons. She also loves eating her favorite meal: fried fish and fresh milk! In school, her best subjects are Khmer literature and math. She aspires to be a lawyer when she grows up. For some time, Lida has complained of hip pain and weakness, which have progressively intensified over time. She has been diagnosed with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, a condition that affects cartilage and bone development. Fortunately, she will undergo hip hemi-arthroplasty surgery on August 2nd at our medical partner's care center. During this procedure, surgeons will replace half of her right hip joint. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $544 to fund Lida's surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully alleviate her pain and discomfort, allowing her to live more comfortably and confidently. Lida's father says, "I hope she gets well soon and can be comfortable again."

Meshack is a six-year-old boy, living with his mother and one sibling, in a one-roomed grass thatched house in a village in Kenya. Recently, Meshack completed his preschool studies and now he is in grade one. According to his mother, Meshack is very helpful, and always assists her around the farm and in doing household chores. Meshack's mother is a single parent and a farmer, who works hard to provide for her family. Meshack was born with a condition known as hemiplegic CP, which means that one side of his body is weak. His right foot is affected, making walking challenging. Additionally, Meshack was born with clubfoot of his left foot, which adds to his difficulty walking, and limits his ability to wear shoes. Meshack has already undergone some preliminary, preparatory procedures on his left foot during mobile clinic visits near his village and the next step is for him to have clubfoot repair surgery at our medical partner's hospital. Meshack and his mother have now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Meshack's surgery, which will enable him to walk, to play with his friends, and to continue his education. “I would love to see my son walking like other children, and I will be relieved of the burden of carrying him to school,” Meshack's mother told us.

Chhanun is a playful five-year-old preschool student from Cambodia who has four older sisters. He currently lives with his grandmother because his parents are migrant workers in Thailand. They have not been able to visit him in two years. At home, Chhanun loves to play football and with his toys. When he was three-years-old, Chhanun had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. He now experiences ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. His condition also makes it difficult to communicate clearly with others. Fortunately, Chhanun and his family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 13th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This covers supplies, treatment, and inpatient care. Chhanun's grandmother says, "I hope his hearing improves and his pain goes away after this surgery."

Channarith is a 19-year-old student and security guard. He's the eldest of three in his family and his father is a construction worker. When not working or studying, he likes to play football, watch TV, listen to music, and help his mother with housework. Last November, Channarith was involved in a motorbike accident. He lost consciousness and severely injured his left arm. His parents took him to a clinic in their province, where doctors suggested they take him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. Channarith cannot move his left shoulder and he has no elbow mobility nor finger movement. His muscles have atrophied and he has no feeling in his left arm. Doctors anticipate that a nerve transfer will help to restore movement to the associated muscle. Channarith traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment, which is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On March 3rd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $696 to fund this procedure. Channarith says "I hope that I can use my arm and return to work as soon as possible."

Sina is a third grade student from Cambodia. He has two older brothers. He likes to play football and wants to be a policeman when he grows up. His favorite subject in school is Khmer and his favorite foods are milk and all kinds of soup. Three days ago, an insect entered his ear, causing ear pain, discharge, and bleeding. Sina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 15th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will remove the insect and treat his ear. Now, Sina needs help to raise $231 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my ear will stop pain and bleed. One day I will go to school and become a policeman," Sina said proudly.