Tumukunde is a small-scale farmer from Uganda. She has four small children. For five years, Tumukunde has had an umbilical hernia. This hernia causes her pain and discomfort, and this is affecting her ability to work Fortunately, on August 2, she will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $219 to fund Tumukunde's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Tumukunde says, “I hope to continue with cultivation after surgery since it’s where I get money to support my family.”

Phan is a mother of three from Cambodia. She is a rice farmer and enjoys relaxing at home while listening to the radio when she has free time. About nine months ago, Phan developed a pterygium in both eyes, causing her itchiness and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, a mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Phan learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for two hours seeking treatment. Phan needs a surgical procedure to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $201. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for January 15. She says, "I hope I can help my eye and continue my work."

Sarah is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, brothers, and sisters in a rural area in the mountains of central Haiti. Her parents are both farmers. Sarah has graduated kindergarten but is not attending first grade this year because of her illness. Sarah has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This diagnosis involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a blockage of one of the valves. Sarah will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch and remove the muscular blockage in her valve. Another organization, Health City Cayman Islands, is contributing $22,000 to pay for surgery. Sarah'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 Sarah's family overseas. Her aunt says, "Our family is very excited for Sarah's surgery so that she can be healthy and safe, and can go to school."

Beatrice is a saleswoman from Kenya. She is a single mother of one child. In December, Lucy was involved in a road accident, in which she sustained bilateral tibia and femur fractures. She considers herself lucky and blessed to be alive, as only two people out of 19 survived the accident. She is currently unable to use both her legs. Beatrice has undergone a debridement on the open fractures and a repair of the left tibia and femur. She now needs a repair of the right femur and tibia. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 2, Beatrice will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. We hope after this surgery, she will regain full function of both her legs. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Beatrice says, “I would like to be able to walk again and continue providing for my son, two siblings, and dad as I used to before. Kindly help me."

“I thank God for connecting me with your help,” shares Arcemio, an 18-year-old boy from Guatemala. Although only a teenager, Arcemio has already had more than his share of health challenges. When he was just 11, Arcemio contracted cancer and lost a leg. Because of the cancer, Arcemio also had to be taken out of school at a young age, meaning he still has only a third-grade education. Without a leg, Arcemio struggles to get around and to complete routine daily tasks. Furthermore, although he desperately wishes to work, he cannot find a job. A prosthetic leg would make a world of difference for Arcemio, but his family cannot afford to purchase one. His mother works at home, taking care of Arcemio and his two other siblings, while Arcemio’s father works as a day laborer in the local countryside. But with Watsi funding, Arcemio can receive a specially molded leg fit just for him. $1,166 will pay for the materials and fitting sessions necessary to create this prosthesis, set to take place beginning June 9. Having an artificial leg will allow Arcemio to walk for the first time in seven years. He also hopes that with the prosthesis, he will be able to work alongside his father in the fields and therefore to provide more for his family.

Kerry is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two brothers in Gonaives, a city on the west coast of Haiti. His father is a bus driver, and his mother works in the market. He is in the fourth grade and enjoys math and science. Kerry has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A blood vessel between the pulmonary artery and the aorta that normally closes soon after birth instead remains open. Blood flows through it, bypassing the lungs and depriving the body of the oxygen it needs. On October 6, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will tie off the blood vessel so that blood can no longer enter it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Kerry's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. He says, "I am excited to have this surgery so that I can play soccer without getting tired!"

“When I grow up, I would like to become a primary school teacher,” shares Ramadhani, a happy, hard-working, 13-year-old boy who lives with his grandparents in Tanzania. He loves going to school, where he is in class three and enjoys mathematics and science. Ramadhani was born with talipes equinovarus, a condition commonly known as congenital clubfoot. His right foot is twisted out of position due to short tendons in the foot and ankle, preventing him from stepping on the sole of his right foot as he walks. Even with his deformed right foot, Ramadhani likes to run and jump around with other children. Ramadhani’s parents are small-scale farmers who grow potatoes and cassava. They look after Ramadhani and his two younger siblings as well as their parents. For many years, they have not been able to get proper treatment for their son. It is through word of mouth that Ramadhani’s grandfather heard about The Plaster House and what it does and collected enough cash to transport Ramadhani to Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre for treatment. For $1,160, Ramadhani will undergo surgery to release the tendons in his foot and ankle. Doctors will then move his foot into the proper position and place it in a cast for up to two months. Funding also covers the costs of cast changes, braces, and a four-month stay at The Plaster House for recovery and rehabilitation after surgery. After receiving care, Ramadhani will be able to properly step on his right foot and wear shoes.

76-year-old Ruth is a mother of five from Tanzania. Her husband passed away and she currently lives with one of her children. She is a farmer in her small land, providing for her daily upkeep. Ruth began losing her hearing in 2014, but has not had any treatment yet. She was advised to get hearing aids for her case but is unable to raise the amount needed. Ruth recently had hip replacement surgery, which has further constrained her finances. She also has regular hospital visits for diabetes. For $712, we can provide Ruth with hearing aids, allowing her to interact with her children more fully. “I want to have improved hearing to be able to communicate well," Ruth shares.

This is Manfred, a grandfather from Malawi. He has six children and 21 grandchildren. Some of his family live nearby while others have moved away. Ever since October of last year, he has experienced painful urinary symptoms. Manfred suffers from benign prostatic hyperplasia. This condition leads to swelling of the prostate gland, partially blocking the urethra. The pain has limited his ability to operate the family farm and to build a house. Watsi's medical partner, World Altering Medicine, can provide Manfred with the surgical necessities, medications, and respite to resect a portion of the prostate. $742 in funding will cover all surgical expenses to remove excess tissue and treat prostate enlargement. After this surgery, Manfred will no longer need to worry about any prostrate-related pain. "Since I'm going to become well once the operation is done, I'm a happy person for that," Manfred said.

Dominic is a young man, who currently walks with the aid of a broken walking stick. Dominic is a father of one and relies on the little he earns from informal tutoring of pupils. Dominic is 25 years old, and comes from a poor family of a widowed mother and seven siblings. He was the main provider for his young family before he was involved in a car accident a few years ago, where he fractured his tibia. His wife is a casual laborer who washes clothes for people to earn a living. Dominic's first surgery was funded by well-wishers. He needed a second surgery but due to lack of funds, it has been delayed for over one year. Due to financial constraints, he has not been able to get medical crutches to aid in walking. Dominic needs help to have the surgery done and restore back his health. Dominic's current symptoms include pain and strain while walking. Since the accident, Dominic can no longer work at construction sites, which was his means to earn a living. If not treated, Dominic may continue experiencing pain on his leg and difficulties in walking. He may also suffer severe infection which could result in amputation. $1,410 will fund the surgery and casting he needs to get healthy, and regain the use of his leg. “I would like to be a providing father and supportive son to my widowed mum; it pains me to have to rely on my wife for everything,” said Dominic. Our medical partner adds: "We expect that after the surgery, Dominic will heal well and he will be able to walk on his own again. Eventually he will be able to work and support his family."

Meet Julio, a 55-year-old father of three from the Philippines. He's recently been diagnosed with a thyroid goiter, a condition where the thyroid gland swells abnormally. “Julio is having a visible anterior neck mass and experiencing difficulty in swallowing and lying on the right side,” explains our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “He cannot carry heavy objects because he observes [the goiter] getting bigger when he does and it causes him to have difficulty breathing.” “His work is hindered because of his condition and he can no longer provide for his family,” continues ICM. “His wife is a housewife and does not have an income, so they are having difficulty providing for their son’s education.” For $1,500, Julio will receive a thyroidectomy surgery to remove the neck mass. ICM expects that after treatment, he should be able to work with ease to provide for his family. “We are so happy and thankful for this opportunity," shares Julio's wife. "We have been praying for the provision and we consider this as an answered prayer."

23-year-old Savy, a factory worker from Cambodia, has had problems with ear infections since he was a child. "Savy began having bilateral pus ear discharge when he was six-years-old," reports our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). "On the right side, he eventually developed a cholesteatoma." A cholesteatoma is an abnormal skin growth in the middle ear behind the ear drum. This causes him recurrent discharge with a bad smell, hearing loss, pain, and a ringing in his ear. "I get discharge every day and this makes me unhappy," Savy tells us. "I cannot work anymore because it is painful." Savy works in a factory to support his wife and child, but since he has been unable to work he does not have the income to pay for his medical treatment. He traveled two hours to CSC for proper care, and needs $809 to fund his mastoidectomy procedure. During this operation, doctors will remove the infected skin cells and then drain his middle ear. After a couple weeks of healing, "Savy's ear discharge will stop and his hearing will improve." Savy is excited to have his operation so he can return home where he enjoys listening to the radio and playing football with his neighbors. "I hope my ear discharge stops and I have no pain after surgery," Savy shares.