Happiness is a 15-year-old girl who lives with her widowed mother - a small scale farmer - and six siblings. She is in class six at school. Happiness has many academic strengths, and she is always among the top ten students in her class, where her best subjects are Swahili, mathematics, social studies and history. She hopes to learn English someday, and she would like to be a teacher when she completes her studies. Her father used to sell cattle for a living, but he passed away when she was six years old. Happiness was diagnosed with right genu varus, which causes her right leg to bow outward at the knee. This condition is often caused by contaminated drinking water. Initially, both of her legs were affected, but before her father died, he was able to find treatment for Happiness' left leg. Her right leg is now severely impacted, making walking painful. And, because she is self-conscious of her leg, Happiness always wears long dresses to keep it covered. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Happiness. The procedure is scheduled to take place on May 10th. Treatment should restore Happiness's mobility, alleviate her discomfort, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Happiness says “Walking is hard and painful for me. I would like to have normal legs so that I can walk well."

Leang is a 72-year-old retired rice farmer. She and her husband have two sons and four grandchildren. Now that they are retired, Leang and her husband live with their eldest son, who works as a tailor. Leang helps take care of her grandchildren, and she likes to listen to the monks pray and visit the community pagoda in her free time. One year ago, Leang developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, blurry vision, and tearing. As a result, she has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she cannot go places independently. When Leang learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 13th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund this procedure. Lean shared, "After surgery, I hope I can see clearly. I want to go outside again without problems and see my family's faces."

Nary is a 68-year-old loving grandmother. Because Nary's husband passed away many years ago, she now lives with her youngest daughter, who works at a grocery store. Nary has two daughters, four sons and 13 grandchildren. She likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and enjoys reading Buddhist books. Three years ago, Nary developed a cataract in her left eye, which causes tearing and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is unable to go places on her own. Nary traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to seek help. On May 10th doctors will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in her left eye. After recovery, Nary will be able to see clearly again, enabling her to go out and about independently. Now, she is raising $253 to fund her procedure. Nary shared: "I hope I can see clearly again so I can help my daughter do housework and read my books."

Meet Emmanuel, a 9-year-old boy, living with his mother and four siblings in a small town in rural Kenya. Emmanuel's mother is a single parent, who works daily jobs like helping with laundry in an effort to support her children. Despite her hard work, the family's neighbors step in at times to make certain the children are fed, as Emmanuel's mother shared that she doesn't always have enough money for food. On Saturday evening, Emmanuel was brought to Kapsowar Hospital, after being hit by a speeding car. An X-ray confirmed that Emmanuel's left femur was fractured. He was admitted to the children's ward, and his leg was placed in traction until he can undergo surgery to repair the fracture. In the meantime, Emmanuel is in pain, and he cannot use his left leg. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On June 7th, Emmanuel will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation, at AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is seeking $1,145 to fund Emmanuel's surgery, which will enable him to walk easily again, and to resume the life of enjoying being a 9 year old. Emmanuel's mother says: “I am going through so many struggles. I have a one-year-old baby at home. I am unable to take care of her as I am at the hospital. My hope is to see Emmanuel treated so that I can take care of him at home with his siblings.”

Phearum is an energetic 5-year-old girl. She is not yet in school and has a six-year-old sister in first grade who she likes to keep up with! Her parents are seasonal farmers and have several cows. She enjoys playing with toys, watching TV, and going to the market with her mother. She shared that her favorite meal is Khmer noodles and milk. In 2021, Phearum was burned on her left hand by a cooking fire. Her mother took her to a local provincial hospital for medical treatment. After the wound healed, the skin tightened around the burn site, and she was left with contractures on her left wrist and a deformity of her finger. The scars are itchy and keep her from being able to do all she used to. She is starting to feel self-conscious of the look of her hand too. A local hospital referred her to our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for help. There surgeons recommend a Z-plasty procedure to improve the functional and cosmetic appearance of her scars. On May 9th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her to grasp objects and use her finger again. Now, her family needs help to fund this $495 procedure. Phearum's mother said: "I am hoping my daughter can have her burn scars fixed, and she can use her hand well again."

Christine is a 36-year-old mom who is expecting a new baby. Christine met her husband and got married at the tender age of 17 years. Since then, she has been blessed with her children. Christine is a farmer and her husband is a builder. He gets work whenever he can, but it is not consistent enough to support their family and meet medical needs. Our medical partner shared that without national health insurance programs in Uganda, medical care can be difficult especially for low-income families like Christine's. Her doctors have recommended a c-section delivery as she is at risk of uterine rupture, which could be fatal. Christine appeals for help to pay for her surgery and shared, “I will be able to resume farming once given your support to deliver successfully. I hope to deliver a live baby and in good health afterwards.”

Teriki is a 74-year-old woman with three children. She is proud that all have grown up healthy and have children of their own now. Teriki’s husband passed away many years ago, and she lives with her grandchildren. Teriki’s children farm a small piece of land and take on labor jobs to help provide for their families. Alongside farming maize and vegetables, Teriki also helps on peoples’ farms to support her grandchildren in school and provide basic needs for herself. Teriki was recently in an accident when she had to separate some animals who were fighting on the farm. Now she has swelling and bruises, and her leg is broken. Teriki is experiencing severe pain and must use a wheelchair to move around, which has been challenging for her to do. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Teriki heal. On May 18th, Teriki will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Teriki will be able to walk easily again. AMH is requesting $1,145 to fund her medical treatment. Teriki says, “I really feel sorry right now. I have been depending on myself, yet now I cannot walk by myself. Please help me get back on my feet so that we do not suffer more for my grandchildren.”

Ferdinand is a 6-year-old child and the second-born child in a family of three children. He and his siblings are being raised by their single mother. When Ferdinand was one year old, he was accidentally burned with hot tea which resulted in contracture of all his left foot toes. He now has pain when he wears closed shoes and walking is a challenge for him. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Ferdinand receive treatment. On March 15th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery so he will be able to wear shoes and walk well. Now, Ferdinand's family needs help to fund this $639 procedure. Ferdinand’s mother shared, “Getting enough money to care and support my children is hard, especially for this special care that Ferdinand needs.”

Zion is an adorable four-month-old baby boy from the Philippines. Despite being so young, Zion loves interacting with people and already responds when his name is called. Zion's mother is a full-time mom, while his father is a contract-of-service worker. Zion's father's income helps to sustain their family's daily needs. In March, Zion's family brought him to the hospital as he has skin tags on his body and they were concerned for his future health and development. This condition can be severe, especially at his age as it may cause discomfort that leads to itching, wounds, and infections. On May 4th, Zion is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is helping Zion's parents raise $1,196 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. After recovery, Zion will no longer have multiple skin tags or be at risk of developing related health complications in the future. "Once this surgery is done, we don't have to worry about his condition, and we can focus on taking care of Zion," his father shared. "Thank you so much World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi for your help. May you help other people in need like us," he added.

Phin is a 53-year-old woman. She and her husband work as rice farmers, and they have one daughter, three sons, and three grandchildren. In her free time, Phin likes to visit her relatives in the village and listen to music on the radio. Three years ago, Phin developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her burning, tearing, and poor vision. As a result, Phin has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Phin learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled across the country for eight and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 2nd, Phin will undergo a procedure to heal her condition and prevent a recurrence. CSC is requesting $225 to fund her surgery, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Phin shared, "After surgery, I hope my eyes stop burning and I feel comfortable. I want to return to the rice field to help my husband."

Thany is a four-year-old boy with one older sister. Thany's parents are rubber merchants. At home Thany enjoys playing football with his neighbors. In 2019, Thany had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane (the ear drum) in his right ear ear to perforate. Due to this, Thany experiences hearing loss, ear discharge and pain. He cannot hear his parents well and has difficulty communication with others. Thany's family traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On April 25th, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his right 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 medications, supplies, and inpatient care. His parents hope that Thany's ear will improve and the pain he has will finally go away.