Sori Yanny is sixteen years old and in the eleventh grade. He has three sisters and one brother. He likes to play badminton and soccer and to listen to music. In June, Sori Yanny was in a motorbike accident, which caused a fracture in his right humerus and forearm. He visited a Khmer traditional healer for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. Sori Yanny could not extend his wrist, making it difficult for him to hold objects. When Sori Yanny learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours to seek treatment. On November 23, CSC surgeons performed a tendon transfer procedure. After recovery, Sory Yanny will be able to use his right arm again. Now, his family needs help to fund this $450 procedure.

Kelly lives with her parents and four siblings in a bamboo house with a metal roof. Kelly's father works as a vendor, but he has difficulty providing for the family. Without proper nutrition, Kelly weighs less than other children her age. Kelly has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. She began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 21. She is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. "We hope that she will recover from malnutrition and become strong and healthy," say Kelly's parents, "so that she can finish her studies."

Tumusiime is a 25-year-old driver from Uganda. He is married, and the father of a five-month-old boy. He is a driver, but the salary is not enough for his family needs. He is would like to buy a bigger piece of land and to build a decent house. A year ago, Tumusiime developed a painful swelling in his right inguinal region. Due to the pain, he is unable to lift heavy items or dig. Tumusiime visited a hospital where he was diagnosed with hernia, given medicine and advised to go back for surgery. However, he didn’t go back because he couldn’t afford to pay for his treatment. If left untreated, Tumusiime may suffer many complications. For $249, Tumusiime will undergo the hernia repair surgery he needs. After surgery, Tumusiime hopes to continue working as a driver and take on additional so he can save money and be self-reliant. “After surgery I hope to continue working as a driver,” Tumusiime shared.

Tollors is a 40-year-old farmer living in Cambodia with his two sons and two daughters. He spends his time fishing, listening to the news, and finding more work to support his children. In June 2016, Tollors dislocated his left elbow in a motor vehicle accident. He has had persistent pain and has been unable to bend his left elbow. He and his family sought traditional Khmer medication to help his symptoms, but it has not been effective. Tollors and his wife traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for further evaluation. His doctors recommended he have a joint stabilization procedure, inserting a pin to stabilize the elbow joint. They tell us that $450 will cover Tollors's cost of the procedure, supplies, medications, and four days of inpatient care. Following his procedure and recovery, Tollors will have better mobility of his left elbow, and his pain will resolve. "I hope my husband can use his elbow normally again and not be in pain after his operation," Tollors's wife shares.

46-year-old Dao lives in Cambodia with her husband and their five sons. She is a farmer and enjoys watching TV and cooking in her spare time. In 2009, Dao was in a bad motor accident which caused fractures and trauma injuries through her left leg, ankle, and foot. She traveled seven hours for medical assistance to Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), with her son. She has been receiving surgical care at CSC since 2009. She has recently returned for a quadricepsplasty surgery, which will release the contracted thigh muscle of her left leg as well as remove of a pin from her knee. The quadricepsplasty surgery, which costs $378, will make it easier for Dao to flex her leg and walk.

Sem is an 83-year-old grandfather living in Cambodia with his wife, four sons, three daughters, and ten grandchildren. He enjoys reading books and listening to monks pray. Four months ago, Sem developed a cataract in each eye, causing blindness, tearing and pain. He has been unable to work outside safely or independently, which prevents him from leaving the house. He and his son visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. Sem's doctors recommended a small incision cataract surgery (SCIS) and an intraocular lens implant (IOL) in each eye, which will replace his internal lenses with artificial lenses, and restore his vision to full clarity. In total, the procedure, supplies, drugs, and three days of inpatient care will cost $225. After full recovery, Sem will have regained clear vision, and be able to do his work independently. He will also be able to read his books again.

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.

“Akanyijuka is very grateful for any help you can give him and looks forward to getting well and helping others as you have helped him,” shares our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation (KF). Akanyijuka is a 27-year-old man from Uganda. KF tells us, “Akanyijuka and his sister were orphaned at a very young age and have been on their own since then. Because they were orphaned, they were unable to afford school fees to obtain an education. Akanyijuka has been supporting his sister as a laborer but has been unable to work for a while.” Akanyijuka was sidelined by a hernia—a condition in which an organ or fatty tissue squeezes through a weak spot in a surrounding muscle or connective tissue. Untreated for a long period of time, Akanyijuka’s hernia led to a blockage in his intestine. This blockage prevents the passage of fluid or digested food through his intestine, causing severe bloating, abdominal pain, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. After living with the blockage for a period of time, Akanyijuka has become severely malnourished. KF explains, “Akanyijuka has been unable to absorb nutrients properly and is unable to work.” With $227 in funding, Akanyijuka will receive surgery to repair the tear in his tissue, thus treating his hernia. The funding will cover surgery, medication, and Akanyijuka’s 14-day hospital stay. Following surgery, Akanyijuka will be able to return to work and continue to support himself and his sister.

Mu is a resilient 42-year-old woman who escaped Burma amidst political conflict 10 years ago, and has been living in a refugee camp in Thailand ever since. Mu takes care of her sister, niece, and nephew, and she used to work as a day laborer with her husband to earn an income to support their family. However, she was diagnosed with a uterine myoma, and she experiences severe abdominal pain that prevents her from working. Mu’s family does not have enough money to support themselves and Mu’s care. She tells us, “it is a very big problem. I cannot take care of my niece and nephew, and I cannot work to provide for my family. I want to be able to cook and clean for my family, and I want to be able to return to work as soon as possible.” For $1500, Mu will undergo surgery under the Burma Border Projects’ care. Surgery will remove the tumor and eliminate the abdominal pain and discomfort so that Mu can return to work and supporting her family. Let's help make it happen!

This is Dharma. Dharma is a 22-year-old farmer in Nepal. She tends a small field with her in-laws to support herself and her husband. Dharma recently fell from a tree while collecting fodder for cattle, which knocked her unconscious, gave her a cut on her face, and fractured her pelvis. Dharma has not been able to walk since the fall and is in a great deal of pain. Unfortunately, the pelvic fracture that Dharma has requires surgery. If the fracture is not repaired, she may have lifelong disability and difficulty standing, walking and working. For $1,040, Dharma will receive surgery to repair her pelvis fracture. Dharma hopes the surgery will get her back on her feet so she can start a family with her husband. Let's help Dharma get the care she needs!

Ma Aye is a 57-year-old grandmother who lives in a small village in Burma. She has seven adult children and three grandchildren. Her husband passed away ten years ago, so she now lives with her daughter and son-in-law. The family grows rice and livestock on their farm, which provides enough food to eat, but brings in very little money for other necessities. Recently, Ma Aye was diagnosed with a large, painful mass in her uterus. The growth is pressing on her bladder, causing intense discomfort and sapping her energy. The situation has become so bad that Ma Aye is having difficulty completing her daily tasks. Ma Aye says she "wants to see her grandchildren grow and help take care of them." For $880, we can remove this mass via a hysterectomy and improve Ma Aye's quality of life. This surgery will enable Ma Aye to get back to living a productive and full life.

Bhupsundar is an 11-year-old boy from Nepal who fractured his wrist when he fell from a tree he was climbing. He needs surgery to repair his wrist, which is currently painful, swollen, and limiting his mobility. Bhupsundar loves to climb trees, study Nepali in school (where his father is a teacher), and play volleyball. Bhupsundar aspires to be a doctor one day. This surgery will cost $985, and will allow Bhupsundar to engage in his favorite activities once again.