Ratha is a 53-year-old father of two from the Kandal province of Cambodia. He is married and has one son and one daughter who are both in school. Ratha works in construction and his wife sells cakes. In his free time, he enjoys watching Cambodian boxing and spending time with his family. One year ago, Ratha developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him to tear and experience blurry vision. He has also had to cut his hours at work because of vision impairment. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on his own. When Ratha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On March 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and implant an intraocular lens in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Ratha says, "I hope after surgery I can see better and go back to work."

Kenn is a 26-year-old food handler from Philippines. He lives with his partner and has an income of $200 a month which is just enough to provide for their daily needs. In addition to his needed treatment, Kenn is worried because he already holds debts from a previous hospitalization. In March 2022, Kenn began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe stomachache, back pain, and vomiting. He was brought to the nearest hospital to receive urgent care. After a series of tests, he was diagnosed to have a gallstone. Unfortunately, he cannot afford his surgery and had it delayed. Consequently, his symptoms worsened as he experienced chest pain and yellow skin discoloration. He went back to his surgeon to be checked and was diagnosed with Chronic Calculous Cholecystitis. Kenn must undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder to heal. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put him at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Kenn is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 3rd. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the requesting $1,128 to cover the cost of Kenn's surgery and care. Kenn shared, "The treatment cost is very expensive and we can't afford it. Thankfully, Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines have good hearts and are willing to help me. I'm so grateful for their generosity. May the Lord continue to bless them."

Caroline is a 26 year old woman who lives in the Nairobi area with her husband and five year old son. Caroline is a casual laborer who washes clothes for her neighbors, while her husband is also a casual laborer at construction sites getting work whenever he can. Six years ago Caroline began to experience troubling symptoms, including a swelling of the neck, accompanied by regular headaches, increased heartbeat at times, and difficulty sleeping. The problem appeared to start with a small nodule in her neck, which increased in size during her pregnancy. She was ultimately diagnosed with an enlarged thyroid gland, which will need to be excised to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Luckily Caroline's friend, Teresia, who had a thyroidectomy supported by the Watsi community, brought Caroline to meet with doctors from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare. Now on February 28th Caroline will undergo a thyroidectomy at Nazareth Hospital, where surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $657, and Caroline and her family need your help to raise this money. If not treated, the goiter will continue to grow, causing more severe symptoms and potentially leading to thyrotoxicosis. “I thank my friend for bringing me to Nazareth. I also request for help so that I can be treated and get back my normal life. My family is just beginning, and I hope to be well to take care of my young family like other mothers,” said Caroline.

Nika is a 9-year-old 4th grader from Cambodia. She loves egg-fried rice and her favorite hobby is sleeping. Her favorite subject is Cambodian history, and she would like to become a teacher when she grows up. Five years ago, she fell while climbing rocks near her house, causing a fracture in her left pinky finger. Her finger never healed properly, and she is often unable to use her left hand for activities. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 22nd, Nika will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. Nika and her family need help raising the funds for this procedure that will help her improve the function of her left hand. After surgery, her family hopes that her hand will look like it did before the accident and that she will be able to use her left hand when playing.

Channa is a 6-year-old first-grader from Cambodia. She lives at home with her parents and two siblings. Her father is a construction worker, and her mom stays home to take care of the children. Channa loves to paint, eat fried eggs, and is enjoying learning to read. Since last year, Channa has been experiencing recurring sore throats, difficulty breathing, sneezing, and a persistent runny nose. The frequent illness causes her to miss school. Channa was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Channa, which is scheduled to take place on February 2nd. Surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Channa of her symptoms and helping her live much more comfortably. Her mom said, "I hope after surgery she can feel okay again."

Janet is a 23-year-old young lady from Uganda. She is currently a student in her final year pursuing a diploma in accounting. She is the youngest of three children. Her parents work as farmers and own a four-room mud house for shelter. Janet has had a right inguinal hernia for two years. After a year, she visited a nearby health unit and was given medication, but there was no improvement in her condition. Currently, she experiences on-and-off swelling, and it is very painful when it appears. This is common whenever she walks long distances, develops a cough, or needs to squat down. On March 22nd, Janet will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner African Mission Healthcare (AMH) is requesting $170 to fund Janet's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Janet says, “I believe my condition is abnormal and I am worried. I pray that I may have a successful surgery and be able to take on my studies comfortably.”

Laurecia is a 19-year-old tailor living in Tanzania. When she was about two years old, her parents noticed her legs bowing outwards. They did not seek treatment, however, due to financial challenges. Laurecia, who is a very determined young woman, was able to complete her Form 4 studies and pursue her passion for tailoring, enrolling in a vocational school where she could hone her skills. Laurecia was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, a condition typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, stemming from the consumption of contaminated drinking water. As a result of her condition, Laurecia has a difficult time walking and doing the work of a tailor. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Laurecia. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 17th, at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. Treatment will restore Laurecia's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Laurecia says: “I have lived with this condition for too long. I’m hopeful for the future now that I am about to start treatment.”

A cheerful grandmother from Kenya, Susan is blessed with eight children. One of her sons died while he was still young, and the others got married moved away. She is a widow, and lives with her grandson who goes to a nearby primary school. Susana's children, like her, did not go beyond the primary level of their education. She lives in a semi-arid area of the county where they plant millet and sorghum as their main socio-economic activity. The area is affected by insecurity issues and bandits have affected their way of doing things. She took a long time to come to seek medical attention since her home area was not safe at that time. Susana recently fell while carrying firewood and sustained an injury to her left humerus. Susana came into the hospital with her arm splinted in the company of her daughter hoping to find the help she needs to return her normal life. Susana had an X-ray that showed that she had a fracture of the proximal humerus. The splint was removed during the examination, as she had developed a cast sore that got infected. It was thoroughly cleaned and dressed, and she was discharged home with antibiotics. Currently, Susana cannot lift or move her hand due to pain. The fracture is more than a month old and so she needs a complex procedure in order to align her broken bone, allowing her to heal quickly. Her economic status is challenging and she cannot afford to pay for her procedure. She is appealing for help from all well-wishers reading her story. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 21st, Susana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The treatment will help Susana to do activities by herself. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Susana says, "It’s really hard to depend on people in activities such as bathing. I am so disturbed when I see my children leave their houses for my sake. Kindly help me so that I may be able to depend on myself and for them to be able to work and provide for their families.”

Srey Touch is a 33-year-old mom of six from Cambodia. She lives in a rural village with her daughter and five sons. Outside of working as a full-time cleaner, she enjoys spending time with her kids and cooking. Fourteen years ago, Srey Touch had an ear infection that caused the eardrum in her left ear to perforate, leading to pain and hearing loss. She has trouble communicating and experiences discomfort from ear pain. Srey Touch traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), to receive treatment. On March 7th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her left ear during which surgeons will close the perforation. CSC is requesting $487 to fund this procedure. This amount will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care. Srey Touch said, "I would like to be able to communicate with my children more easily."

Jacinta is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya. She is a single mother whose only child recently completed college. Jacinta runs a small retail shop from their home in a rural town, supporting herself, her son, and her elderly mother. In December 2020, Jacinta was accidentally cut on her left leg by an iron sheet. As the wound was small, she opted to treat it with home remedies, but without success. Because the wound worsened, in December 2022, Jacinta visited a local dispensary where they dressed the wound. When there was no noticeable improvement after a month, she decided to go to the hospital to be evaluated. In January 2023, Jacinta underwent two operations. However, the doctors realized that one of the procedures had failed as there was damage to the veins in her leg. Jacinta now finds it difficult to walk. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jacinta receive treatment. On May 8th, surgeons at AIC Kijabe Hospital will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help heal her chronic wound and prevent her leg from needing to be amputated. Now, Jacinta needs your help to fund this $1,185 procedure. Jacinta says: “This wound is getting worse. It is affecting my walking. I have not been able to open my shop because of it. I hope to get treatment so that I am able to also take care of my elderly mother who depends on me.”

Oudam is a 35-year-old father of three from Cambodia. He is from Kampong Cham province, where he works as a construction worker alongside his wife. Together they have three sons, all young students. He enjoys spending time playing sports with his kids and checking news and updates from friends on Facebook. Around fourteen years ago, Oudam had an ear infection that caused abnormal skin growth to develop in his ear. For this reason, Oudam experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. It is difficult for him to hear and communicate with colleagues and his family. Oudam traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On March 8th, he will undergo a procedure in his left ear to remove the abnormal skin growth. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $926 to fund this procedure and covers Oudam's medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He hopes that he can feel healthy and improve his hearing with surgery.

Gerald, a 36-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda, is married with three children. Gerald and his wife make their living through farming. For the past three months, Gerald has been suffering from a right abdominal hernia. This hernia causes him pain when farming and swelling when he does heavy work. He is no longer able to work for long periods at a time, a direct impact on his livelihood, which has prompted him to seek medical attention. Gerald sought medical attention at Rushoroza Hospital from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Gerald's doctors recommended a hernia repair surgery. Fortunately, on February 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. AMH is requesting $170 to fund Gerald's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Gerald says, “I am in pain, and I need help. I hope that my productivity through farming will increase after surgery.”