James is a 14-year-old boy and the second-born in a family of five children. James is a hard-working boy who helps to look after his father’s cattle, requiring him to walk a long distance in search of green pasture. James has not had a chance to join school due to his parent’s financial challenges. His parents are small-scale farmers and livestock keepers. They work hard to make ends meet, and are living in a very difficult environment. James was diagnosed with left genu varus, also known as bowleggedness. This condition causes his left leg to bow inwards so that his knees touch when walking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. James is having difficulty walking because his left leg curves as we walks, affecting his gait. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for James. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. This treatment will hopefully restore James's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. James shared, "Please help correct my leg because I can’t walk well anymore and am even unable to go out and graze my father’s cattle. I appreciate any support you can provide.”

Vann is a father to a 6-year-old daughter who is in second grade. Following his divorce a few years ago, he and his daughterlive together with his mother. In Vann's free time, he feeds farm animals (mostly chickens and pigs), watches TV, and takes his daughter outside for walks. Vann recently fractured his left femur and left tibia. He went to the government hospital and had an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) with nails to stabilize the fracture. He stayed for three days in hospital then returned home. But, after one month he could still only walk a little bit and had a lot of pain. Now he traveled to Watsi's Medical Partner CSC in need of care. Doctors there will do a bone graft on his left tibia and a tendon achilles lengthening cast for him so that he can walk again. Vann is hopeful that after this treatment he will be able to walk easily and find a job to support his family.

Somaly is a grocery seller from Cambodia. She is married and has one son who is in 6th grade. Somaly sells goods from her house in Phnom Penh and her husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. She enjoys watching Khmer dramas on TV. Life has become more difficult since five years ago when Somaly developed a pterygium in her right eye, causing her itching, tearing, and discomfort. 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 friends, working, and going places on her own. When Somaly learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour by tuk tuk with her sister seeking treatment. Somaly 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 $216. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. The procedure is scheduled for November 19th. Somaly said, "I hope my eye heals so I can help my husband earn money to support our family."