Elenita is a 60-year-old woman from Philippines. She previously worked as a Registered Midwife but lost her job during the pandemic's peak. She's now reliant on her four children for her daily basic needs. In January, Elenita began to experience troubling symptoms, including lower back pain that's radiating down to her lower extremities. She sought a medical checkup and was told to have an ultrasound and CT scan. The tests revealed that she was suffering from gallstones. These are small stones that are usually made of cholesterol that causes inflammation of the gallbladder. Elenita has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, her 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), Elenita is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on February 17th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Elenita's surgery and care. Elenita shared, "Thank you, WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines! You are such a blessing and I will never forget how you save my life. If in the future you will need my service as a midwife, I'm more than willing to help out."

Hean is an 80-year-old grandmother from Kompong Cham province. Now retired, she worked for many decades as a rice farmer. She has two daughters, one son, and ten grandchildren. Since her husband passed away two years ago, she moved in with her youngest daughter, who is also a rice farmer. In her free time, Hean likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and help care for her grandchildren. One year ago, Hean developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, thus is unable to travel on her own. When Hean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On March 8th, doctors will perform surgery on Hean's right eye. Hean needs help to fund this $253 procedure. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Hean says, "I hope after surgery I can take good care of my grandchildren."

Him is a 49-year-old car washer from Cambodia. He lives in Kampong Cham with his wife and two sons, who are two and five years old. He enjoys listening to Cambodian music from the 50s and 60s in his free time. In April 2022, Him was riding his motorbike when he crashed into a tuk-tuk and fractured his right tibia. At that time, he sought treatment from a traditional healer, but the fracture wasn't healing, so he went to a clinic two weeks later. Him underwent surgery, but he is still unable to walk without crutches. He has since visited another nearby clinic, but since he could not afford to pay for any treatment, they were unable to assist him. Him is experiencing chronic pain and is unable to walk or work. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On May 23, Him will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $483. This procedure will help him improve his mobility and decrease his pain. He shared: "After surgery, I hope I can walk again and help support my family."