Joemer is a hard-working street vendor from Philippines. He is the breadwinner in the family. He earns money by cooking and selling local delicacies and his earning of $4 daily is just enough to bring food to the table. In January 2020, Joemer began to experience troubling symptoms. He sought medical consultation and was told to undergo an ultrasound. The test showed that he has a 1.2cm gallstone. Due to the financial crisis, he decided to delay his treatment and opted to take pain relievers instead. His pain intensifies forcing him to be checked again by a surgeon. Joemer has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Joemer is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on March 7th. 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 Joemer's surgery and care. Joemer shared, "I'm truly grateful to WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for being one of your beneficiaries. Your hearts are so kind for helping out people like me who are sick but not capable of paying for our needed surgery."

Savuth is a 70-year-old rice and potato farmer from Tboung Khmom province in rural Cambodia. He lives with his wife and his grandson, who help him on the farm. He hopes that his grandson will take over the farm soon. When not working on his farm, he likes to listen to old music from when he was younger. Last April, he was accidentally cut with a knife that fell on the top of his left foot. He went to a local hospital for a laceration repair, but he has difficulty lifting the top part of his foot. The front of his foot drags on the ground when he walks, which is a sign of an underlying muscular or anatomical problem. He shared that he feels embarrassed that he cannot walk well and has difficulty when he is outside on his farm. Fortunately, the referral hospital told him to go to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, where plastic surgeons specialize in this kind of care. Savuth traveled three hours for a diagnosis, and surgeons will perform a tendon repair on his foot on December 13th. He now needs help to pay for the $572 procedure, which will cover hospitalization, surgery, medicines, and post-operative rehabilitation. When his ankle has healed, he will have an improved gait and can return to full activity. Savuth said: "I hope I can walk better and not have any pain after this operation."

Liza is a happy eight-year-old girl, living in Kandal province, Cambodia. She has two older siblings - an older sister who works in a factory, and an older brother who is in grade seven. Her father recycles cans and plastic bottles, while her mother stays home to care for her. Liza was born with Down syndrome and she does not attend school, but spends her day enjoying cartoons on TV and helping her mother around the house. For the past five years, Liza has been experiencing frequent throat infections, and difficulty swallowing. She has a harder time breathing at night and does not sleep well, so she is often tired during the day. Her mother says she often cries because her throat hurts so much. Liza was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and to intensify over time. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $265 to fund a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy for Liza, which is scheduled to take place on January 23rd at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. During this procedure, surgeons will remove her tonsils and adenoids, hopefully relieving Liza of her symptoms, and helping her to live a healthier and more comfortable life. Liza's mother shared: "We hope after surgery Liza will stop having sore throats, and it will be easy for her to swallow."