Meet David, a 23-year-old from Kenya. David relies on casual labour to make ends meet. He takes up jobs such as digging pit latrines, tilling, or any other work that comes along. His family background is poverty-stricken. David shared that his father is an alcoholic and has sold most of the family properties including even cooking utensils. His mother separated from his father. David and his 6 siblings did not manage to go to school as their parents could not manage to raise school fees. David currently struggles to pass urine. Six years ago, David was started developing problems and his condition worsened in 2017. He was reviewed at Maua Hospital and referred to Watsi Partner Kijabe Hospital. Through national health insurance funding, he had first stage urethroplasty in 2018 and doctors advised him to return for follow up and second stage surgery. However, due to financial difficulties, he could not manage to come back to the hospital. In 2020, he returned after fundraising for transport and hospital appointment charges. He now requires surgery but is not able to raise the funds required and is still has difficulties due to his condition. David had to be supported with bus fare to travel to Kijabe, 6-hour journey from his village, and he appeals for financial assistance. David says, “My hope is to be treated fully. I want to marry but I feel any lady would not want to settle down with me in my current condition.”

Sitha has one son and one daughter, and enjoys exercising, reading the newspaper, and cooking for his family. Since 2018, Sitha started to experience pain in his right hip and cannot walk well without support. He is unable to work and make a living in order to help provide for his family. Sitha will undergo a resection arthroplasty of the hip, fusing the ball of his thigh bone with his hip socket. Surgery will relieve him of his pain, and allow him to sleep with comfort. He looks forward to returning to his family as soon as possible and said, "I hope that I will no longer have any pain in my hips, and can return to walking and working again."

Seu is a 68-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has eight children, ten grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio and making visits to the local pagoda. Three months ago, Seu developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Seu learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On January 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I hope that I will be able to see clearly and can take care of my grandchildren and help with the housework," Seu said.