Samwel is a five-month-old baby from Gilalumpa, Tanzania. He is the youngest child in his family, born into a polygamous family of two wives and eleven children. The family relies on livestock-keeping as their primary livelihood but lack the means to generate sufficient income to cover expenses. They reside in a communal boma or community enclosure consisting of seven small mud huts, each hut divided into two rooms, which accommodate their entire family. Samwel’s mother, Namag, gave birth to him at home, and while the delivery went smoothly, Samwel developed some health issues a few days later. Observing an abnormality in Samwel’s left foot, the family initially took no action as they had no understanding of the condition. When a concerned neighbor noticed his foot, the family sought medical treatment. However, due to their financial situation, the family was unable to afford the necessary care. Fortunately, doctors offering mobile clinic services set up camp near the family's home. Samwel’s parents managed to attend the clinic, where the doctors recommended assistance from Fly Medical Services (FMS) for transportation to Arusha where treatment would be available. Samwel has congenital clubfoot of left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position as the tissues connecting the muscles to the bone (tendons) are shorter than usual. Clubfoot causes difficulty walking and wearing shoes. Samwel's family was able to travel to visit our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House NGO. There, the team will begin clubfoot treatment on September 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $935 to fund Samwel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, Samwel’s quality of life will significantly improve as he grows. The treatment will enable him to walk comfortably, wear shoes, and alleviate any concerns his parents may have about his condition and his future. Samwel’s mother says: “I would like my son to be well. I want him to enjoy long walks with his brother when he grows up.”

Nit is a 58-year-old construction worker from Phnom Penh. He has one daughter, four sons, and eight grandchildren. All of his children are also construction workers, and Nit's wife looks after the grandchildren. About six months ago, Nit developed a cataract in his left eye, causing itchiness, tearing, and blurry vision. As a result of his impaired vision, Nit has been unable to work and is worried about supporting his family. He experiences difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is nervous about falling when walking. He is currently unable to go places on his own. When Nit learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On June 1st, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye to repair his vision. After recovery, Nit will be able to see clearly again. Now, Nit needs your help to fund his $253 procedure. He shared, "I hope I can go back to work and support my family."

Eduardo is a 55-year-old father from Philippines. He works as a tricycle driver and as an on-call painter to provide for his family. Despite his diligent efforts, his income is barely sufficient to meet their basic needs. In 2022, Eduardo began to experience troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain, shortness of breath, restlessness, and weight loss. Unable to tolerate his pain and discomforts, he sought a medical consultation. After an examination and laboratory tests, it was determined that he was suffering from chronic calculous cholecystitis, which is a condition characterized by inflammation of the gallbladder due to the presence of gallstones. Eduardo has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. 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), Eduardo is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on August 12th. 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 Eduardo's surgery and care. Eduardo shared how grateful he is to be one of the beneficiaries. He said, "This free surgery is a big help for me. I'll be eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for their generosity."