Deniss, who is six months old, is the firstborn child in his family. He and his parents- who are farmers- live in a house without water or electricity in Malawi. Deniss was healthy at birth. However, when he was about one month old, his parents noted that he had a swollen scrotum. They visited Bua, the nearest hospital, and were referred to Nkhotakota district hospital in Malawi for further assistance. At Nkhotakota, Deniss was assessed and diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia. Deniss' parents were told that he was too young for surgery and they brought him home. Because of ongoing swelling at the hernia site, however, Deniss and his parents have had to make multiple visits to the hospital, taking time away from Deniss' parents' time to work and negatively impacting their income. On May 2nd, Deniss will undergo hernia repair surgery at Partners in Hope Medical Center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, and Deniss' parents are looking to you to help raise $575 to fund Deniss' treatment and care. Deniss' parents are looking forward to being able to return to work and seeing smiles on Deniss' face. Deniss' mother joyfully said: “I can’t wait to see my son well again; thank you sponsors for considering my child Deniss.”

Allen is a 53-year-old mother of nine. She lost her husband in 2015. Upon his passing, she received a small plot of land and managed to create a three-room mud house in order to shelter her family. While Allen did not attend school as a child, she can read and write her name. She became a small-scale farmer to provide for her family. Her children range in age from 11 years old to 35. Since 2020, Allen has been experiencing swollen knees, with consistent pain radiating toward her lower abdomen. More recently, her lower abdominal pains became persistent. She decided to visit a nearby healthcare provider, where she was informed that was developing uterine complications. She was sent home with medicine that did not help her pain at all. She resorted to using herbs but those did not help either, she shared. She often becomes very weak while walking, and can only walk slowly for short distances. She can no longer sleep comfortably and has had to stop farming due to the pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), diagnosed Allen with Chronic Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. On April 14th, she will undergo surgery at AMH's care center. Once recovered, Allen can resume her daily activities free of pain. AMH is requesting $319 to fund the procedure. Allen says, “I have hope of living a normal and comfortable life once again through surgery. I want to continue with farming after my recovery.”

Mercy is a two-month-old baby who is the only child of two loving parents. Mercy's mother stays at home with her, while her father is a small-scale farmer and cattle breeder. Mercy has clubfoot on her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Mercy traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, where surgeons will perform her clubfoot repair surgery on March 17th. Now African Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting $935 to fund Mercy's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and live a life free from mobility constraints. Mercy’s mother says, “I hope that our daughter’s future will not be affected by the condition she is born with.”

Liza is a 4-year old girl who loves playing with her brother and eating fried eggs with rice. Her dad is a fisherman, and mother cares for her and her 1-year old brother at home. When she was an infant, Liza had an ear infection which caused a cholesteatoma - abnormal skin growth - to develop in the middle ear behind her ear drum. This has caused Liza to experience difficulty hearing and subsequently a speech delay. Liza's family traveled to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, to receive treatment. On March 6th, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her both ears, during which ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Children's Surgical Centre is requesting $926 to fund this procedure. This support will cover medications, supplies, and inpatient care for Liza. Liza's parents are constantly worried about her, and they hope that this treatment will allow her to communicate and hear when she starts school next year.

Rachany is an only child and lives with her mother who supports them by working in a garment factory. Rachany enjoys school and playing with her friends; her favorite subject is math; and she would like to be a police officer. Rachany's favorite meal is "lok lak", a famous Cambodian dish with stir-fried beef, fried egg, rice, and black pepper sauce. On January 21st, Rachany was cutting a mango at home when she accidentally cut her left index finger. She did not seek treatment at the time, but now, several weeks later, she is concerned that she cannot flex her index finger. Rachany has damaged the tendon and needs surgery to restore mobility in her finger. She traveled 40 minutes to visit our medical partner Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) to receive treatment. On February 20th, she will undergo tendon repair surgery to restore full function to her finger. Rachany's family has contributed $100, and CSC is requesting an additional $572 to fully fund this procedure. Rachany shared that she hopes she can fix her finger and go back to school after the operation.

Benedister is a 45-year-old single mother and small-scale farmer from Kenya. She plants maize and millet for her family's consumption and for sale. Benedister has seven children between 11 and 23 years old. When she is done with her farm work, Benedister always looks for casual jobs in order to earn extra wages. She is very hardworking, as she is her family’s sole breadwinner. One day, while walking around her compound, Benedister fell and injured her right lower limb. She was unable to walk, so she was carried by some of her relatives to the hospital. Her pain was so intense that she was given some pain medication, then sent for an x-ray. The x-ray revealed that she had a bimalleolar fracture with a joint dislocation, which means that in addition to a bone being broken, the ligaments on the inside of her ankle were injured as well. She was treated, and then her ankle was immobilized with a bulky jones splint. She is not able to walk on her own and is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 7th, Benedister will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Afterward, she will be able to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,145 to fund this procedure. Benedister says, “It’s really sad that I cannot walk without support. My children look up to me for all their needs and here I am now with a broken leg and cannot offer any help to them. Please help me get my bones fixed so that I will be able to work and live normally as before.”

Da is a 64-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives alone and she is retired. Her daughter, who works as a day laborer, supports her with basic living cost and takes care of her when she is sick. On January 5th, after Da finished taking a shower, she tried to pick her shirt from the bathroom floor and she suddenly slipped. She fell down on the floor and broke her left femour bone. Currently, she experiences pain in her left thigh. She can’t move her left leg and can’t even sit down. She can only slightly move her toes. There is no external wound but the swelling has gotten worse, which is a concern for her. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Da will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for January 9th and will cost $1,500. This procedure will free Da from her pain, and help her walk and look after herself again. Da said, "I was capable of doing my household activities before the accident. After that, I wasn’t even able to sit properly. I had to lie down all the time because my thigh is so painful. My daughter can't go to work because she has to take care of me." She also added, "After the treatment, I want to take care of myself without anyone’s help. I don’t want anyone to get busy because of me.”

Oul is a 56-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He lives with his wife and daughter, who is a student. Oul shared that he enjoys watching the news on his mobile phone during his free time. About five months ago, Oul developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him irritation, blurry vision, and photophobia. Oul has had to stop working because he can no longer see to drive the trucks, which has created financial difficulties for his small family. Currently, he has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so he cannot go places on his own. When Oul learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 13th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his left eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to help fund this procedure. Oul said: "I hope after this operation, I will able to continue my work well and go outside."

Panha is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia who is studying in the 9th grade. He has an older and younger brother. His father works as a rice farmer, and his mother sells fish at the market. When Panha was a year old, he experienced burns on his legs from a cooking fire accident. Burn scan contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the burns, especially on his right foot. As a result, it is difficult for Panha to wear shoes and walk, his legs feel itchy, and he is shy around his peers at school. When Panha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment for him. On November 17th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him walk easily again. CSC is requesting $495 procedure to fund this procedure. Panha's family was able to gather $100 to contribute to his care. Panha shared: "I hope I feel comfortable about my legs and can walk easily after this surgery."

Marvens is a toddler who lives with his parents and his older sister. His parents are looking forward to starting him in preschool as soon as he recovers from his surgery. Marvens has a cardiac condition called partial anomalous pulmonary vein return (PAPVR). One of the major veins in Marvens' chest connects to his heart in a location that is not anatomically normal. As a result, blood cannot flow normally through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. On March 1st, Marvens will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will detach the vein from his heart and reattach it at the anatomically correct position. Marvens' family needs help to fund the costs of surgery, and the prep and follow-up care required. Marvens family and our medical partner have been able to raise some of the support needed, but still are in need of $1,500 and have turned to the Watsi community for support. Marvens' mother says: "Our family is very happy to have this chance, and will be praying for everyone who is helping us!"

Soeun is a 62-year-old married farm worker, living in Cambodia. Together, he and his wife have two sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren. Soeun and his wife both work on a corn plantation in a small, remote province in northwest Cambodia. One year ago, Soeun developed a cataract in his left eye, causing him to experience light sensitivity, tearing, and blurry vision. As his vision has deteriorated, it has become increasingly difficult for Soeun to work outdoors, as he is unable to see clearly. When Soeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for eight and a half hours to seek treatment. On October 18th, doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform cataract surgery, and implant an intraocular lens in his left eye. After he has recovered, Soeun should be able to see clearly, and to feel more secure about working outdoors. Now, he needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Soeun shared: "I hope after surgery I can see better and go back to work, so I can earn money for my living and support my family."

Perlisa is a 34-year-old, full-time mother of two sons and one daughter, living in the Philippines. Her partner is a construction worker, with only limited earnings to support the family. In 2020, Perlisa began to experience a broad constellation of symptoms, ranging from weight loss and extreme fatigue, to chest pain and shortness of breath, a bloated stomach and back pain. After undergoing an ultrasound, it was determined that Perlisa had a gallstone which needed to be surgically removed. Because of a lack of funds, Perlisa delayed her surgery, missed appointments with her doctors, and relied on medications to ease her symptoms. Ultimately, Perlisa found her way to our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and they will be able help Perlisa access the care that she needs. On September 10th, Perlisa will undergo surgery to have her gallbladder removed at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Without this procedure, Perlisa's symptoms could worsen, and she would be at risk for more health complications in the future. While a portion of the cost of Perlisa's procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, World Surgical Foundation Philippines is looking to raise the remaining $826 needed to cover the costs of Perlisa's surgery and care. "Ive been praying for so long to be treated for my illness. We're financially incapable to pay for my medical bills. This surgery is an answered prayer." Perlisa shared. "I'm eternally grateful to WATSI, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, and all the doctors who helped me. May the Lord continue to bless you so that you may be able to help more people," she added.