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."

Onesmus is a cheerful and friendly 7-year-old student from Kenya. His father is a minibus taxi driver, and his mother sells vegetables to locals. Onesmus is the firstborn of three children in his family. He has a brother who has the same condition as him, and they both require surgery. Onesmus was born with hypospadias, a congenital condition that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Onesmus is visiting our facility for the second time. He and his brother both underwent first stage hypospadias repair about a year ago. Now, they must undergo a second and final stage repair for full functioning of the affected area. Onesmus's family has insurance, which is paid for by the government through the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF). However, NHIF could not approve surgery for both brothers, so only one surgery will be funded. Due to financial constraints, their parents are unable to fund Onesmus's procedure. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), can help. Onesmus is scheduled to undergo second stage corrective surgery on July 25th at our medical partner's care center. AMHF is requesting $874 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Onesmus's mother shares, "I am really looking forward to my son's well-being. I believe all will be changed by the end of the procedure.”

Faith is a bright and ambitious 18-year-old from Kenya. She is the firstborn in a family of three children. Her mother works as a tailor, and her father is a pastor. Her favorite hobby is singing, especially singing gospel songs. She completed her O-level this year and aspires to continue her education and complete a course in beauty and therapy, which are other passions of hers. Faith has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Faith traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 12th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Faith's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Faith shares, “I am appealing for support from Watsi to help me undergo surgery so that I can resume a normal life like other people, as well as continue with my studies and achieve my passion.”

Rom is a 64-year-old lumberjack. He is married and has three daughters, four sons, and twenty grandchildren. Rom and his wife live with one of their daughters. In his free time, Rom likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Rom developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. As a result, 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 Rom learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for three and half hours seeking treatment. On June 13th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. CSC is requesting $253 to fund his procedure. Rom shared, "I want to do more again. I hope I can see clearly again and can go outside by myself."

Zuriel is a friendly three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He loves to play with his friends in the neighborhood! His mother is a full-time mom, and his father works as a tricycle driver. Two years ago, Zuriel's mother noticed a mass on his groin. She brought him to the nearest hospital to get it checked, and it was diagnosed as an inguinal hernia. This hernia occurs when tissue, such as part of the intestine, protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Zuriel's parents share that his father earns just enough to support their day-to-day needs, so they are unable to fund their son's needed surgery to heal his condition. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Zuriel receive treatment. He will undergo hernia repair surgery on July 23rd at WSFP's care center, Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of Zuriel's treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. WSFP is raising the remaining $845 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Zuriel's mother shares, "It's hard to find help for my son's treatment. Fortunately, we were able to reach out to the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. This free surgery will be a big help to our family. Thank you so much to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. God bless you."

Abegaelle is a five-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives in the capital city of Port-au-Prince with her parents and older brother. Some of her favorite activities include going to preschool and attending church with her family. Abegaelle was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. As a result, blood leaks through, leaving her weak and short of breath. The care she needs is not available in Haiti, but fortunately, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), is helping Abegaelle receive treatment. She will travel to the Dominican Republic to undergo surgery on July 26th, during which surgeons will insert a catheter to plug the hole in her heart and restore a healthy blood flow. Abegaelle's family is raising $1,500 to cover the costs of her surgery prep, which includes all labs, medication, check-up and follow-up appointments, and the passports needed for HCA's social workers to accompany Abegaelle and her family overseas. Abegaelle's mother shared, "Our family is all very thankful that Abegaelle will have this chance to have her heart fixed!"

Monika is a five-year-old student and the oldest child in her family. She just started the first grade. When she is not at school, Monika likes to play with other children around her house. In April, Monika was playing with friends and tripped causing a fracture of her left forearm. This injury has left Monika's arm red and swollen and has made it difficult for her to dress and feed herself. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), can help. On April 18th, Monika will undergo a fracture repair procedure and CSC is helping Monika and her family raise $483 to cover the cost of the surgery. This procedure will repair Monika's forearm, and she will be able to use her hand again. Her mother said, "I hope this surgery can fix her arm and she can return to school. It is hard to see her cry every day."