Rechael is a 38-year-old widow and mother of three children, who works in a small grocery store. Her husband died in a traffic accident in 2018, and her life changed dramatically as a result. Her husband's family sent her away with the children, and since her mother had also died earlier, she shared with us that she had nowhere to go. Her aunt agreed to have Rachael and her children come live with her. Rechael was accompanied by her aunt and uncle when she came to Nazareth Hospital this week. She was very anxious, and when she started narrating her story she began to cry. She had become depressed, had experienced periodic upper abdominal pains, and occasional vomiting. She has been admitted at hospitals three times, and a scan showed that she had gallstones. Doctors advised that she have surgery to heal her condition. Unfortunately, she is unable to pay the $788 needed for this surgery. If not treated, Rechael will continue to experience these symptoms, and could develop complications such as pancreatitis, or obstruction of the gallbladder among others. “I am desperate and don’t know what to do. I can only depend on my family, and they are not in a position to help. I pray for help so that at least my life can be normal again for the sake of my children,” said Rechael.

Non is a loving 62-year-old grandmother who works as a rice farmer. She has two sons, three daughters, and 13 grandchildren. Since her husband passed away many years ago, Non has lived with her eldest son who also works as a rice farmer. Non likes to play with her grandchildren, and to listen to monks praying on the radio. Three years ago, Non developed a cataract in her right eye, which has caused tearing, light sensitivity, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is also worried about falling when walking, so is unable to go places on her own. When Non learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for six and a half hours seeking treatment. On September 5th, doctors will perform cataract surgery and implant a lens in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $253 procedure. Non says, "I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can return to planting rice and recognizing people again."

Kembabazi is a 44-year-old small business owner who travels around their village selling fresh foods to earn a living and support her family. She is a mother of four and shared that her husband unfortunately passed away in 2012, and he left her a three-room mud house for shelter. Kembabazi's oldest child, who is 20 years old, completed secondary school class three but had to end schooling due to a lack of funds to pay for school fees. Her youngest child is currently 12 years old and is in the fifth grade. In 2021, Kembabazi developed a lump on her back. As time progresses, the swelling is increasing in size and causing her to experience pain. Fortunately, Kembabazi traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On July 5th, surgeons will remove the mass, alleviating her pain. Now, Kembabazi needs help to raise $145 to fund this procedure. Kembabazi says, “I am worried about the lump swelling and sought medical treatment so that I may live a normal life once again. After surgery, I will continue with my business so that I may be able to take good care of my family.”

Pamella is a 26-year-old farmer who lives with her husband and child in rural Uganda. When she was young, Pamella dropped out of school because she was unable to cover the necessary fees, and began working in the city. After getting married, she returned to her village, where she enjoys growing crops such as maize, beans and potatoes, which they rely upon to feed their family. Pamella's husband operates a motorcycle business. For two years, Pamella has had a supraumbilical hernia. The hernia, which presents as a swelling on her abdominal wall and which can be painful, prevents Pamella from doing the strenuous work necessary for growing her crops. She came to the hospital in nearby Nyakibale, where surgery was recommended. She now needs help to cover the cost of her surgery, which is scheduled for May 10th at the Karoli Lwanga Hospital. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $230 to fund Pamella's surgery. Once completed, this procedure should allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Pamella says: “I can’t wait for the day I will wake up only to find that I am free from this pain.”

Erna is a 41-year-old woman and small business owner from the Philippines. She makes a small income from her grilled skewers and juice selling business, along with her husband's work as a company driver. Having had a family history of myoma, a type of tumor that can occur in the uterus, Erna frequently checked herself as a precaution. Unfortunately, in January 2022, she found a mass which was causing minor pain. Erna sought medical consultation and found out that she has myoma. This condition needs to be treated surgically. Erna cannot afford to cover her treatment on her own. Fortunately, a rural health worker helped her reach out to our medical partner, the World Surgical Foundation Philippines. On April 29th, Erna will undergo a hysterectomy to manage her condition and prevent further risk. Our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines, is requesting $1,485 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once she recovers, she will no longer have a hypogastric mass or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. “We were anxious when we found out about my condition. It’s also especially hard for us to think where to find the money to finance my surgery," Erna shared. "The support coming from World Surgical Foundation Philippines and Watsi will be a big help for me and my family. Thank you so much for helping people like me," she added.

Thean is a 74-year-old retired rice farmer. She and her husband have two daughters, two sons, and nine grandchildren. All of her children work as farmers. Some of Thean's favorite activities are listening to the monks pray on the radio and visiting the pagoda. Five years ago, Thean developed a pterygium in her left eye, causing burning, irritation, and blurry vision. Pterygiums are non-cancerous growths of the conjunctiva, which is the mucous layer that lubricates the eye. The growths occur when the conjunctiva is exposed to excessive sun damage, and the cells grow abnormally over the pupil. As a result, Thean has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going outside. When Thean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 4th, Thean will undergo surgery to remove the abnormal conjunctiva from the cornea surface and replace it with a conjunctival graft to prevent a recurrence. The total cost of her procedure is $225, which includes medications, supplies, and inpatient care for two days. Kech says, "After surgery, I hope my eye irritation stops and I can feel comfortable. I want to go outside by myself, and see and recognize things well."

Daw Khin is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her parents, who are retired and supported by Daw Khin's sister, who earns an income from renting out their land. Daw Khin used to work as a teacher before her condition made it difficult for her to continue teaching her students. Around June 2020, Daw Khin began to feel very tired and experienced heart palpitations. She shared that it felt like she could not breathe while teaching. Because these episodes happened infrequently, she did not seek treatment at the time; however, in December 2020, her condition worsened, and she went to a local hospital. After receiving an electrocardiogram, doctors determined she has an enlarged heart and an abnormal heartbeat and prescribed medication to help Daw Khin feel better. Since Daw Khin's symptoms continued, her sister brought her to a cardiologist in April 2021. Upon review, Daw Khin's condition was diagnosed as an atrial septal defect, a birth condition in which there is a hole in the wall that divides the upper chambers of the heart. The cardiologist informed her that she would need surgery, but the cost was too high for Daw Khin's family, so they returned home with medications. Daw Khin currently experiences headaches, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue and heart palpitations when talking or walking short distances. Fortunately, a friend visited Daw Khin in June and told her about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Daw Khin contacted BCMF and learned that BCMF will be able to help her finally heal. On February 6th, she will undergo an atrial septal defect (ASD) closure. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to help fund her procedure. Daw Khin shared, "I would like to teach all my students again in the future. I like teaching students."

Jackline is a farmer and a mother of four: two boys and two girls all in different stages in school. Jackline and her husband support their family through small scale farming in the village. They mainly grow carrots and cabbages to sell in the market. Five years ago, Jackline began to experience troubling symptoms, including breathing and swallowing problems, anterior neck swelling and heart palpitations. She visited Nyakibale Hospital and had a thyroid test run. She was diagnosed with multiple cystic thyroid goitre. If not treated, Jackline will be at risk of further complications from the goitre including breathing problems. She is worried her output at work will be affected and needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Jackline receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 28th at our medical partner's care center. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. This procedure will cost $252, and she and her family need help raising money. Jackline says “I really wish my health gets better so that I continue working hard and be able to educate my children for a bright future.”

Menglay is a 2-year-old boy and the youngest of three children in his family; he has an eight-year-old sister and a 10-year-old brother. He loves eating his mother's noodles and fried eggs, and likes to play with his older siblings. In 2020, he was burned on the index and middle finger of his right hand. His parents had him treated at a Children's Hospital, where he underwent wound care and a skin graft. The skin graft has developed a scar contracture, and now he cannot use his two fingers. It is painful for him and he cannot hold anything in that hand. When Menglay's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours with his parents seeking treatment. On January 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Once he heals, he will be able to use his hand and fingers. Now, their family needs help to fund this $477 procedure. His mother said: "we are so worried that Menglay will not be able to use his hand like other children. We hope the doctors can fix his fingers so he can grow up happy and healthy."

Muon is a 57-year-old woman with has two siblings. She has dedicated her life to her local pagoda. She lives at the pagoda, makes sure the young monks have food, and that the pagoda is cleaned routinely. Three years ago, Muon developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her to see only shadows. She is unable to recognize people or to see in bright or dim lighting. When Muon learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled across the country for eight hours seeking treatment. On December 9th, doctors will perform a small incision 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. Muon shared, "I hope after surgery my eye can see better. Then I can prepare and clean the pagoda and take care of myself."