Michael is a three-month-old infant from Haiti. He was born to a very young mom. He and his mom live with her parents while she attends high school. Michael has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Michael has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Michael will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Fortunately, our medical partner Project Medishare can help. Michael is scheduled to undergo surgery on August 8th when doctors will drain the excess fluid from his brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. Project Medishare is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Michael. With proper treatment, Michael will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Michael's family said they are grateful for this procedure to give him a chance at a normal, healthy life.

Cherop is an 80-year-old married man with five children who are grown up and married. He lives in a semi-arid area where millet, sorghum, and cassava are planted as food and cash crops. He lives with his wife and a grandson who assists them with farm work. About a year ago, Cherop began to experience abdominal pain that was of gradual onset associated with irregular abdominal swelling, especially after taking meals. He initially thought the condition would better with time, this he did not visit any health facilities. However, as the pain persisted, he began to experience nausea and vomiting, preventing him from consuming solid foods. As a result, he has begun to lose weight and strength, impacting his physical and emotional health. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, has scheduled Cherop for a double hernia repair surgery on February 3rd. With the surgery, hopefully, Cherop will return to a life free of pain. Cherop and his family need help raising $737 to fund his procedure and care. Cherops’ grandson says, “My grandfather has been suffering for some time now. Sometimes we eat well and after a while, he feels pain and vomits a lot. Food has not been helping him of late. Kindly help him so that he may become healthy and happy as before.”

Marissa, who is 48 years old, is a hardworking vegetable vendor from the Philippines. In 2022, Marissa began to experience troubling symptoms, including excruciating abdominal pain, which have made it difficult for her to continue with her daily activities. After several months of enduring the pain, Marissa finally consulted a doctor, who diagnosed her with chronic calculous cholecystitis- an inflamed gallbladder complicated by gallstones- which needs to be treated surgically. Unfortunately, even with financial help from her sons, Marissa could not afford the cost of the surgery. As a result, she deferred her treatment, hoping that her condition would improve over time. However, the pain has persisted, making it increasingly difficult for her to continue working and providing for her family. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Marissa is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on April 18th, at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, but Marissa and her family still need help raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of Marissa's surgery and care, which will prevent her condition from deteriorating. Marissa shared: "We are incredibly grateful to World Surgical Foundation Philippines and WATSI for the support they are providing. Without their help, I may have continued to suffer in silence."

Junel is a loving father from the Philippines who lives with his mother, his partner, and their one-year-old daughter. To support their family, Junel works as a nursing aide and his partner is a dietician. Since 2017, Junel has experienced troubling symptoms including abdominal pain and feeling bloated. Most recently in February, Junel experienced severe abdominal pain that required medical attention. His ultrasound revealed that he was suffering from gallstones, and he will need to undergo surgery to remove his gallbladder to prevent worsening symptoms and/or future health complications. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Junel is scheduled to undergo his gallbladder surgery on March 8th. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is looking to help raise $1,128 to cover the remaining cost of Junel's surgery and care. Junel shared: "My medical condition is a burden to me and my family. I have to miss going to work whenever the pain attacks, and that will cost my whole day's salary. Fortunately, WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines are willing to help me. I couldn't thank you enough for your generosity. I'm eternally grateful for all your help!"

Erick lives in a neighborhood on the outskirts of La Paz with his mother and his grandparents, who help take care of him while his mother works in the market. He was born with three different holes in and near his heart; as a result, blood leaks through these holes, and his heart cannot deliver enough oxygen to his body. Thankfully, our medical care partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, has been of great help and has helped Erick and his family receive the right medical attention. During his surgery, doctors will close all three holes to ensure oxygen-rich blood circulates throughout his body and he is able to grow into a strong young boy. On February 17th, Erick will undergo cardiac surgery at Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría in Bolivia. His family needs financial assistance to cover the $1,500 cost of this life-saving procedure. His mother shared, "I almost gave up hope that my son could live, and I am so thankful to everyone who is giving him this chance!"

Dah is a 63-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her daughter, two sons, and a daughter-in-law in a village on the Thai-Burma border. They all make and sell traditional rice wine, and grow and sell vegetables on their small farm. In her free time, Dah enjoys watching television and working on her small farm. On the morning of February 3rd, one of her sons drove her and her other son to their farmland. The road was undulating and full of potholes. Suddenly, their motorbike slid and they all fell off. Both her sons were fine, but Dah broke her left femur. As a result, Dah cannot walk or move her left leg and is in a lot of pain. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Dah will undergo surgery to reset her fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for February 3rd and will help her walk free of pain. Dah and her family need help raising $1,500 to funder her procedure and care. "I worry that I will not be able to walk like before", she said. "If I cannot walk I don't know how I will be able to work on our farmland."

Rotha is a 50-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He is married with three daughters and one son. His wife works in a local clothes factory. In his free time, he helps his wife with housework and enjoys fishing with his friends. In 2018, Rotha was in a traffic accident and suffered an open fracture of his left tibia and a closed fracture of his left femur. He had surgery at a local hospital, with bone grafts and nails, but his tibia remained infected. After several surgeries and debridements, his infection has resolved, but his bone remains exposed from all the procedures. He cannot walk and is in great pain. When Rotha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On November 21st, surgeons at CSC will perform reverse soleus muscle flap of the left tibia to close the open wound and help him walk again without pain. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Rotha shared: "I hope my left leg will finally heal, I will have no infection, and can return home to work for my family again."