Stravensky, who is 18 years old, and in his final year of high school, lives in Port-au-Prince in Haiti, with his parents and two sisters. He aspires to go on to university to study engineering. Stravensky was born with atrial septal defect, a cardiac condition, where a hole exists between the upper two chambers in his heart. Instead of circulating through his lungs and picking up oxygen, the blood leaks through the hole, leaving him weak and short of breath. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is seeking $1,500 to fund the costs of the surgery that Stravensky needs to repair his heart. The procedure, during which the hole will be repaired, is scheduled for February 1st, at Clinica Corominas. After this life changing operation, Stravensky should be able to live a healthy and comfortable life, and to pursue his ambitions without experiencing his current symptoms. From Stravensky: "I have been hoping to have my heart fixed ever since I was a small child - I can't believe it is finally happening!"

Angelina is a mother of three children aged between 12 and 27 years old. She and her husband work as manual laborers in Kenya, but the income from this venture is inconsistent and negligible to pay for the proposed surgery. Angelina has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. Thus, doctors suggested she undergo a mastectomy to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. On February 3rd, Angelina will undergo a mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, with the help of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. After treatment, Angelina will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Angelina needs help raising $1,110 to fund her procedure and care. Angelina says, “I am still in shock after hearing this cancer news. I hope to get treatment soon to stop it.”

Mary lives with her husband and 5-year-old child in Kenya. She is 28 years old and works as a laborer on farms. Her husband does labor jobs when we can get them at construction sites. Their combined income is inconsistent, and they have no savings or medical insurance. Mary has been unwell for a while now. She had a hemorrhagic stroke in January of this year, which has mostly been resolved. However, an ultrasound revealed that she has a right ovarian serous cystadenoma. These are abnormal growths that need to be removed. If left untreated, they can turn into cancer (serous carcinomas). Mary needs surgery, but cannot afford it. She is scheduled for an oophorectomy procedure, which is the surgical removal of an ovary or ovaries. This surgery will cost $1074, and she needs help raising the payment. Mary says, "I am in so much pain and need treatment. If left untreated I am scared of losing my life.”

Ferdinand is a father of two from the Philippines. He has one son and one daughter. Both he and his wife both work as public school teachers. Their income is still insufficient for their needs, however and, in addition to supporting their children, part of their salary goes to their medication for diabetes and hypertension. In September, Ferdinand began to experience several troubling symptoms, including severe abdominal pain. He was rushed to an emergency room to be treated. The ultrasound test showed that he has gallstones. Ferdinand has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy which is the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen and will put him at risk of further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), Ferdinand is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy on December 3rd. A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $826 to cover the cost of Ferdinand's surgery and care. "Because of my condition, I'm in constant pain which hinders me from doing my usual activities. I've tried to reach out for help to our local government but was unsuccessful," Ferdinand shared. "I am glad there are foundations like Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines that exist. I'm forever grateful for the help that you've given me," he added.

Stephen is a young man from Kenya. He is the firstborn in a family of 3 children. Their family has relied on their mother to provide for them as his father passed away when he was young boy. His mother does deliveries for different shop owners around their town. Stephen had to drop out from college do to inability to pay his school fees, and he now helps around the house and helps his mother with the deliveries, which is the how the family makes ends meet. Stephen 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, Stephen has been experiencing severe headaches since this past July. He visited a hospital where a CT scan was done that revealed that he had a cyst that was obstructing the normal flow of fluid in and out of the head. An urgent surgery was recommended to remove the cyst, but he did not undergo it due to not having the funds for the procedure. A shunt insertion surgery has been recommended along with a craniotomy that will be performed later to remove the cyst. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Stephen that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 23rd and will drain the excess fluid from Stephen's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Stephen will hopefully continue to develop into a strong, healthy man. Stephen says, “I really want to be treated so that I can help my mom provide for us.”

Phal is a 58-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. He is from Kampong Thom province, and is a widower - his wife died of an illness several years ago. He has two sons, two daughters, and four grandchildren. He lives with his oldest daughter who is also a rice farmer. In his free time, he enjoys listening to the news on the radio, taking care of his grandchildren, and visiting the village pagoda. Four months ago, Phal discovered a small mass on his lower jaw which has grown quickly in size. He went to a local hospital but had no money so they did not treat him. A biopsy showed him to have a rare cancer - odontogenic carcinoma, which is an abnormal growth in and around the jaw and teeth. He has jaw pain, and it is difficult for him to eat or drink. He has lost almost 10 pounds in the last four months. When Phal learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, surgeons at CSC will perform mandibulectomy and free flap to remove the cancerous cells and replace the surgical site with a free skin flap, so he can continue to work as a farmer and support his family. Now, he needs help to fund this $673 procedure. Phal shared: "After surgery, I hope the doctors will remove the tumour from my lower jaw, and I will have no more pain while eating and drinking."

Myo is a 14-year-old boy from Burma. He lives with his parents in a village in Karen State. His mother is a homemaker who is currently eight months pregnant. His father is a subsistence farmer, but he also works as a day laborer to earn money. Myo is in grade six and he enjoys playing football in his free time. Two years ago, Myo developed a pain in his arm which he noticed while playing football with his friends. Right away he was in a lot of pain, but his arm did not look broken. At first, the pain lessened, but gradually the pain worsened and his upper left forearm became swollen. Myo could also feel a mass under the swollen area of his left forearm. Myo and his father went to Chiang Mai Hospital, where he received a MRI and other tests, as well as a biopsy which confirmed that the tumor in his forearm was cancer. Now he needs surgery to remove the tumor, and he will need a chemo after surgery. The enlarged mass in Myo's left forearm has not increased in size, and only causes him pain when he lifts something heavy or when he does any physical activity with that arm such as washing his clothes or cleaning. Although he can take a shower by himself, using only his right arm makes it challenging. When he plays with his friends, he needs to protect his left forearm to prevent getting hurt. Myo's family sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. He is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on December 8th, and his family needs help funding the $1,500 cost to cover his procedure and care. He said, “I feel sorry for my mother and I pity her that she has to stay alone with the new baby. I also feel sad that I cannot go to school this year. I want to recover quickly and go back to see my brother and mother.”

Maureen is a hard working stay-at-home mother. She is a beautiful and ever-smiling mother of eight from Kiambaa in Kiambu. She is currently unemployed due to medical issues after having a C-section to deliver her last born in 2020. In November Maureen tripped and fell in her house while going about her daily chores. She felt excruciating pain in her left hand and was taken to a hospital in Ruaka. An x-ray confirmed a fracture on her left arm and she was recommended surgery in order to heal her condition. She is in a lot of pain and cannot use her left hand. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. On December 1st, Maureen will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. She will heal well and be able to use her hand again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,049 to fund her procedure. “I am glad there is the hope of treatment. The thought of being unable to use my left hand to go about my daily chores scares me,” Maureen remarked with a glimmer of hope in her eyes.