Sitha is a 72-year-old widowed grandmother living in Cambodia. She has two sons and four grandchildren, and lives with her younger son, who is a construction worker. For most of her life, Sitha worked as a tailor, but she retired from her job recently due to her age and poor vision. Now she likes to spend her days listening to the monks praying on the radio, and visiting her local pagoda to help the monks. One year ago, Sitha developed a cataract, which causes tearing and blurry vision in her left eye. She is no longer able to use a sewing machine, and limits her activities outdoors due to light sensitivity. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, and is reluctant to go out on her own. Sitha learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and sought their help. As a result, she is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on October 11th, when doctors at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will implant an intraocular lens in her eye. After she has recovered, Sitha will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs your help to fund this $253 procedure. Sitha said: "I hope after surgery I can see better, and go outside. I hope to take care of myself and not need help from others."

Kry Ya is a 26-year-old factory worker with three brothers and two sisters, all are married and live in other homes. Kry Ya's parents are vegetable sellers. In his free time, Kry Ya enjoys singing, listening to music, playing games, and playing football with friends. In July, Kry Ya was in a motor vehicle accident that caused paralysis of his left shoulder. Kry Ya has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. At this time, Kry Ya is unable to lift his left arm preventing him from working. Kry Ya traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. This is the only center in the country where this treatment is available. On September 5th, Kry Ya will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he will be able to use his hand again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is raising $709 to fund this procedure. Kry Ya shared, "I hope I can regain function of my arm as soon as possible."

Josias is a three-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his parents and older brother. He is a happy and playful toddler who loves to smile and play! Josias 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, Josias has been experiencing developmental delays. He cannot walk or talk yet. Without treatment, Josias will continue experiencing severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $957 to cover the cost of surgery for Josias at Hospital Bernard Mevs to treat his hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 20th. This critical treatment will place a shunt to drain the excess fluid from Josias's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Josias will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Josias's family has shared that they hope this surgery will allow him to be more independent.

Andy lives in a neighborhood of La Paz with his parents and younger sister; he is in the fifth grade and likes playing video games and spending time with his friends and family. Andy was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect: a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart, and blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. During surgery, doctors will sew a patch over this hole to close it. His surgery costs $1,500, and Andy's family needs help to pay for it. Andy's mother said, "Our family is very hopeful that after this surgery Andy will have more energy and will grow bigger and stronger!"

Sajina is a sweet, smiley 5-year-old. She is the third born in her family of four children. Sajina looks forward to attending school and shared, “I have told Father to take me to school like my siblings, but he says I am still small.” Both Sajina’s parents are small-scale farmers who depend on their crop yield for food and work other’s farms, as well, for additional income. Sajina was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, as her legs bow inward so that her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she frequently complains of pain and tires quickly when walking short distances. For this reason, Sajina’s condition also makes it hard for her to attend school at this time. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Sajina receive treatment. On June 7th, she will undergo corrective surgery to help restore Sajina’s mobility, allowing her to participate in various activities and significantly decreasing her risk of future complications. AMH is requesting $880 to fund this procedure. Sajina’s father says, “My daughter’s legs were really bad, now they look better, but she still needs another surgery.”

Socheata is an adorable 3-year-old. Her father is a construction worker and currently works abroad in Korea, while her mother stays home with Socheata to care for her and her older sister. Socheata enjoys playing with toys with her sister and friends, watching cartoons on TV, and going to the market with her mother. Her favorite meal is eggs and fresh milk. In 2020, Socheata was in an accident that burned her left hand. Her mother took her to a local hospital for care; however, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around her affected finger. As a result, it is difficult for Socheata to use her finger, and she cannot hold objects. When Socheata's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On May 13th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to enable Socheata to use her finger easily again. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this procedure. Socheata's family gathered $100 to contribute to her care. Socheata's mother shared, "I feel bad because Socheata was with me when she burned her finger, and I am responsible for her pain. I hope the hospital can fix her finger, and she will be able to use it like other children."

Vania is a hardworking 14-year-old student from Haiti. She lives in an urban area of the island nation's capital, Port-au-Prince, with her parents and three younger brothers. She enjoys studying, especially science and literature. Unfortunately, Vania has not been able to attend school for two years because of her heart condition. She suffered from rheumatic fever early in her childhood. The illness damaged one of the four valves in her heart, leaving her with a condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. Her heart cannot pump blood adequately through her body, which leaves her weak and short of breath. The good news is that surgery can help. Vania will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On May 16th, surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial valve in its place. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $17,000 to pay for the procedure. But Vania's family also needs help to fund other medical and travel costs, which is where our Watsi donors come in. They are raising $1,500 to cover lab work and medicine for Vania, along with checkup and followup appointments. It also will help pay for her to get a passport and support social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Vania and her family overseas. Vania says, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can feel more normal and go back to school."

Rodjana is a creative three-year-old girl from Haiti who lives in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital city, with her parents and three older siblings. She currently attends preschool and enjoys drawings and making crafts. Rodjana has several cardiac conditions. She has a heart valve that does not adequately allow blood to be pumped through her body, as well as a hole between two blood vessels near her heart. Fortunately, Rodjana will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive cardiac treatment on September 7th. There, surgeons will repair the faulty valve and close the hole near her heart. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by Haiti Cardiac Alliance. Rodjana's family needs help raising the remaining $1,500, which covers labs, medication, and travel costs. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably and confidently. Rodjana's mother says, "I am hopeful that after this surgery, my daughter will be able to play normally and be more active."

Glorious is a farmer and 40-year-old mother of six children. She completed primary school but due to the financial crisis in her family back then, she could not proceed with her education. She got married and together with her husband, they practice small scale farming to make ends meet. She told us she is proud to have her children in school, even though earning enough for their school fees is hard for their family. Ten years ago, Glorious began to experience troubling symptoms, including neck swelling, breathing difficulties, and heart palpitations. The symptoms, Glorious notes, seem to have worsened in the last six months so she opted to visit Nyakibale Hospital hoping to feel better soon. She was diagnosed with goitre and needs surgery but the cost is high for her family to meet on their own. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Glorious receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on April 12th 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. Glorious says “I hope that with your support, I will get the surgery and the swelling that is disfiguring me will finally end."

Rozaleny is a 70-year-old woman from the Philippines. She lives with her husband, who is a tricycle driver. For the past few months, Rozaleny has been experiencing pain and difficulty sitting. After three months of enduring this pain and discomfort, she decided to seek medical care. She was diagnosed with external hemorrhoids and was advised to undergo surgery to prevent her condition from worsening. However, Rozaleny and her husband could not fund her needed treatment due to financial constraints. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Rozaleny receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a hemorrhoidectomy on July 30th at WSFP's care center. During this procedure, surgeons will remove her external hemorrhoids. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,137 to cover the cost of Rozaleny's procedure and care. After her recovery, she will no longer experience pain and will avoid future complications. Rozaleny's husband shares, "This free surgery will really be a big help to us. We can't afford to pay for her treatment. We're eternally grateful to Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines for all their help."

Mathayo is a 13-year-old and the 5th born in his family of seven children. They are being raised by their mother after Mathayo's father remarried. When Mathayo was a one-year-old he was involved in a fire accident. The mattress he was sleeping in caught on fire. He was taken to hospital for treatment, but he lost his feet and some fingers. His wounds healed completely but after three years, he started to develop an infection. Now he cannot walk without support. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Mathayo finally receive treatment. On March 17th, surgeons will perform a skin graft procedure to help him heal well and be able to walk without support. Now, Mathayo's family needs help to fund this $747 procedure. Mathayo says, “I had lost hope of this wound ever healing but now I see a glimmer of hope.”