Dollores is a hardworking 59-year-old woman from Philippines. She was an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher, and then worked as a call center agent. Unfortunately, in October 2022, she was dismissed from her job due to being medically unfit. Now, she lives with her daughter and family, and the sole breadwinner is her son-in-law, who works in finance. In June 2022, Dollores noticed a mass on her right breast. At her initial examination, she was told that the mass was benign, but in a follow-up biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, or a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been recommended to remove the cancer and prevent it from metastasizing. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Dollores receive treatment. On January 7th, she will undergo a mastectomy at WSFP's care center. After treatment, Dollores will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation. Dollores needs help raising $1,058 to cover the remaining cost of her procedure and care. Dollores shared tearfully, "your help brings relief to my heart and mind. This will ease my worries, especially about the medical bill. I believe that there's a reason why you're saving me, and that's for me to continue with my life. Thank you, WATSI and World Surgical Foundation Philippines! I hope to give back the help that you've given me."

Vichea is a 37-year-old soft drink seller from Cambodia. He is married and has two daughters and one son. When he is not working, Vichea enjoys playing with his small son and helping his wife at home. When he was six, Vichea had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. Because of this, Vichea experiences hearing loss, discharge, and pain. It is difficult for him to communicate with others, and the pain and discharge disrupts his sleep. The medications to alleviate his symptoms are expensive and have not treated the problem. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), is helping Vichea receive treatment. He traveled to CSC's care center where, on November 16th, he will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in his right ear. During the procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Now, he needs help raising $926 to fund his procedure and care. Vichea shared, "I hope my hearing improves and my ear heals."

Ly is a 62 year old husband and father, living with his wife and youngest child in Cambodia. Ly's wife sells clothes at the local market, while Ly stays at home, playing chess with his neighbor, reading and exercising. For the past six months, Ly has experienced problems with his right middle finger, which is stuck in a bent position. This issue is usually the result of inflammation within the tendon sheath of the finger. Ly cannot straighten or flex his finger, and it is swollen and painful, which makes it difficult for him to carry out simple, everyday tasks. Ly is also concerned that his finger will be permanently bent in its current position. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. Ly will undergo a surgical repair of his right middle finger on October 7th, at Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Centre. The surgery should correct Ly's situation, and enable him to return to a healthy and productive life. Ly needs your support to fund the $572 required to cover the cost of the procedure, medicines and post operative care. Ly told us: "I hope after surgery my hand gets better with no pain or swelling. I want to work with this finger and hand again so I can enjoy my life."

Yeng is a 59-year-old rice farmer who is married and has one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. Yeng lives with her husband who is also a farmer. Yeng enjoys listening to the news on the radio. Five years ago, Yeng developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her photophobia, tearing, and blurry vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so is not able to go places on her own. When Yeng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On May 3rd, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification 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 $253 procedure. Yeng says, "I hope after surgery my vision can improve so I can return to planting rice and recognize people well."

Saravandira is a 15-month-old infant from Haiti. She has one older brother and sister and lives with both of her parents. Saravandira has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Saravandira's head circumference has been increasing. Without treatment, Saravandira will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost of surgery for Saravandira at Hospital Bernard Mevs that will treat her hydrocephalus. This is the only site in the country where this care is currently available and the procedure is scheduled to take place on August 26th. This critical treatment will drain the excess fluid from Saravandira's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Saravandira will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. The family hopes that she can grow up and be healthy enough to play with her brother and sister.

Solomon is a 17-year-old from Tanzania. He is the secondborn in a family of five children. He enjoys going to school and has studied up to form 2. To support their family, his father works in the mines, and his mother is a kindergarten teacher. They share that their income is only enough to cover their basic day-to-day needs. Solomon has been diagnosed with genu valgus, a condition which causes his legs to bows inward and his knees to 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 of his condition, he is unable to walk and has stopped attending school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Solomon. The procedure is scheduled to take place on August 4th. Treatment will hopefully restore Solomon's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Solomon's mother shares that she is happy knowing her son will be able to live a healthy life.

U Pyin is a 36-year-old monk who lives with three other monks, seven novice monks, and his two younger brothers, in a village in central Burma. His two younger brothers are not monks, but work at the monastery as helpers, assisting with cooking and cleaning. U Pyin has no income, but receives food and accommodation at the monastery. If he is ill, there are three local families that help to cover the costs of his basic health care expenses. In early May, U Pyin began experiencing difficulty breathing, chest pains, and headaches. One of his brothers brought him to a hospital, where tests revealed that one of the valves in his heart needs to be replaced. This is a particularly dangerous condition, as it can lead to a stroke, and U Pyin has already suffered a stroke, earlier in his life. U Pyin was given medication, an appointment to return in two months, and sent home. When U Pyin did not feel any better after taking the medication that he had been given, he and his brother decided that he should see a cardiologist in Yangon. The cardiologist confirmed U Pyin's diagnosis, and stressed the need for U Pyin to have surgery to replace the ailing mitral valve. As U Pyin was unable to pay for the surgery, the doctor referred him to an abbot for assistance. Fortunately, the abbot referred U Pyin to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, and now U Pyin is scheduled to have mitral valve replacement surgery on June 24th, at Pun Hlaing Hospital. Burma Children Medical Fund is seeking $1,500 to cover the costs of U Pyin's procedure and care, which will enable him to breathe well and to sleep comfortably again, things that he is unable to do right now. U Pyin will also be able to return to teaching the novice monks at the monastery, which he has been unable to do because he feels so unwell. U Pyin said: “After I recover, I want to teach novice monks again and I want to open a Buddhist school near Yangon.”

Teriki is a 74-year-old woman with three children. She is proud that all have grown up healthy and have children of their own now. Teriki’s husband passed away many years ago, and she lives with her grandchildren. Teriki’s children farm a small piece of land and take on labor jobs to help provide for their families. Alongside farming maize and vegetables, Teriki also helps on peoples’ farms to support her grandchildren in school and provide basic needs for herself. Teriki was recently in an accident when she had to separate some animals who were fighting on the farm. Now she has swelling and bruises, and her leg is broken. Teriki is experiencing severe pain and must use a wheelchair to move around, which has been challenging for her to do. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help Teriki heal. On May 18th, Teriki will undergo a fracture repair procedure called an open reduction and internal fixation. Upon recovery, Teriki will be able to walk easily again. AMH is requesting $1,145 to fund her medical treatment. Teriki says, “I really feel sorry right now. I have been depending on myself, yet now I cannot walk by myself. Please help me get back on my feet so that we do not suffer more for my grandchildren.”