South is a 75-year-old retired farmer, who has two sons, three daughters, and numerous grandchildren. South, who is a widow, lives with her youngest daughter, where her children still farm their family's ancestral land. In May 2020, South was in a motor vehicle collision, and fractured her right kneecap. At the local government hospital, surgery was performed, and hardware was placed to stabilize South's kneecap, so that it would heal properly. She is able to walk again without pain or difficulty, but she needs to have the hardware removed from her leg. South turned to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, for help. She is now scheduled to have the hardware surgically removed on October 7th, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. South needs your help to raise the $304 required to cover the cost of this procedure, which will restore full range of motion to her knee and eliminate the risk of future infection. South shared: "I hope my right leg won't be stiff anymore and I can go back home soon."

Srey Na is a 29-year-old woman from Cambodia. She is married and sells fish at the local market with her husband for a living. She and her husband have one son, who is seven years old and in first grade. Srey Na stays busy caring for her son, doing housework, and sewing clothes for her family. For the past two years, Srey Na has experienced ear pain and discharge, frequently accompanied by headaches and fevers. Recently, her symptoms have worsened, and she has experienced ringing in her ears and chronic headaches. She has trouble sleeping and her hearing has diminished in both ears. Srey Na has been diagnosed with chronic rhino-sinusitis and serous otitis media in both ears. This happens when tissue that lines the sinuses begins to swell, trapping mucus that typically flows through the sinuses and out through the nose. The trapped fluid can grow bacteria that can cause infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is helping Srey Na receive treatment. On December 15th, she will undergo a functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Now, Srey Na needs help raising $333 to fund her procedure and care. Srey Na shared, "I hope I will get ear health, stop the pain and infection, and have no headaches, so I can work and take care of my family."

Abdul is a four month old baby boy. He is being raised by a single mother who previously worked as a housekeeper before her pregnancy. Now Abdul's mother works with Abdul’s grandmother farming and selling vegetables. This work does not provide Abdul's family with medical coverage. Abdul 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, Abdul's head has increased in size since his birth. Abdul was initially taken to a local hospital and diagnosed with malaria. After administering the prescribed medications, Abdul's mother did not notice a change in his condition and took Abdul to another hospital where he was ultimately diagnosed hydrocephalus. Abdul was then referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Hospital for surgery. Without treatment, Abdul will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Abdul's mother raise $720 to cover the cost of surgery for Abdul. The procedure scheduled to take place on March 3rd will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Abdul will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Abdul’s mother shared, “I would really like my son to be treated and regain his health.”

Eugene is a 5-year-old student and the second born in a family of two siblings. His older brother is in grade three. His mother shared that she did not manage to further her own studies due to financial problems. Eugene's father passed away last year after a long illness and his mother is the only breadwinner for their family. She farms maize and beans on a rented piece of land. During the harvest, she sells some in order to support her children and their family uses the rest at home. She lives at her late husband’s ancestral home, in a timber-roomed house. She also keeps some hens which provide them with eggs and meat. Since two months ago, Eugene has had bilateral hydrocele. The hydrocele causes him pain and discomfort. Fortunately, on November 11th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $733 to fund Eugene's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Eugene’s mother says, "I am the only breadwinner. Kindly, assist me to raise the hospital bill for my son.’’

Than is a 66-year-old Khmer noodle seller from Cambodia. Than is a widow with one daughter and one son. She lives alone but cares for her daughter's son while her daughter is working in Thailand. She likes to listen to the radio when the monks are praying and join the ceremonies at her local pagoda. Several years ago, Than developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her difficulty seeing in bright light during the day or poor light in the evening. She rubs her eyes frequently and often sees spots. When Than learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 14th, doctors will perform small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. "I want to be able to care for myself, and sell noodles again to help do more for my children. I hope I can see better after my surgery," said Than.

Veneranda is a 70-year-old wife and mother who together with her husband has six children and several grandchildren. She raises cows with her husband to make ends meet. For the past six months, Veneranda has been experiencing bleeding, backaches and lower back pain. She was referred to our medical partner's care center for examination and treatment. She has been diagnosed with premalignant cervical lesions and surgery was recommended. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Veneranda to receive treatment. On September 15th, she will undergo a hysterectomy at AMH's care center. Successful treatment will reduce the chances of cancer metastasis, and she hopes to get well and resume her duties at home after full recovery. Now, she needs help raising $219 to fund her procedure and care. Veneranda shared, "I think the only chance for me to get relieved from this pain is by surgery and with your support, I hope it will be possible."

Francin is the mother of a young child and is expecting her second baby. She is a resilient woman from Burundi who came to Uganda in search of a job. Before leaving for work, Francin had only completed seventh grade in primary school. After arriving at Uganda, she found a job but her wages were denied to her for 15 months and her boss confiscated her passport and ID, making it impossible for Francin to return home. Francin has gotten married in Uganda, but separated from her husband. Now, she has started working on other people’s farms as a temporary laborer but is experiencing pregnancy complications. Francin attended our medical partner's care center, Nyakibale Hospital, for antenatal care, and is scheduled to receive a cesarean section on August 5th. After the surgery, she will be able to continue her temporary jobs, though she hopes to be able to return to her home country. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $252 for Francin to receive a c-section. Francin says, “I am really suffering in Uganda as I don’t know anyone and am living by the mercies of God and people. Through your support, I will be able to continue with casual labour for my survival.”

Jayden is an active, curious 9-month-old baby. He is the only child in his family. His father is a laborer in a construction site, but work is hard to come by due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, his mother found a job as teacher in a private school but also lost her job as a consequence of the pandemic. The family currently lives in a rented house on the outskirts of Nairobi. When Jayden was born, his mother noticed that he was not passing urine properly. Before they were discharged home from the hospital, she shared her concern with the doctor who assured her that it was only a temporary condition. Despite the assurance from the doctor, she still had her own doubts. Five months later, there was no improvements in how Jayden was passing urine. So she took him to a local facility for examination and the doctor diagnosed him with hypospadias, or urinary dysfunction, and Jayden was referred to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Hospital, for treatment. Upon arrival, he was examined again and the doctor scheduled him for a hypospadias repair surgery. Jayden's parents have National Health Insurance (NHIF), but their request for coverage was rejected. The hospital's social worker then referred their family to Watsi to get help for his treatment. Jayden is now scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on June 28th to address his uncomfortable symptoms and possible future complications. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $735 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Jayden’s mother shares her concern, “It was a hard time for us when NHIF rejected our request. We had started to learn to live with the fact that Jayden may stay for a long time before he could be treated as we are not financially stable.”

Francis is a 48-year-old hawker and a married father of two children, ages 12 and 14. Francis sells a variety of items like pencils and books in Nairobi. His wife is a cook at a nearby school, but unfortunately, due to COVID-19 she has been staying home with no salary. On the evening of Thursday, May 27, Francis was a passenger on a motorbike that was hit by a speeding car as they entered an intersection. He sustained injuries to his head and mouth and fractured his right leg. He was brought to our medical partner's care center where he received stitches in his head and an x-ray showed that he has a fractured tibia and fibula. The surgeon recommended that Francis undergo a fracture repair procedure. If not treated, he will continue to experience pain, and the bones could heal in a suboptimal position. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), can help. On June 3rd, Francis will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. Francis will be free from the pain, the fracture will heal and he will be able to resume work. Now, AMH is requesting $1,049 to fund this procedure. Francis shared, “I will appreciate very much any help because I have no way to raise the money needed for the surgery. I hope to get well and assist my wife in taking care of our family."

Belhat is a 6-year-old boy from Ethiopia who loves to watch kids programs on TV. Belhat has one older sister. His mom works as a nurse, while his dad is a labourer. Both parents make a very humble income to pay for rent and for basic needs. Belhat was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Belhat is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on May 3rd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. His mom shared, “I hope he will heal and become a doctor himself and treat others in need of medical care.”

Chet is a 34-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He has been married for 7 years and together they have a 6-year-old son. His wife works in a factory. In Chet's free time, he likes to care for his son, help with house chores and cooking. He also enjoys taking his family outside for walks. In August 2020, Chet was a motor vehicle accident that fractured his left femur. After the accident, he went to a government hospital for an x-ray and returned home. He chose a Khmer traditional treatment for 15 days, but his leg did not improve. Next, Chet returned to a private clinic for another x-ray, where they referred him to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Doctors assessed his leg and saw that his fracture site is still a non-union, so he was placed on traction for one week. Chet still suffers from chronic pain in his left femur and cannot flex or extend his left leg. Fortunately, surgeons at Children's Surgical Centre can help. On January 7th, Chet will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF). They will place a stabilizing nail on his left femur. This procedure will cost $465, and Chet appeals for financial support. Chet shared, "I hope that I can walk easily again after my surgery and go back to work."

Lay is an 80-year-old retired rice farmer from Cambodia. She has three sons, four daughters, and twenty nine grandchildren. She and her husband live next to her youngest daughter and her family. Lay spends most of her time helping care for her grandchildren and cooking large meals for her extended family. In her free time she likes to listen to music or news on the radio. Ten years ago, Lay developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision, tearing and photophobia. Her symptoms have worsened in the past three months. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Lay learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three-and-a-half hours by taxi seeking treatment. On July 13th, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Lay shared, "I can't work anymore, but I still want to be independent and help take care of my family. I hope this surgery helps me see well enough to do the house work."