Marivel is a hardworking and loving daughter from the Philippines. She is a 2nd-year college student. While studying, she tried to look for jobs to support her family. Unfortunately, to date she has been unable to pass the medical (health) requirements. The only breadwinner in the family is her father who works as a pedicab driver. Her father's income is often not enough to bring food to the table. In 2018, Marivel began to experience troubling symptoms, including a mass on her neck that is growing in size, and episodes of difficulty breathing. Due to the inadequate family resources, she did not seek treatment. By the time she finally had a chance to be checked by a doctor, her condition had worsened. She was diagnosed with Nodular Non-Toxic Goiter, a thyroid gland enlargement with no disturbance in the thyroid function. She needs surgery to prevent her symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Marivel receive treatment. She is scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy on December 10th at Our Lady of Peace Hospital. Surgeons will remove all or part of her thyroid gland. A portion of the cost of her treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $890 to cover the cost of Marivel's procedure and care. Marivel shared, "I'd like to thank Watsi and World Surgical Foundation Philippines. You're not just giving me surgery, but also a chance to support my family. After my treatment, I'd be able to find a decent job and provide for our needs."

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.”

Sesilia is a 12-year-old student from Tanzania who was born and raised in the remote village of a Maasai community where her parents are subsistence farmers. She enjoys art classes and has a passion for painting and writing short stories. It is her dream to be a portrait painter. In 2013, while staying with her grandmother, Sesilia was involved in an accidental fire that burnt her right arm and chest. Sesilia's wounds took three months to heal and left her with damaged skin on her right hand and chest that limited her mobility. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Sesilia with treatment. On March 10th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her use her hand freely. Now, she needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Sesilia says, “I would like to be able to fully use my right hand. I wish I’ll be able to help with heavy chores around the house and at school.”