Gerald, a 36-year-old small-scale farmer from Uganda, is married with three children. Gerald and his wife make their living through farming. For the past three months, Gerald has been suffering from a right abdominal hernia. This hernia causes him pain when farming and swelling when he does heavy work. He is no longer able to work for long periods at a time, a direct impact on his livelihood, which has prompted him to seek medical attention. Gerald sought medical attention at Rushoroza Hospital from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Gerald's doctors recommended a hernia repair surgery. Fortunately, on February 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Rushoroza Hospital. AMH is requesting $170 to fund Gerald's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Gerald says, “I am in pain, and I need help. I hope that my productivity through farming will increase after surgery.”

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."

Saoratt is an inquisitive 3-year-old toddler from Cambodia. Saoratt is an only child and lives with his parents and his grandparents in Kampong Speu province. Saoratt's parents work in a local factory and his grandparents grow rice on their ancestral land. Saoratt is too young to attend school, but likes to play with neighbors or go out to the rice paddies with his grandparents. Saoratt's favorite meal is chicken and ice cream! Saoratt suffered an electric burn on his left fingers in April 2022. Saoratt visited a local hospital for burn care but has now developed skin contractures on his fingers. Saoratt cannot hold anything with his left hand, and cries out in pain if his mother tries to straighten his fingers. When Saoratt's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On January 3rd surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery that will help Saoratt hold objects and bend and straighten his fingers. Now, CSC is helping Saoratt's family raise $495 to fund this procedure. Saoratt's mother shared, "I feel so bad my son's fingers were burned, and I hope the doctors can fix them so he can be like other children."