Veasna is a happy 4-year-old who loves soccer, cars, and watching cartoons on his mom's phone! His parents work in clothing factories supplying major global retailers, and while they are at work, Veasna's grandparents and family neighbors help care for him. About two years ago, Veasna burned his left hand in an accident. Since then, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the skin around the fingers. When Veasna's parents learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On February 6th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to improve the functioning of Veasna's hand by releasing the scar tissue on three of his fingers. CSC is requesting $495 to fund this procedure and Veasna's family contributed $100 to his care. Veasna shared, "I hope I can use my hand more easily and play with my toys."

Phyu is a 32-year-old mother of three from Thailand. She resides with her family in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp along the Thai-Burma border where she also teaches at the camp school. During her free time, Phyu enjoys spending quality time with her family. Since August 2023, Phyu has been experiencing pain in her abdomen, pelvis, and lower back, along with irregular menstruation. She has been diagnosed with left ovarian cyst, and has been advised to undergo a hysterectomy, which surgically removes of her uterus and ovaries. If left untreated, Phyu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Phyu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on February 23rd. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Phyu will be relieved of her pain and able to resume her daily activities. Phyu said, “With my current condition, I cannot teach my students, do household chores for my children, or assist my husband. I am looking forward to a complete recovery soon."

Su is a 12-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her older brother and parents in Karen State, Burma. Su is a student who aspires to become a doctor in the future. Su’s father is a store night security guard and her mother sells watermelons. Four years ago, Su's skin started looking pale and yellowish. She also began experiencing abdominal swelling. Su was diagnosed with thalassemia, a blood disorder that affects the oxygen carried by red blood cells. Physicians at Mae Sot General Hospital determined that Su should undergo a splenectomy, a procedure that helps manage thalassemia. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund this procedure. The treatment is scheduled to take place at Mae Sot General Hospital on April 15th. Once completed, it will hopefully improve Su's quality of life. Su's mother said, "We are under stress that we are in debt as we have to travel and pay for Su's consultations. I hope that Su will get treatment and recover. I want her to become a doctor one day."

Sok Neng, who is 18 years old, lives with his parents near the Vietnamese border. His parents have been spice sellers in the local market for several years. Sok Neng enjoys growing fruits and vegetables around his home, while also working at the market stall with his parents. In August 2023, Sok Neng was in a motorbike accident on a dark road, and broke his right femur. He traveled for three and a half hours to a major hospital in the capital city of Phnom Penh for treatment, but due to a lack of funds, he left after the doctors said that he needed surgery. Since then, Sok Neng has been receiving treatment from a traditional healer in the village. Unfortunately, the fracture has not healed, and he lives in chronic pain, unable to walk or to work. Sok Neng once again traveled three and a half hours to Phnom Penh to seek help, after a referral from another doctor. On February 7th, he will undergo an osteotomy and a bone plate procedure on his right femur, at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is seeking $469 to fund this surgery, which will align the bone in Sok Neng's leg, enabling him to finally walk again. Sok Neng shared: "I hope I can walk on my own and go back to work to help my family."

Aye is a 25-year-old woman from Thailand. She lives with her parents, grandfather, aunt, brother, sister and daughter. She and her sister are homemakers, while her father is a day labourer. Her brother works in a garment factory, and her mother and aunt are unemployed. Since Aye was 12 years old, she has experienced difficulty passing urine on and off. In October, this worsened and she now has blood in her urine and severe pain in her lower back. Doctors want Aye to undergo a CT scan, a procedure in which x-ray images taken from several angles are combined to produce cross-sectional images of the body. This scan will hopefully help doctors diagnose her condition and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $414 to cover the cost of Aye's CT scan and care, scheduled for December 20th. Aye said, "I have been experiencing these symptoms for so many years but because of financial problems, I have never receive proper treatment."

Junoir is a student from Kenya, currently he is in fifth grade. He resides in the interiors of Igembe North County and is the eldest child of three. He has twin younger sisters. Junoir and his family live on Junior's grandfather’s land, where his mother grows maize and beans. They have a single room house built of poles and an open kitchen roofed with a polythene paper. Junior's mother uses the money she gets from her daily jobs to pay for her children's school supplies and household necessities. For ten months, Junoir has been experiencing pain in his left groin from a symptomatic hernia. He was taken to the nearby health center where he was treated for an infection. He improved, but the pain recurred. He was referred to a regional clinic, but they did not have transportation. Later Maua Methodist Hospital announced a medical camp near them, and it was a great relief to Junior and also his mother. He was seen by the doctors in the medical camp and referred to the hospital where they found left testicular swelling from the hernia. If not treated, it can progress to intestinal complications. Fortunately, on February 15th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $733 to fund Junoir's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Junior's mother says, "Please help my son so that he can continue with schooling with ease. I believe he has a bright future ahead”.

Visal is a 16-month-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and brother in Kep province. His father works as a construction worker, while his mother works as a grocery seller and cares for the children at home. At home, Visal enjoys playing with his older brother and taking naps. In September 2023, Visal suffered a burn injury from hot water on his right finger. Now, burn scar contractures have developed, tightening the 2nd and 3rd fingers of his right hand. It is difficult for him to grab objects, and limits the function of his hand. When Visal's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled for two and a half hours seeking treatment. On April 25th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help him use his hand easily again. Visal's family is able to contribute $100 but needs help to raise $395 more to fund this procedure. Visal's father shared, "I hope my son will be able to use his hand easily again and have no problems in the future."

Sobel is an unemployed 21-year-old who lives in Phnom Penh province with six other members of his family - his father and five siblings who all live together at home. His father is retired. Before his injury, Sobel had an engineering job and enjoyed playing volleyball with friends. In July 2023, on his way home from work, Sobel's motorcycle skidded on the rain-soaked surface, sending him crashing onto the pavement. He lost consciousness for several hours. His sister took him to a local hospital with a skull fracture, broken collarbone, and broken upper arm. He 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. Sobel is unable to lift his shoulder or hand, consequently stripping away his ability to work. The thought of navigating life with only one arm is hard for him to imagine. Sobel traveled to Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre to receive treatment. This is the only center in the whole country where this treatment is available. On January 2nd, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, he hopes to restore function in his arm and hand and find a job to help his family. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $709 to fund this procedure. Sobel said: "I want to work like before and hope the surgeons can help me."

John is a quiet 11-year-old boy from Kenya. John's story is a journey of compassion and the unwavering support of a dedicated well-wisher. His origin is drawn back in Tanzania, where he faced the disturbing reality of being disowned by his real parents due to his disability on his feet. John was left helpless in the unfamiliar surroundings of central Kenya. For the past seven years his guardian has stood by his side, offering not just a shelter but also a sense of belonging. John’s chapter started to change when a team of AIC Cure International doctors visited his neighborhood for a mobile clinic. He was reviewed and scheduled for surgery and underwent a successful surgery on his left foot and his left foot has healed well. John still has clubfoot of right foot. He is currently in the hospital to undergo right foot treatment, which involves serial casting to adjust the position of his foot to achieve the desired correction. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Surgeons from our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital are scheduled to now perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 19th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund John's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. Once he heals, John aspires to go back to school and study and one day achieve his dream of becoming a doctor in future. John told us: “I am looking forward to seeing my foot corrected, walking properly, playing football with my friends and continuing with my studies like other children, and achieving my dream of becoming a doctor in future to also impact lives of children born like me."

Antonio is a 60-year-old man from Philippines, married with three children. He works as a driver at a local government unit and earns about $173 a month. Last year, Antonio began having troubling symptoms, including pain in the abdominal area that radiated through his lower back. He went to the hospital for consultation and was diagnosed with chronic calculous cholecystitis, which is an ongoing swelling and inflammation of the gall bladder. Antonio has been advised to undergo a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder. If left untreated, his symptoms will continue to worsen, putting him at risk for further health complications in the future and threaten his ability to earn an income. On April 29th, Antonio is scheduled to undergo a cholecystectomy through our partner World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP). A portion of the cost of the procedure is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and Antonio needs help in raising the remaining $1,128 to cover the cost of his surgery and care. Antonio says, "I am very grateful to be a beneficiary of Watsi. This will help me recover from my condition without being in monetary debt. Thank you very much for this opportunity."

Pich is a 70-year-old grandmother who has lived with her daughter since her husband died of COVID last year. She cares for her granddaughter while her daughter works. Pich used to sell delicious Khmer cakes near their house but has stopped due to her declining vision. At home, she likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio. Two years ago, Pich developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and constant tearing. She feels depressed because she is often alone all day at home. A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, so it is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, including colors and faces, and is worried about falling when walking, so she is not able to go places on her own. When Pich learned about our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On December 7th, doctors will perform phacoemulsification and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Pich is able to contribute towards the cost of the surgery and needs help raising $253 to fund her surgery. Pich shared, "I hope after my operation I can see well again and go outside by myself."

Norlan is a 35-year-old father from the Philippines. Norlan did not finish his education, but as a father he is committed to making sure his two children finish school so they will not have to experience the hardships he experienced. He also dreams of going abroad to make sure his children will live a better life. Norlan currently works as a tricycle driver and earns $14 a day, which is mostly dedicated to the family's daily needs. Two years ago, Norlan began to experience troubling symptoms, including irritation, pain, and bowel obstruction. His condition affected his work and therefore the family's income. Norlan needs surgery to prevent his symptoms from getting worse. Fortunately, our medical partner, World Surgical Foundation Philippines (WSFP), is helping Norlan receive treatment. He is scheduled to undergo surgery on February 3rd at WSFP's care center. A portion of the cost of his treatment is being supported by the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and WSFP is raising the remaining $1,285 to cover the cost of Norlan's procedure and care. "I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity because my income is not enough for the surgery and hospitalization," says Norlan. "We have nothing else to rely on so I am grateful to this organization and grateful to the people behind this."