Kyarisiima is 21 years old and works as a hotel attendant in Uganda. She lives with her parents, who are farmers, and her six siblings. Kyarisiima has had a swelling on her right axilla (the space below the shoulder) for four years. The swelling has affected her work performance due to the pain and discomfort it causes. Previously, Kyarisiima sought treatment for the swelling at a hospital, and she was advised to have the mass surgically removed, but she was unable to earn enough money to pay for the procedure. Having heard of Watsi’s programs with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), at Nyakibale Hospital, she decided to seek help again. Kyarisiima was diagnosed with a right anterior axilla lipoma and doctors recommend mass excision surgery. AMHF requests $187 to pay for the operation, an overnight hospital stay, lab tests, medicine, and supplies. She will undergo surgery to excise the mass on September 14. After the procedure, Kyarisiima's discomfort will decrease, and her quality of life will improve. “I hope to continue with my work as a hotel attendant after recovery from the surgery,” she shares.

Milvia was born only a week ago--but was premature. Milvia is also a twin--a surprise her parents got when they were born! Unfortunately her and her sister Yolanda are both underweight, and her mother is having trouble producing breastmilk--leaving both babies with dangerous weight loss and failure to grow. Without sufficient breastmilk during this delicate time, Milvia's brain development could be permanently affected, she could be at risk of seizures because of hormonal imbalances due to her mother giving her sugar water, and if she gets sick now, it could be life-threatening. Milvia and her sister are constantly crying because they are hungry--making her whole family distressed and feeling powerless to help their daughters. Milvia lives with her 6 brothers and sisters and her parents in a humble home made of adobe with a tin roof. Millie's mother weaves typical Mayan textiles to make money at home while taking care of her children. Her father works as a day laborer, harvesting crops for long hours. Between the two of them, they bring in only a couple dollars per day for the whole family--nowhere near enough to purchase the life-saving formula she and her sister need. Despite being dangerous, this condition is incredibly easy to treat. Milvia will be enrolled on November 16 to receive formula and her parents will receive nutritional education, giving Milvia the treatment she needs now to grow big and strong, and giving her family the tools to recognize and prevent future cases of malnutrition. Her mother said, "I hope that my daughters grow big and healthy without health problems. I want to see my daughters grow to be healthy, intelligent, and in the long term be able to study."

Meet Milton, a 14-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. “Milton lives with his parents and sister on a property that they share with both sets of grandparents,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us. “Milton is suffering from acute malnutrition. He is both underweight for his age and his height is extremely below the average for his age,” says WK. “He is frequently ill with diarrhea and his mother says that she wants to help but feels she doesn’t have the knowledge or resources.” Neither of Milton’s parents are highly educated, which is typical in the area the family lives in. They support the family farming corn and often have a difficult time affording food. As a result, Milton’s diet is mainly beans and rice with very little fruits or vegetables. For $535, Milton will receive the care he needs from doctors and nutritionists. “This treatment will supply Milton with the growth monitoring, micronutrient and food supplementation, and medication for him to recoup some of the weight and height he has lost and treat the parasitic infection causing his diarrhea,” explains WK. “His parents will receive intensive nutrition education, thus building their confidence and ability to care for Milton throughout his childhood and perhaps even prevent malnutrition in any future children that may enter the family.” With the chance to access this care, Milton will not face the long-term consequences of malnutrition. He will have more energy and will not be at risk of chronic illness throughout his adult life. Without these obstacles, he will be able to reach his physical and mental potential, therefore giving him the opportunity to succeed in school and begin building a future for himself. “My dream for my boy is that he grows up and can graduate school. God gave me a son and so I have to fight for him,” says Milton's mother.

This is James, a 19-day-old baby boy from Haiti! He has two loving parents with two siblings, who are looking forward to playing with their new brother once he comes home. James was born with a birth defect called an omphalocele, meaning that his intestines are outside his abdomen. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, explains, “The disease causes the baby to become underweight, as he is not fed well. He has severe abdominal pains and an infection of his navel.” With James' life-threatening symptoms, he will not be able to return to home unless his condition is surgically repaired. Both of James parents are currently unemployed. His father works as a laborer and his mother takes care of their children and prepares food. They are not able to afford treatment for James. For $1,500, we can pay for a surgical intervention to correct James' omphalocele and make sure he heals correctly with antibiotics. “I just wish to see my baby healthy and okay to come home to join our family," says James' mom. Let’s help get James home to meet his siblings!