In late 2015, Tonk was born prematurely in Thailand and immediately admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. His mother passed away a day later due to a congenital heart problem. The doctors suspected that Tonk had an accumulation of fluid surrounding his brain, and recommended surgery to insert a shunt to divert the excess fluid away from his brain. Tonk’s father could not afford the surgery, and they left the hospital. Two weeks ago, Tonk’s father noticed that Tonk’s head size was increasing. The doctors diagnosed him with hydrocephalus and again recommended surgery, but Tonk’s father could not afford the cost. Tonk’s father constantly worries about his son and cannot concentrate on work. “If I was to pay the amount the first hospital asked for, I would have to save money for 2 years without eating," he shares. $1485 will fund the cost of Tonk’s surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects, explains, “This will alleviate the pressure on his brain from fluid accumulation and help Tonk develop normally.” Tonk's father shares, "Tonk is the only treasure left by my wife. I really want him to grow up well. I always pray for Tonk. I wish that Tonk will have normal development. I will try my best to look after him, acting like both a mother and a father. I want him to be able to study in a good school someday so he will become a successful person when he grows old. I always think about a possible way to find treatment for my son.”

“Manuela is a hardworking mother of 13 children, three of which still live with her,” says our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). The 58-year-old grandmother of 24 from Guatemala “lived for 35 years in a house made of sticks of sugarcane and a tin roof," WK tells us. "Every year the strong winds would destroy her house and she would have to rebuild it.” After years of saving, Manuela and her husband were eventually able to afford a concrete house, where they now live. This past October, Manuela received a pap smear that detected suspicious cell growth. Watsi donors funded the biopsy she needed. “The biopsy revealed that she indeed had cancer and identified how we could proceed with treatment to remove the cells,” WK states. For $605, Manuela will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy--removing her uterus, cervix, and cancerous tissue simultaneously. WK states, “This treatment will save Manuela's life. It will remove her uterus, where the cancerous cells are located and therefore prevent the cancer from spreading and lead to her to being cancer-free.” With this operation, “Manuela will not have to undergo any sort of chemotherapy and she will be able to look forward to the rest of her life with her family and work.” “I am so thankful that you are here," Manuela shares. "My daughter has joined me today to give me courage, but really none of this would have been possible without you."

“Thu is a 42-year-old Burmese woman who lives with her two daughters, ages 19 and nine,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. “Her elder daughter is recently married and her husband lives with the family. Her youngest daughter is a student in grade three. Thu also has two sons who have moved away to start their own families.” Thus has congenital circulatory malformations and heart defects. “Thu first experienced her symptoms, which include chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and high blood pressure, two years ago,” BBP explains. “Prior to the onset of her symptoms, Thu and her oldest daughter worked together selling flowers in the market,” BBP continues. “Their combined income was sufficient for the family’s expenses, but Thu hasn’t been able to handle the physical activity of her work, so her daughter as assumed all work responsibilities.” Complex cardiac treatment and surgery for Thu costs $1,500 and will be performed in Thailand. Burma Children's Medical Fund, an organization that has a strong enough relationship with the relevant Thai authorities to facilitate the transportation to, and treatment of, Burmese people at Thai hospitals, is subsidizing the treatment with an additional $13,525. “Following successful treatment, Thu will be able to return to her family and recommence work so that she can contribute to the family finances,” BBP says. “If I can regain my health, our family situation will improve greatly,” shares Thu.

Meet four-year-old Samryll Ian from the Philippines. He dreams of one day becoming an engineer. Samryll Ian's mother is a saleswoman and his father is a fisherman. "Samryll is a shy boy but loves to play with his siblings," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). Samryll Ian has an anorectal malformation, a defect in the opening at the end of the large intestine through which stool passes. ICM shares, "He tends to be alone and not mingle with other children. Although he does not fully understand his condition, he is still positive that he could be well someday." Because his mother and father's job does not provide the family with a fixed income, the family cannot afford to fund treatment for his condition. For $965, Samryll Ian can receive treatment that will allow him to pass stool normally again. After treatment, "Samryll will have the confidence to play with the other children and pursue his dream to become an engineer," explains ICM. His mother adds, "We want to see him grow normally like any other kids in his school, so that he can fulfill his dreams in the future and help our family go out of poverty."

Janine is a one-year-old baby girl who lives in the Philippines with her family. When she was two months old, Janine began experiencing difficulty passing stool. She was soon diagnosed with Hirschsprung’s disease, a condition where the large intestine causes difficulty passing stool due to missing nerve cells in the colon. “Janine is an active and playful child especially during the days when she feels well, and plays with neighboring children her age,” our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), explains. “She is able to take steps with support but is unable to stand by herself yet." Janine needs a "pull-through" surgery, a procedure which repairs anorectal malformations. Her treatment will cost $1,500. “The treatment would really have a great impact to Janine and to the whole family,” ICM continues. “With it, Janine will be free from further complications. If she becomes well, her mother will be able to do more for the whole family.” “I am asking for your help for my child to be healed and for her not to have difficulty passing stool,” Janine’s mother shares. “We are looking forward to see her grow and become a normal child.” When Janine is treated, her mother is very excited to start her own business to help support her family.

Meet Sambo, a 63-year old grandmother from Cambodia who is married with three sons and six grandchildren. Sambo, “enjoys meditating in her spare time,” says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Sambo has had a mature cataract in her left eye for two months, which has led to partial blindness. A cataract is the clouding of the normally clear eye lens. Her condition has affected her temperament as well as her ability to work, volunteer at the pagoda, and generally walk around. $150 will cover the cost of a surgery to remove the cataract from her left eye and restore her vision. After the surgery, Sambo will be able to see clearly again and regain her independence. "Sambo wants to see everything clearer than now so she can serve monks at the pagoda by cooking food and cleaning around the pagoda," CSC shares.

Meet Kenneth, a 16-year-old budding entrepreneur who lives in Kenya. Kenneth lives with his parents and seven siblings in a farming community. He was recently running home when he fell and severely broke his humerus. Kenneth hasn’t been able to use his left hand or arm since, and needs surgery to repair the fracture. Kenneth completed primary school (class eight) and now earns money selling DVDs in a local market. His income, combined with his parents’ income, is not enough to pay for his surgery. Kenneth tells our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “my parents could not [let me attend] high school because they are poor. That is why I started my small business. I hope to have my own DVD and music shop.” For $1125, Kenneth will undergo open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery to repair the breaks in his humerus and hand. This operation will reset his bones so they heal properly and restore his hand and arm's function. Kenneth says, “I am looking forward to a successful surgery.”

Meet Genesis, a one-year old girl from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) tells us, “Genesis loves the wildflowers that grow around her house. She enjoys picking the flowers to give as gifts to her mother.” At an important point in her early childhood development, Genesis’ growth has been stunted due to acute pediatric malnutrition. WK reports, “Genesis’ height and weight were far below average, and her parents are extremely worried—Genesis’ condition restricts her ability to grow physically and mentally.” Acute malnutrition is a condition in which the body does not intake as many nutrients as it needs to be healthy. The problems caused by this imbalance become more pronounced throughout childhood growth—WK explains, “Genesis is hitting developmental milestones months behind an average child her age.” If left untreated, malnutrition can affect Genesis’ immune system and cause low energy levels. In addition to health-related concerns, Genesis’ relatively slow growth could make schooling difficult, possibly limiting her opportunities later in life. With $535, Genesis will undergo treatment for her acute malnutrition. Over a three-month period, essential nutrients will be gradually introduced into her diet through micronutrient food supplements. This will be done in slow, graduated amounts to allow her body to readjust to the changes. As part of her treatment, WK shares that Genesis will receive “de-worming medication needed for her to increase her overall caloric intake.” To fully address the issue, both of Genesis’ parents will receive intensive training on the causes of malnutrition and how to prevent it in the future. WK expects the course to “build their confidence and improve their ability to care for Genesis throughout her childhood.” “I just want to see her smile," shares Genesis’ mother. "I want to see her run around the house again, and have the energy to play with her toys. I love her so much.”

Meet Sadayo, a toddler from Kenya. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Sadayo has hypospadias: a condition in which “his urethral opening is lower on the head of the shaft of his penis and he [therefore] cannot pass urine normally.” This not only causes pain when Sadayo tries to urinate, but “Sadayo is [also] likely to experience urinary tract infections. He might also suffer impotence if not treated,” shares AMHF. “Sadayo and his mother live in a small shelter lent to them by a well-wisher because they were living on the streets," AMHF continues. "Sadayo's father is mentally challenged and still lives in the streets.” “Sadayo's mother works as a casual laborer; washing people’s clothes and doing any farming tasks to help her support herself and her son” – inconsistent work that fails to provide enough income for Sadayo’s mother to afford the surgery her son needs. Sadayo and his mother were brought to AMHF by a concerned neighbor who saw the baby’s situation and knew that AMHF would be able to help. With $655 in funding, Sadayo will receive the surgery he needs to reconstruct the urinary channel in the proper position, thus correcting the hypospadias. The doctors share, “If treated, Sadayo will be less likely to suffer urinary tract infections and impotence. He will be able to pass urine normally.” In the words of Sadayo’s kindhearted neighbor, “I really feel for this baby, I wish I had better ways of helping him. I have been praying that God may open ways for him to get treatment, and I have no doubts that He has heard my prayers.”

This is Lemoyian, a 67-year-old father and husband from Kenya. Lemoyian is a cattle keeper and “sometimes sells cattle and surplus milk to make money to pay school fees and provide for his family,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, (AMHF) tells us. Due to a cataract in his right eye, Lemoyian has limited vision. “Lemoyian was treated for a cataract of the left eye three years ago and is yet to receive surgery on the other eye,” AMHF continues. “This is because he has not had the finances to pay for another surgery. If the surgery is not done, the condition could get worse and this might lead to permanent blindness in the right eye.” A single eye cataract removal will improve Lemoyian’s eyesight and reduce any pain he may feel. "We expect after a cataract removal, Lemoyian will be able to see again. He will be able to work and support his family," explains AMHF. With our help, Lemoyian will receive the cataract removal surgery he needs. Lemoyian says, “I just want to see!" With $230, we can make sure that happens.

Meet Arebu, a four-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Arebu has Hirschsprung disease -- a condition characterized by missing nerve cells in the large intestine. This essentially paralyzes part of the colon, which makes it very difficult to pass stool. “After suffering for several months at home, Arebu's family went to a hospital and a colostomy (a temporary stool passage hole in his tummy) was done for temporarily relieving the condition," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Arebu has been passing stool per colostomy but Arebu and his family are suffering from issues related to the colostomy. Arebu's family can not even send him to school while he is passing stool via a colostomy.” As a farmer, Arebu’s father does not make enough income to pay for his hospital bills. “The medical care that Arebu has received so far was free treatment at government hospitals and funded by different NGO’s,” notes AMHF. But we can help--for $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will remove the affected part of Arebu’s colon and help restore its functionality. “We expect after surgery, Arebu will be able to pass stool normally," shares AMHF. "Arebu will have a chance of attending school and getting a better life in future."

“I am glad that our daughter will get treatment. I thank God and I am hopeful for a successful surgery,” shares Favour’s mother. Say hello to Favour, a little girl only 15-days-old! Favour was born with spina bifida, which has resulted in a swollen mass on her lower back. If surgery is not done soon, Favour is at risk for developing an infection coupled with a tethered cord, which can lead to kyphosis or scoliosis. She is the last born of her eight siblings and lives with her brothers and sisters and parents in Kenya. Favour’s parents have a small farm where they grow maize and vegetables for their consumption and sell surplus to the market. Their income does not allow to Favour’s parents to pay for the surgery she needs. For $805, we can provide Favour with a spina bifida closure, which will surgically correct the spina bifida. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, “After the surgery, Favour will be able to live a normal life with no risk of infection nor spinal complications.”