“Cheptores is a beautiful and happy seven-year-old girl, the fifth born in a family of six,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Cheptores is currently in nursery school. She enjoys school very much and is sad that she has not been able to attend over the last couple of months.” Seven-year-old Cheptores "was bitten by a snake while she was sleeping two months ago,” reports AMHF. “She developed a large wound on her hand as a result of the bite and has not been able to attend school since.” Her wound is not healing and thus requires surgery to remove damaged tissue and prevent further complications. “If the surgery is not done soon, Cheptores is likely to suffer infection, which could lead to amputation of the hand.” Cheptores’ family is unable to afford the procedure necessary to treat her wound. “Her parents both work as casual workers on neighboring farms in order to support their family,” explains AMHF. Her uncle continues: “They need every cent they earn from work in order to put food on the table.” With $940 in funding, Cheptores can receive a debridement and skin graft procedure to remove dead tissue from her wound, transplant skin to the afflicted area, and repair tendon or nerve damage, improving the healing potential of remaining healthy tissue. This cost subsidizes surgical supplies, hospital stay, medicines, laboratory work, and physiotherapy. “We expect that after the surgery and recovery, the wound will heal and Cheptores will no longer be at risk of infection,” says AMHF. “She will be able to go back to school next term.”

Meet Akimu, a newborn baby boy from Malawi. Akimu is the second-born child to a family that farms cotton. Akimu, a patient with our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), has a condition called hydrocephalus, which means that he has a build-up of fluid in the cavities deep within the brain. The condition causes head enlargement in infants and can cause muscular and cognitive disorders if not treated promptly. Akimu's head has become too big for his neck to support it. He also has poor sight -- another common symptom of the condition. For $992, we can treat Akimu with a procedure that will use a shunt to drain the excess fluid from the brain. The costs cover direct surgical costs as well as lab costs, medical costs, and travel and lodging costs. "I hope that the surgery can improve the life of my son," his mother shares.

Cesar is a one-year-old boy who lives in Guatemala with his mother, father and eight siblings. To support all of his children, Cesar’s father spends his days farming while Cesar’s mother cares for the family and weaves blouses. “Cesar has suffered from a chronic respiratory illness since he was born, and has been to the government health center several times,” reports our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “The center told his mother that Cesar was malnourished but did not offer her any support to deal with the diagnosis.” As a result of his malnutrition, Cesar has a weakened immune system that fuels illness—often causing him to come down with the flu or a throat infection. Cesar is also at a very low height and weight for his age, indicating that his lack of nutrition is indeed having a detrimental impact on his growth and development. Without intervention, malnutrition can have serious consequences for Cesar’s health. His immune system will weaken, putting him at risk for illness and infection, and he will begin to miss major developmental milestones. This could lead to difficulty participating in school as the illness and exhaustion resulting from malnutrition often make it difficult to concentrate. Cesar’s mother does not know what steps to take to help her son, nor does the family have the funds to afford treatment. With $535 in Watsi funding, Cesar and his family will receive intensive nutritional supplements and education. “Cesar will receive doctor visits and micronutrient and food supplementation,” explains WK. “Growth monitoring will also allow us to follow his progress and adjust his treatment plan accordingly.” “This treatment will increase Cesar’s ability to grow physically and mentally, as well as strengthen his immune system for years to come,” WK reports. Cesar’s mother will also receive the nutritional education necessary to make healthful choices for Cesar and his siblings in the future. This treatment will have a positive impact on Cesar’s entire family. “It is a huge help for Cesar because we have such scarce resources. I am so grateful,” his mother remarks.