Kimathi is a three-month-old boy from Kenya, one of a set of twins. The twins live with their parents and third sibling in the suburbs of Nairobi. When Kimathi was one month old, his parents noticed a swelling that appeared when he coughed or cried. After visiting a nearby clinic, they were told that Kimathi had a left inguinal hernia, which would require surgery. Such an operation was beyond the scope of the facility, so Kimathi was referred to our medical partner’s care center, Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital. There, Kimathi's parents were informed that their son was at risk of blood supply restriction to nearby nerves and tissue. “Watching my son cry in pain is unbearable,” his father says. “His brother is so calm, and I want the same for him.” Kimathi is scheduled to undergo a repair surgery on January 17. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $528 to cover the cost of the operation, medication, and two nights of hospital stay. His family has already contributed $52. After surgery, Kimathi is expected to make a full recovery, developing normally and without pain.

Moh Zin is a 19-year-old student from Burma. She was recently diagnosed with acquired hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid builds up in the brain. With help from Watsi, Moh Zin underwent a [shunt insertion](https://watsi.org/profile/befae6021651-moh-zin), during which doctors inserted a device to drain the fluid from her brain. Prior to her surgery, Moh Zin experienced difficulty urinating and was unable to walk without assistance. She also experienced headaches that made it hard for her to sleep at night. However, after surgery, Moh Zin has been able to walk on her own and is no longer experiencing headaches, enabling her to sleep better. She is also enjoying an increased appetite. Her brother is elated to see his sister in better condition! To check whether the shunt is working properly, Moh Zin's doctor has requested a CT scan. The result of the scan will determine whether she will need another surgery. Moh Zin will be receiving the scan at our medical partner's care center, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, on January 16. Our medical partner is asking for $693 to fund Moh Zin's CT scan and hospital stay fees. "I am very happy to see my sister improving," says Moh Zin's brother. "I can't wait to know if she needs more treatment. We are very excited to go home."

Luzi is a 73-year-old wife and mother of four girls and three boys who lives in Uganda. Her children are all married and taking care of their own families. To earn money for her household, she grows food and sells the surplus. A month ago, Luzi developed a swelling in her left breast that continues to increase in size. She went to a clinic, where she was given painkillers, but they were not of any help. She resorted to using herbs, but they did not help either. Luzi came to our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a fibroadenoma and was advised to have surgery to excise the mass. Without treatment, the mass is likely to continue growing and causing her pain and discomfort. A fibroadenoma is a benign, solid breast tumor that most commonly occurs in women between the ages of 15 and 35. While the cause of fibroadenomas is unknown, hormones are likely contributors given their prevalence during women's reproductive years. Most women with fibroadenomas are not at an increased risk of developing breast cancer. Initially, Luzi was very concerned that she might lose her breast. "I am afraid for my life," she shared. However, after she learned that the surgeon will remove the mass only, she was relieved. Luzi will undergo surgery to excise the mass from her breast on January 18. She needs help to raise $196 to pay for three nights in the hospital, lab tests, a biopsy, and medicine to reduce her pain and prevent infection. After surgery, Luzi hopes to continue working in her gardens and taking care of her husband. Let's help make that happen!

Myint is a 21-year-old man from Burma. His family farms beans and radishes in their village, and his parents also work periodically picking fruit. Myint aspires to become a police officer. When Myint was 17 years old, his peripheral vision started to fail. Over the subsequent two years, his vision continued to deteriorate. After an initial diagnosis of nerve inflammation, a CT scan revealed a benign mass on his pituitary gland. Following surgery, his condition improved. However, his vision problems returned six months ago. Now, he can only see shadows. He also experiences memory difficulties. These symptoms prevent him from living independently, studying, or working. Myint traveled to visit our medical partner's care center. On January 11, Myint will undergo an MRI scan, which will enable his doctor to plan further treatment. Myint’s mother is hopeful for her son's recovery, saying, "When my son was healthy, he enjoyed reading. Unlike now, he was very talkative. I hope that he will recover from this medical condition. I want him to graduate from university studies, and then he wants to become a senior police officer."

Keila is a fifteen-month old girl from Guatemala. She is the youngest in a family of four children. Keila likes playing with toys and watching television. Her favorite food is pasta. Keila was born with several birth defects. She has already received funding from Watsi for [malnutrition](https://watsi.org/profile/5c42dda9c889-keila). Now, she needs treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. On January 17, Keila will undergo a shunt insertion surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Roosevelt. The procedure will drain the fluid from Keila's brain. Keila’s family wants her to get well but can’t afford her treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,445 in funds to cover the cost of Keila's surgery, labs, medication, family lodging, and followup treatments. Keila's mother says, "My hope is for Keila to have a normal life, and for all the people who supported her to see that she was a success." Keila's mother is looking forward to seeing her daughter get back to eating pasta, watching television, and playing with her brother!

Tha Dar is a four-year-old boy who lives with his mother, grandmother, and cousin in Burma. Tha Dar is too young to be in school but his cousin is in grade seven. His mother is a shop vender and she is provider for the family. At three years of age, Tha Dar became ill with fever, cough and sneezing. The family took Tha Dar to the clinic in Thaton and he received oral medication and an injection. One day after returning home, he appeared to have a delayed reaction to the treatment as he became rigid. He fell down and had to be supported by his mother. These symptoms lasted for a week and they returned to another clinic. The clinic gave medicine to the mother for Tha Dar and recommended that she seek a consultation with a neurologist to discuss whether he had nerve damage. The clinic provided medicine but didn’t offer any medical diagnosis for Tha Dar. Tha Dar went back and forth to different hospitals and he received physical therapy treatments for over a month, but his condition has not improved. Currently, he cannot lift his left arm and he cannot grab any object with his left arm. He does not feel pain but his mother very worry that he is not be able to use his left hand again. Tha Dar's family was disappointed that they were unable to gain appreciable medical help for Tha Dar's condition in Burma. His mother on the advice of her aunt brought Tha Dar to Mae Sot to visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC). MTC referred him to Mae Sot Hospital and after visiting Mae Sot Hospital he was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund to be possible surgical patient. Tha Dar has several fractures from his upper arm to his scapula. With $1, 500, the fractures he has will be aligned and allow him to recover his mobility. The family income is sufficient for the family’s basic needs and minor medical concerns; however, they are unable to save any money. Tha Dar’s father is out of the country at this time and presently, he is not sending any money home. Sometimes, the mother’s siblings will help out with finances occasionally. Tha Dar's mother said: "I want my son to go to school next year, get education, and then he can help work in Burma and help the country."

Two-month-old Gregorio lives with his parents and older sibling in Guatemala. “Gregorio is acutely malnourished due to his mother's lack of breast milk,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us. “His mother is not able to produce enough breast milk for him to survive, meaning that he weighs even less than when he was born.” While Gregorio’s mother takes care of the children during the day, his father leaves their home early every morning to chop wood on the mountain and sell it in town. Despite the long hours of hard work, his father earns very little money and can afford only very basic foods like tortillas. As a result, the family is unable to buy formula for Gregorio. “Gregorio’s mother has been supplementing the little milk she makes with water, which depletes Gregorio’s electrolytes and puts him at risk of seizures and permanent brain damage,” WK continues. The inability to produce breast milk—known as lactational failure—is a serious condition for a newborn baby without access to formula. Fortunately, treatment for Gregorio is possible. “Formula will give Gregorio the nutrients, calories, and protein he needs to grow,” WK explains, “His mother will receive one-on-one motivational nutrition education to prepare her to give him solid foods and teach her how to prevent future malnutrition.” $1,016 pays for a one year’s supply of formula and six months of micronutrient support for Gregorio. Funding also covers the cost of a case manager and a nutritionist to help Gregorio’s mother coordinate his care, plan his meals, and monitor his progress. With treatment, “Gregorio's immune system will grow stronger, saving his life and helping his family to be much less stressed economically,” says WK.

On April 10, 2016, Neema was born with a lesion on her lower back which is leaking cerebral spinal fluid. "If not treated," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tells us, "Neema will be at risk of easily contracting infections. She is also at risk of developing hydrocephalus." Neema is the youngest of four children and lives with her parents and siblings in Tanzania. Neema's mother is a homemaker and her father owns a small business where he sells mats. Although they both work hard, their combined incomes are not enough to cover the operation that Neema needs, as well as the cost of rent and expenses related to their other children. $1,200 will ensure that Neema receives the treatment she needs, which will keep her from developing hydrocephalus - a more serious brain condition - in the future. “I pray that my baby will get well and grow up like her siblings,” said Neema’s mother.

“I would love to get well and go back to work,” shares Walter, a 50-year-old widower from Kenya who fractured his left upper and lower leg in a motorcycle accident last fall. “Before the accident, Walter had been a casual laborer, moving from one homestead to another in search of casual labor for sustenance,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Since the accident, he has been unable to work on people’s farms due to his painful leg. With no income and no contact with his two daughters, Walter has had to rely on friends for financial support. “He has no place to call home, he owns nothing, and relies on [a friend] for his upkeep.” Walter needs surgery—open reduction and internal fixation—to reposition and set the broken bones of his upper and lower left leg and enable proper healing. Without treatment, “the pain will persist and there [is a risk of a] bone infection in Walter's leg,” explains AMHF. $1,410 pays for the surgery that Walter needs. Funding also covers the cost of seven days of hospital care, including imaging, blood tests, pain medicine and antibiotics, and physical therapy. “It is expected that after the treatment, Walter will have easy mobility and will be relieved of the pain,” says AMHF. “He will be able to work and earn a living.” Walter looks forward to a successful operation. “I will improve my life and help others as I have been assisted,” he said.

Loun is a 56-year-old grandmother from Cambodia. She has two sons, two daughters, and five grandchildren in her large family. Loun is a patient with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). “Loun developed a cataract in each eye 6 months ago," CSC explains. "This causes her blurred vision, tearing, and she is afraid of sunshine. She can't see everything clearly, do work well, or go anywhere outside." Cataracts occur when the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, which causes decreased vision and functional blindness. In Cambodia, 90% of blindness could be avoided through proper treatment. As with many countries in the developing world, surgical services are inadequate and cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. Even where surgical services are available, barriers to surgery remain such as cost, shortage of human resources, poor infrastructure, and limited awareness about access to available services. $225 funds cataract surgery that will remove the cloudy lenses from both of her eyes and replace them with artificial lenses. Funding for her surgery includes post-operative care, and after the surgery, she will be able to see clearly again. Loun enjoys listening to the social news on the radio and watching Khmer dramas. Let's help her resume the activities she enjoys.

Meet Chum! Chum is a 57-year-old rice and crop farmer from Cambodia. Nearly one year ago, Chum developed a cataract in each eye. Cataracts are the result of excess proteins forming on the lens of the eye, which make the lens cloudy and difficult to see. According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), the cataracts are significantly interfering with his daily life. “Chum has blurred vision, tearing, irritation, and has even become afraid of sunshine.” Since he can’t see everything clearly, it has affected his ability to do work or even go anywhere outside. Hoping to get treatment for his cataracts, Chum has traveled 3 hours to the local care center with his wife. Doctors from CSC have recommended that Chum undergo a short operation. An incision will be made in each eye to replace the clouded lens with new artificial implants. $225 will cover the cost of the surgery, medicine, and hospital fees. Chum is married with 4 sons, 5 daughters, and 20 grandchildren. He enjoys watching boxing on TV in his free time and is excited to be able to see again to “continue work on the farm, plant rice, and go anywhere he wants,” shares CSC. His family are also looking forward to having him regain his eyesight. “I hope I can stop worrying about my husband’s vision loss,” shares his wife. Let's help Chum get the care he needs.

Ganesh is a 20-year-old college student who lives with his parents in Nepal. Committed to helping his family financially, Ganesh works full-time at a stone factory while pursuing his bachelor’s degree in business administration. “Ganesh was working in the stone factory when he fell from a height of six feet and ended up fracturing his right arm,” our medical partner, Possible, tells us. “The area of injury has swollen considerably, and he is in a lot of pain.” The injury has not only impacted Ganesh’s ability to work and attend school, but it has also limited his day-to-day activities. “Ganesh has not been able to do even his basic activities like eating, getting dressed, or using the washroom on his own since the accident,” says Possible. Treatment for Ganesh is surgery in which his broken arm “will be aligned correctly and secured with the help of a plate to ensure it heals well,” explains Possible. $579 covers the cost of surgery for Ganesh as well as the costs of four nights in the hospital, X-rays, physiotherapy, medicine to relieve pain and prevent infection, and cast removal after his arm has healed. "I have a lot of responsibilities,” shares Ganesh. “I wish for my arm to be fixed soon so that I can go back to work once it heals.”