Meet Brian, a playful boy from Kenya. At four years old, he is his parents’ only child. When he was two years old, Brian was playing at home and badly burned his left hand in hot water. Although he was admitted to the hospital for two weeks, his hand did not heal properly. The wound site now bears contractures, or shortened, rigid muscles and skin. As a result, Brian is not able to fully extend or use his left hand. Without further treatment, Brian will likely live the rest of his life with an impaired hand. The wound could even get worse once he begins playing more with other children, as his risk of re-injuring the vulnerable tissue will be increased. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Brian is scheduled to undergo surgery on his hand to increase mobility on July 3. Although his family is able to contribute $208 towards his medical bills, Brian is still in need of $1,176 to cover the rest of his expenses. “I want my son to have a fully functional hand,” shares Brian’s father. “I will thank God when this happens.”

Baby Lynn is a five-year-old girl from the Philippines who loves to play with her dolls. Baby Lynn was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on July 4, Baby Lynn will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Baby Lynn with nutrient enriched food packs to help her gain weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. The program will also teach her family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their daughter. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Baby Lynn's ongoing care. "We hope our daughter can finish her education," her mother says.

Jobi is 17 months old. He is underweight and very small for his age. He loves to play with toy cars and eat his favorite food, noodles. Jobi lives with his family in Guatemala’s rural highlands. His father works far away from the family and is often not home. His mother takes care of the family and their household needs. Jobi has malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. Jobi’s family hopes he will grow to be big and strong, but they do not have the resources to pay for his malnutrition treatment. Fortunately, malnutrition is very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will give Jobi the opportunity to play, grow, and participate in his family’s lives with a healthy brain and body. Community health workers will teach Jobi's mother how to create a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $492 to fund Jobi's treatment. Jobi’s mother says, “I am grateful to enter into the program, for due to our lack of resources I cannot buy my children everything they need. I hope to see changes in my son.”

Diego is a six-month-old baby boy from Guatemala. He is his parents' second child. Diego's mother takes care of the family's household, and his father works as a tailor. Diego was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. On June 9, Diego will begin growth monitoring at Clinic Panajachel, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to cover the cost of Diego's micronutrients and food supplementation. Funds will also go towards an educational program that will teach Diego's mother how to create nutrient-rich diets for him using limited resources. Diego's parents are very grateful for all the donors' support!

Manuela is a 16-year-old girl. She is in the tenth grade and would like to be a doctor or a scientist when she grows up. Manuela lives in the Dominican Republic with her mother, father, and three younger brothers. Manuela has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. This means a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through the holes without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak. Although Manuela is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Manuela will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Manuela also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Manuela's surgical care. Manuela says, "I am excited to have surgery so I can stop worrying about my heart problem from now on."

Lyson is a 71-year-old farmer from Malawi who lives with his wife near their children and grandchildren. In his free time, he likes to do carpentry work and listen to the radio. For the past four months, Lyson has been experiencing pain and difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate, a relatively common condition often found in older men. Though the enlargement is benign and easily treated with surgery, Lyson has not been able to access proper medical resources. If left untreated, he could be at risk of urinary tract infections and even bladder or kidney damage. $733 will pay for the costs of Lyson's operation, during which doctors will surgically remove part of the enlarged prostate gland. After the procedure, Lyson will be free of his pain and urinary symptoms. Lyson is excited to have the surgery and is looking forward to returning to farming maize and groundnuts. "I appreciate this very much," Lyson says.

Kian is an eight-month-old baby boy from the Philippines. He lives with his family in a small house made of bamboo. They have no access to electricity, and they get their water supply from a well. Kian's father works as a fisherman, but he does not have a permanent income. Kian loves to roll on his bed and listen to nursery rhymes with his mother. Kian has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Fortunately, on February 23, Kian will begin $184 malnutrition treatment. Kian will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Kian's mother says, "I hope my child can recover from malnutrition and become healthy and strong in the future. I am excited for the treatment and its outcome"

Chheng Nang is 65 years old. She is married and has three sons, three daughters, and nine grandchildren. She likes to go to the pagoda to listen to monks pray, chat with neighbors, and look after her grandchildren. Two years ago, Chheng Nang developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, and headaches. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, do any work, and go anywhere on her own. Chheng Nang is worried about going blind. Chheng Nang heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from her neighbor. She traveled for three hours with her daughter-in-law to reach CSC for treatment. On January 19, doctors will perform an extracapsular cataract extraction and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. CSC is requesting $292 to fund this procedure. After surgery, Chheng Nang will be able to see clearly again.

Pheap is a 39-year-old hairdresser who has one son and two daughters. He likes to watch comedy programs and Chinese movies on TV. Four years ago, Pheap developed a pterygium in each eye, causing him blurred vision and itchiness. It became difficult for him to see things clearly, work, and go anywhere outside on his own. Pheap traveled for three hours with his niece to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On December 19, eye surgeons at CSC removed the pterygium from each eye to allow Pheap to see clearly again. Now, CSC is requesting $148 to fund this procedure. "I hope that I look better and no longer experience burning," says Pheap, "so that I can work easily and go places on my own."

Vorn is a 69-year-old farmer with three sons and two daughters. He likes to watch TV and listen to the radio. Vorn has been experiencing knee pain for two years. In October, Vorn injured his right foot on sheet metal, causing a laceration and severed nerves. It became even more difficult for Vorn to move around, and he was in pain. After learning about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Vorn traveled for three hours with his son to reach CSC for treatment. On October 27, surgeons repaired three tendons in his right foot. After recovery, he should be able to walk easily. Now, he needs help to fund this $450 procedure. "I hope I can walk normally again and without pain," says Vorn.

Byaruhanga is 33-years-old, married and father of one from Uganda. Both of his parents passed on. He went to school up to Primary Two because he had no one to pay for his education. He is a peasant farmer, but he doesn’t have enough land to make a living. Byaruhanga produces food for home consumption and sells a little surplus for buying basic items at home. Byaruhanga has lived with left scrotal swelling that is on and off for six years. He has never reported his condition to any hospital because of lack of money. When the swelling is on, he feels a lot of pain and he doesn’t want to walk. Byaruhanga is uncomfortable and worried about his condition. He kept asking what would happen to his life if he doesn’t get an opportunity to have surgery. For $185, Byaruhanga will undergo surgery at Holy Family Virika Hospital in Uganda. After surgery, he hopes to regain his comfort and to live with no more worries about the swelling.

Mugume is a 39-year-old married man from Uganda who has four children. He and his wife are peasant farmers, and he also does some trading to earn additional money. Even with the extra work, the family's income is minimal, making it difficult to save funds and also provide for the family's needs. Mugume has lived with left scrotal swelling since February 1996. He visited a hospital that year and was diagnosed with a hernia. Over the years, the swelling has increased, making him feel uncomfortable and weak. Mugume visited a hospital again last year and was correctly diagnosed with a hydrocele. A hydrocele is a sac of watery fluid around one or both testicles that causes swelling in the scrotum or groin. The fluid comes from the abdomen and travels along the same paths that the testes follow when they descend into the scrotum before or shortly after birth. While hydroceles may occur at any age, the cause of their development is generally unknown. Mugume will need surgery to treat the hydrocele. During the operation, the surgeon will make a small incision in the scrotum to remove the sac of fluid and then use stitches to close the path between the scrotum and abdomen so that no more fluid can accumulate. The process for Mugume to receive free surgical care has been lengthy, and his family cannot afford to pay for his treatment in a private hospital. If not treated, he will continue experiencing pain and discomfort. “The process for me to get free surgery has become very long, and I’ve lost hope that I will get treatment," shares Mugume. For $185, Mugume will undergo a hydrocele repair to decrease the scrotal swelling. Funding also covers the cost of a three-night hospital stay, an ultrasound scan, and medicine to prevent infection. Mugume hopes to have a successful operation so that he can concentrate on agriculture to earn more money for his family. "I will be glad if you help me," he says.