Khin is a 17-year-old student from Burma. She lives with her mother and step-father in Mandalay Division in Burma. Her mother works as laundrywoman for her neighbors, and her step-father works as daily laborer in construction sites. Khin was born with the help of traditional birth attendant. When she was one year old, she was constantly tired and inactive. Khin's mother was worried for her and took her to a hospital in Burma. The doctor diagnosed her with a congenital heart defect called Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). In 2017, Khin's symptoms became much more severe. She has difficulty breathing and cannot walk long distances. Fortunately, Khin learned about our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). At BCMF's care center, surgeons can perform a heart surgery to treat the defect. Treatment is scheduled for March 16, and Khin needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this procedure. Khin says, "I want to continue my study after I recover. In the future, I want to become a teacher."

Nengai is a young student from Tanzania. She loves school and enjoys playing football. Her mother passed away when she was only eight years old. Nengai lives withe her brother, who works as a welder. Since she was two years old, Nengai has been experiencing difficulty breathing. Frequent illness causes Nengai to miss school. Nengai was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause her symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Nengai, which is scheduled to take place on February 8. Surgeons will remove her tonsils, hopefully relieving Nengai of her symptoms and helping her live more comfortably. Nengai says, “I will be glad if I will no longer be sick regularly. Thank you for helping me get this treatment.”

Amosi is a farmer from Malawi. He lives with his wife, and they have six grown children. To supplement the family income, Amosi raises goats . In his free time, he likes to attend his local church with his family. Since October 2017, Amosi has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Amosi's surgery. On January 9, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Amosi and his wife were thrilled to learn his surgery would be funded. He is ready to have his procedure so he can get back to his farm and once again be active. He says, "Thank you for this welcome!"

Cesar is a 50-year-old married father of four who lives in Guatemala's rural highlands. His and his wife's joint sales of small rings provides a source of family income. For years, Cesar worked as an agricultural laborer in the local countryside. Unfortunately, Cesar suffered an accident that resulted in the need for an amputation of his leg at the hip. For many years now, Cesar has struggled to walk, go to work, and complete daily tasks. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,166 to cover the cost of a prosthetic leg for Cesar. The start of Cesar's fitting and molding sessions is scheduled for July 7. Receiving this prosthesis will positively impact Cesar's life, hopefully allowing him to walk more easily, comfortably, and independently. “I hope that by recovering my leg I can do something with my life. With our business we only earn pennies. Hopefully with the new leg I will be able to do something new, something unique,” expresses Cesar.

Talusha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, brothers, and sisters in a small coastal town in northern Haiti. She is in fourth grade and enjoys going to school, especially studying math and science. Talusha has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving her sickly and weak. Talusha will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. She will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a catheter to close the hole in her heart with a device. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Talusha's family also needs help to fund the costs of travel, scheduled for November 3. The $1,343 bill covers her flight to the hospital. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, will also provide support to the family as they travel overseas. We are also fundraising for her [surgical prep costs](https://watsi.org/profile/abb173404d69-talusha). She says, "I am excited to get on a plane for the first time and see another country!"

Jackyto is a six-year-old boy from southern Haiti. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and drawing. Jackyto has four siblings and his parents are farmers. Jackyto was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This means he has a hole between two chambers of his heart and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to his body, leaving him sick and weak. Although Watsi has already funded Jackyto's [transportation](https://watsi.org/profile/e95b7420cae8-jackyto) to the hospital for his surgery, he is still in need of $1,500 to cover exams, heart surgery prep, and medications. Have a Heart Cayman is also contributing $22,000 to the costs of his heart surgery. "I am so thankful Jackyto will be able to travel for his surgery!" says Jackyto’s mother.

Mu is 68 years old and lives with her family in a village in Burma. She does not work anymore and relies on her two children to provide for her. About a month ago, Mu’s finger started to itch, and she developed bullae, a fluid-filled sac. That turned into an ulcer, and the bones of her ring finger were exposed more and more. On July 25, half her ring finger was amputated, but the ulcer continued causing her finger to deteriorate. On August 3, Mu will undergo treatment to amputate the rest of her ring finger and possibly its nearest finger. For the treatment, our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 to help cover some of the costs. Mu says, "I hope to get well soon again so that I can continue a life of devotion and rest."

Estar is a farmer from Malawi. She recently traveled to our medical partner’s care center, Kabudula Community Hospital. Kabudula is a rural community outside of the capital city of Lilongwe. The health catchment area serves roughly 350,000 people, but the health centers and the hospital are often poorly stocked and staffed.  One of Estar’s teeth has been causing her bothersome symptoms. Diet is an issue for dental health in Malawi, where sugarcane is prevalent. Also, there is little to no oral health education in Malawi and limited access to a dental professional. In fact, there are fewer than 20 dentists across the country. Fortunately, a visiting dentist will perform a dental extraction. A dental extraction is a simple procedure with few risks, and it will result in a significant reduction in her symptoms. Estar is scheduled to undergo treatment on July 18. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting just $28 to fund the procedure.

Neema is a six-year-old student who likes studying and drawing. She lives with her mother in Tanzania. Her mother works hard as a vegetable seller to provide for her daughter. Neema has been diagnosed with a case of enlarged tonsils and adenoids. This makes it difficult for Neema to breathe and swallow. On April 27, Neema will undergo a tonsillectomy to remove her swollen and infected tonsils. Neema's family has raised $24 for her surgery, but they require an extra $633 to fully cover the costs. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for donations to assist Neema's family. Neema's mother says, "I will be very happy to see her attending school and becoming a nurse." Let's help Neema to achieve that goal!

Abubakar is eight months old and is the youngest in a family with two children. Abubakar and his family live in a one-room rental house in Nairobi's suburbs. His mother is a stay-at-home mom, while his father works on the assembly line at a mineral water company. At four months of age, he was diagnosed with a condition known as hydrocephalus, a condition in which an excess of fluids builds up in the skull, causing the brain to swell. Abubakar, an otherwise cheerful baby, has turned irritable due to the increased intra-cranial pressure from the fluid in his brain. If he does not get treated, he will be at risk of impaired vision, delayed development, permanent brain damage, and even death. At birth, Abubakar looked normal and was able to feed well. Four months later, his mother noticed his head growing at an abnormally fast rate compared with his body. Alarmed by this, Abubakar's parents took him for a traditional Kenyan treatment that is alleged to keep the head from growing too big. The treatment involves dipping a wooden stick in hot oil and placing it on directly on the baby's head. Abubakar went through this treatment twice. “We burnt his head severely, but it has not helped a thing,” says Abubakar’s mother. Naturally, the treatment did not stop the head from growing and only left the baby with conspicuous lesions all over the skull. At this point, Abubakar's grandmother suggested that the family seek specialized treatment. The family went to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, where they sought the advice of a neuro-specialist. The specialist recommended that Abubakar have surgery to drain the fluid from his brain. His surgery is scheduled for May 26. Abubakar's parents' combined income is barely enough to cover daily expenses, let alone any costly medical procedures. However, the family was able to raise $52 to go towards the surgery. Our medical partner is requesting $685 to help fund the surgery. After surgery, Abubakar will be able to grow normally and be free from his condition.

Teresiah is a 71-year-old grandmother from Kenya. She is mother to five children. She loves listening to Kamba music, a type of music sung in her native language. Teresa worked as a farmer until about three years ago, when she started experiencing difficulty seeing. Over the years, she has visited various hospitals in search of treatment for her condition but has been unsuccessful. Finally, through a friend's referral, she learned of our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. On March 17, Teresa will undergo surgery to correct a cataract in her right eye. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $220 to cover the cost of her treatment. After surgery, Teresa is looking forward to playing with her grandchildren!

Samuel is 38 years old and from the Philippines. He is a loving and hardworking husband and father to three children. One of his goals as a father is to see all three of his children finish their schooling and get good jobs. A few years ago, Samuel began to experience pain in his groin and swelling in his lower abdominal area. Since then, he has been unable to lift heavy objects and perform strenuous activities, making his job as a farmer difficult. With his family depending on him, Samuel decided that he would continue to work. Due to their limited income, Samuel did not pursue treatment right away. However, with the help of his wife, Samuel was connected with our medical partner, International Care Ministries. Samuel shares, "I thought I would not be given a chance to have the surgery and would have this condition for life, but amazingly because of prayers this great opportunity comes. You are the answer to our prayers." After a series of consultations and tests, Samuel discovered that he had an inguinal hernia, a condition in which an organ protrudes through weakened muscle, and a hydrocele, which had been causing the swelling. He is scheduled to receive reparative surgery for both conditions on February 2. After receiving treatment, Samuel will be able to work with ease again and provide for his family without having to worry about his condition. "I am so thankful that you came along, and I consider you a great blessing to our family. After the surgery and when I fully recover, I will work well for my family, and spend quality time with my children and wife," says Samuel. "We are looking forward to a successful surgery."