Meet adorable one-year-old John from Kenya. John is the youngest of five children and his parents make a living as subsistence farmers. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) shares, "They live in a single-rental house, and all their income comes from the farming they do on their ancestral land." John was born with a condition called spina bifida. Spina bifida is a birth defect in which a baby's spinal cord fails to develop properly. Babies that are born with this condition have a sac-like protrusion on their lower backbone area. AMHF tells us, "John is at risk of getting infection on the exposed nerves and tissues." The treatment for John's condition will cost $805. AMHF shares that the closure of his spina bifida will "prevent infections from developing in the exposed nerves and tissues." Due to their financial constraints, John's parents are not able to pay for the surgery, "I can't even think of anything I would sell to amount the funds required for John's surgical care. I hope we will get help," says John's mother. John's parents hope that he will receive treatment soon, and that he can live a normal childhood without pain or discomfort.

15-month-old Adam was born in Nigeria and was submitted to Watsi by our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HFWA). Adam was born with an omphalocele — a birth defect in which the intestine and other organs grow outside of the body. “Adam is second baby in the family of two children,” says HFWA. “His mother is a full time house wife, while his father does menial jobs to fend for his family.” Adam is in pain, particularly in his navel and groin area. He requires surgery to push his organs back into the body, which is done over an extended period of time. After treatment, Adam is expected to recover fully. The total cost of his care is $1,478. “After surgery, the swellings and pains will go and Adam will have a happy and normal live,” HFWA says. “Please, if you can find someone who can extend a hand of help to help with our son's treatment, we will be ever grateful,” Adam’s mother says.

Two years ago, Kas's vision began to blur and she became extremely sensitive to sunlight. This made it difficult for the 65-year-old to work in and around the home and to walk outside. When Kas visited our medical partner in Cambodia, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they explained that she had cataracts in both eyes, a condition that causes clouding of the eyes’ lenses. CSC shares that Kas has "three sons, two daughters, and seven grandchildren…[and she] spends her free time watching TV and listening to social news." She is looking forward to having the surgery necessary for her to see again. CSC reports that "Kas traveled three hours with her daughter" just for her consultation. However, Kas cannot afford treatment on her own. For $225, Kas will undergo an operation during which the mature cataracts in both of her eyes will be removed and clear, artificial lenses will be implanted in their place. With this highly effective procedure, Kas will be able to see clearly and regain independence.

Phyllis is a 40-year-old single mother from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that she currently relies on odd jobs to provide for her two teenaged children. Her brother also supports the family, but he earns very little as a casual laborer. Earlier this month Phyllis slipped and fell, fracturing her right tibia. As a result of the fracture, she is in constant pain and has difficulty walking, which in turn inhibits her from working. “If not treated Phyllis will continue to endure the pain, and she may end up [with an improperly healed fracture (malunion)], deformity, or infection,” states AMHF. An open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure is necessary to address Phyllis’s condition. During an ORIF, her leg bones will be realigned and set so that her tibia can heal properly. Phyllis’s treatment will cost $1,125: In addition to her surgical fees, these funds will also cover 21 days of checkups from medical staff and a 14-day hospital stay. “I pray that God will help me to have a successful surgery, and hope Watsi will come to my aid. I have to be well for my children,” says Phyllis.