Benedicto is a nine-month-old boy who was born with a congenital malformation in a sensitive area. He received surgery immediately after birth. Benedicto's family funded this treatment with church donations and loans from friends. On October 9, 2016, Benedicto received two additional surgeries at our medical partner's hospital, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. These procedures should relieve him of his uncomfortable symptoms. Now, his family needs help to fund this $975 treatment. "I seek your help in getting treatment for my son because I have no funds," says Benedicto's mother. "I will be very happy and God will bless you."

76-year-old Ruth is a mother of five from Tanzania. Her husband passed away and she currently lives with one of her children. She is a farmer in her small land, providing for her daily upkeep. Ruth began losing her hearing in 2014, but has not had any treatment yet. She was advised to get hearing aids for her case but is unable to raise the amount needed. Ruth recently had hip replacement surgery, which has further constrained her finances. She also has regular hospital visits for diabetes. For $712, we can provide Ruth with hearing aids, allowing her to interact with her children more fully. “I want to have improved hearing to be able to communicate well," Ruth shares.

Sophia is a beautiful one-week-old baby girl from Tanzania. "Sophia’s mother reports to have felt mild labor pains the evening before giving birth to her daughter," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "But when morning came so did Sophia!" She is the second child born to her parents, who are two small scale farmers. AMHF explains, "Sophia was born with an open lesion on her lower back which is leaking cerebral spinal fluid." This condition is called myelomeningocoele. If untreated, she will be at great risk of contracting an infection. Secondary to this condition, Sofia is "showing signs of hydrocephalus" reports AMHF. Hydrocephalus is an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain that may lead to other health problems. $1200 will fund surgery to treat the myelomeningocoele and hydrocephalus. These funds will cover the surgical procedures, antibiotics, wound dressings, as well as Sophia's hospital stay. "The lesion on Sophia's back will heal, preventing easy contraction of infection," AMHF predicts. "Once the shunt is inserted, Sophia will be out of the risk of losing her eyesight, she will have a normal size head, which will allow her good trunk control, and later, the ability to sit, stand, and walk." "I just pray that my baby will be ok," Sophia's mother expresses. "I will be happy to see her healthy, growing like other children, and live a better life when she grows up."

Meet Rebecca, a three-year-old girl from Haiti. Rebecca lives with her mother and father, and she likes to play dress-up and play with dolls. She is very outgoing and likes to sing and dance, according to our medical partner, the Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “Rebecca was born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of fallot, which involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage of one of the heart's valves," explains HCA. "As a result, Rebecca's heart cannot deliver enough oxygen to her body, and she is sickly and weak. If untreated, the condition would be fatal." For $1,500, we can fund a treatment that will restore normal blood flow to Rebecca’s heart and allow her to live a normal life. This amount provides funding for overseas prep and transport, as HCA secures overseas heart surgeries for procedures that are not easily accessible in Haiti. The treatment is subsidized by a $10,000 donation from Safra Children’s Hospital. "We were very happy to find out that Rebecca could have surgery for her heart problem," her mother shares. "We are praying that all will go well!"

Meet Willis, a 10-month-old Haitian boy with a congenital heart disease. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), explains, “Willis was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak.” HCA continues, “Willis lives with his mother and father and is their first child. His mother works as a market vendor, and his father repairs vehicles. Although the family has known about his heart problem since birth, they were first told that it would be better to do the surgery when Willis was slightly older. However, he recently became much sicker and is being rushed to surgery earlier than originally planned.” If Willis goes untreated, not only will he become sicker and weaker, but his condition will eventually be fatal. With $1,500 in Watsi funding, along with a $5,000 subsidy from Development for Freedom International, this outcome can be avoided. Willis will undergo open heart surgery, during which a portion of the outer lining of his heart will be sewn over the hole between the lower chambers to seal it. HCA predicts, “Following surgery, Willis should be able to lead a normal life with no further cardiac symptoms.” With treatment, 10-month-old Willis will be much safer and healthier. "I wish I could give gifts to everyone who is helping Willis get better, but I know that God will reward them all even if I can't," shares Willis’ mother.

Meet Hamisi, a friendly and active nine-month-old boy who lives with his loving parents in Tanzania. Hamisi was born with bilateral clubfoot, a congenital deformity in the bones of his feet that if left untreated puts him at risk for pain, difficulty walking, and early osteoarthritis. Hamisi is a curious youngster who loves to crawl around and inspect every aspect of his surroundings with his eyes, and even his mouth! Hamisi's parents work as farmers and grow maize and sunflowers to support Hamisi and his four older siblings, but they do not make enough money to fund the surgery Hamisi needs. His mother says, “We have truly tried our best to get proper medical treatment for our son, but it is too expensive for us to afford. We would really like Hamisi to be able to stand, walk and grow up like the rest of our children.” For $1,160, Hamisi's mother's wish will come true and Hamisi will receive the surgery he needs in order to one day be able to stand and walk with ease and comfort like his siblings. This operation will enable Hamisi to meet his developmental milestones and decrease his risk of early osteoarthritis so that he can explore his surroundings even better!

Santos is a 63-year-old man from Guatemala who gets up at 4am every day to farm a variety of crops including corn, berries, and tomatoes. According to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, Santos has recently “been having serious seizures that cause loss of consciousness.” These seizures are dangerous because they cause Santos to fall and they also impact his ability to care for his family and continue to farm. Wuqu’ Kawoq shares, “Given how healthy he is with no issues like heart disease or diabetes, we are strongly suspicious that his seizures are from an infection of the brain with a tapeworm parasite. This is an extremely common issue here in Guatemala.” For $745, Santos will receive the imaging to define the extent of his illness and medications to kill the parasites and control his seizures. His doctors expect “a complete resolution of his symptoms” allowing him to return to work and spending time with his family. Santos says, “This is the scariest thing that has ever happened to me.” Let’s help him get back to the active lifestyle he led before!