Vakhim is a tenth grade student from Cambodia. He has two older sisters, and enjoys playing soccer and watching television in his free time. His favorite subjects in school are math and biology, and he hopes to become a teacher when he gets older. When he was eight months old, Vakhim had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in his left ear to perforate. For this reason, Vakhim experiences discharge, itchiness, fever, tinnitus, and hearing loss. He has a difficult time focusing in school and cannot communicate well with others. Vakhim traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On August 7, he will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $423 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. He says, "I hope that after my operation, I will be able to hear more clearly than before and the infection will go away."

Yoko is three months old and lives with his mother and brother at his grandparent's house. He has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition where excess fluid accumulates in the skull, causing pressure on the brain. The family visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. At their facility, Yoko's parents learned that Yoko would need surgery to help drain the excess fluid from his head and ease the pressure on his brain. If not treated, he is at risk of having delayed development, progressive increase in head circumference, and brain damage, which may result in death. Yoko's surgery is scheduled for September 27, but Yoko's family cannot afford this procedure. Therefore, Yoko's mother is appealing to Watsi for financial assistance to help fund the $685 necessary for Yoko's treatment. “I do not have livestock of my own and neither does my husband. We all made and sold alcohol but the income barely sustained us. Please help us,” shares Yoko’s mother. After treatment, Yoko's condition will hopefully improve and he will be able to grow normally and be free of his condition.

Gustavo is an active 17-month-old toddler from Guatemala. He loves playing with his toy cars and older sister. He can be rather serious around strangers, but is always smiling with people he knows. Gustavo was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that occurs from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Gustavo has little energy to grow, and that his immune system is weak, leaving him vulnerable to diseases that could further compromise his growth. If left untreated, he may also face the long-term consequences of malnutrition, such as increased risk of chronic illness and a lowered IQ. Concerned for his well-being, his mother took Gustavo to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, for treatment. Beginning June 12, Gustavo will receive micronutrients and food supplementation, as well as regular growth monitoring. Community health workers will also teach his mother how to create a nutrient rich diet using limited resources. The $492 requested will cover all expenses of his continued treatment, allowing him to gain weight, strengthen his immune system, and catch up with other children his age. "I am very grateful for the help my son is going to receive," says Gustavo's mother.

Dariana is a 16-year-old high school student from the Dominican Republic who has seven brothers and sisters. She is in the tenth grade, and she likes going to the pool with her friends. Dariana was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak. Although Dariana 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, Dariana will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 14. 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 Dariana 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 Dariana's surgical care. Dariana says, "I am excited to have this surgery because I have been worried about my health ever since I was a very young girl."

Aye Than is a 45-year-old Burmese woman. She lives with her mother and siblings in a village close to the Thai-Burma border. At the age of 40, Aye Than started experiencing frequent headaches and a stiff neck. For five years, she treated her symptoms with medication from a local pharmacy. Recently, Aye Than was picking up a bucket of rainwater when she started to feel dizzy and could no longer stand. She sat down to rest, but she found she could no longer open her left eye. After several visits to different hospitals, she was referred to our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Through BCMF, Aye Than was transferred to Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital. She underwent several diagnostic tests, including two CT scans––[one](https://watsi.org/profile/17128140c65d-aye-than) of which was funded by Watsi donors. The results of her tests showed an arteriovenous malformation with a proximal flow-related aneurysm and a fistula. In simpler terms, there was an aneurysm in Aye Than's brain. With this finding, her doctor performed an embolisation procedure on December 14. During this procedure, blood vessels were selectively blocked to treat her condition. Now, BCMF is requesting $1,500 in funding. “I am looking forward to getting better, so I can continue to work with my mother and resume my Buddhist practices: meditation, going to the monastery on full moon days, and maintaining the alter in my home," says Aye Than. She continues, "Without the donors, there was no chance for me to be treated properly. Thank you very much for your help."

Meet Gloria, two-year-old girl from Kenya. Gloria is the youngest child in her family, with two older siblings. Her mother is a farmer, while her father is a laborer at a Nairobi-based food company. Gloria lives with her mother in a rural village. When Gloria was learning to walk, she was accidentally burned by hot water. She has already undergone a contracture release procedure on her body and a scalp reconstruction procedure on her head. Still, Gloria is unable to fully utilize her left hand. Without treatment, she would be at risk of permanent disability. Fortunately, Gloria underwent a contracture release procedure on November 9, 2016. Now, Gloria's family needs help to pay for this $1,176 procedure. Gloria’s mother says, “I want my child to be treated and be able to say my parents assisted me at my hour of need when she grows up."

King's is a shy three year old boy, the first born of two children. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a single-rental house in Nairobi suburbs of Kenya. King's mother is a tailor while his father works in an electronic shop. This past June, King's mother noticed a slight swell on the right upper side of King’s abdomen. King's had always complained of pain, but his parents took it lightly, assuming that he had been hit by his friends while playing. Last week, King's extreme pain reached a point where he cried and clutched at his abdomen. A visit to the local hospital revealed a congenital health condition. King's has a right undescended testis and a surgery is required to fix it. If it remains untreated, King's could develop an inguinal hernia or other complications. $540 in funds will cover all surgical expenses and necessary medications. A surgeon will perform an orchidopexy to locate the testis in the abdomen, lower it into the scrotum, and place it in a fixed position. King's parents wish that their income could cover King's surgical care. "We wish to give King's the opportunity to be able to follow his dreams and ambitions in life, but we feel helpless that we cannot give this to him." Our support will go a long way in helping a family provide their young toddler the medical treatment he needs.

"I want to be a doctor when I grow up," shares Edward, a 12-year-old primary school student who lives with his great-grandmother and his cousins in Kenya. Neglected by his mother after tribal clashes in 2007, Edward was reconnected with his great-grandmother through a well-wisher. In September of 2012, Edward's right arm was burned, and he was taken to the hospital. As his burn injury healed, the scar thickened and tightened over time, forming contractures. Edward is not able to fully stretch his right hand due to the contractures, and he cannot attend school most of the time due to pain in his hand. His limited mobility prevents him from fully utilizing his hand when playing or performing simple chores at home. Edward was brought to our facility by a neighbor from his village. Doctors recommend that Edward undergo surgery to release the post-burn contracture, but neither his family nor his concerned neighbor can afford the treatment costs. His great-grandmother is old and unable to work, and she must also provide for Edward’s cousins. The family relies on financial assistance from well-wishers to meet their daily needs. $1,215 pays for Edward's surgery as well as nine days of hospital care, including blood tests, pain medicine, and antibiotics. With financial assistance, Edward will be able to access medical treatment and continue pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor.

Joshua lives in the Philippines with his family. The family lives in a crowded area wherein they have many neighbors. But despite their living condition, they have harmonious relationship with each other and the people in their community. Joshua currently lives with an anorectal malformation. He experiences discrimination among his friends, classmates, and peers because of his condition. His teacher often sends him home whenever he does not bring an extra plastic bag for his colostomy. Whenever he eats fruits like pineapple, he suffers from stomach pain. When he exerts effort like playing vigorously or lifting heavy objects, his colostomy site becomes tender and bleeds. He thus has problems concentrating in school, and his studies and social interactions are very much affected. Joshua's family is also very concerned with Joshua's problem. Joshua sometimes roams around the market with his bike and collects bottles and scrap iron to be sold in junk shops to help his parents in their finances. His father is working at a fruit company and is the only provider of the family. For $965, Joshua can receive the colostomy closure he needs to recover from his condition. "I just want to see my child live normally just like other children," his mother said. "We as a family desires so much that Joshua will be treated but we really can't afford his treatment. As the matter of fact, we are struggling to provide our daily needs. We are hoping and praying that somebody would help us to provide for his surgery."

Liam, a playful two-year-old boy, is the only child to his parents and lives with his family in a single-room house in Kenya. Liam’s parents earn a small income by finding casual day jobs such as manual labor in construction sites and doing laundry for people in the neighborhood. When Liam was only two weeks old, his mother noticed while giving him a bath that his left testis did not descend to the scrotal sac. If Liam does not receive surgical care he may suffer complications such as inguinal hernia, testicular cancer, or infertility. Liam's parents were advised by his aunt to seek help at Bethany Kids, a hospital partner of Watsi's medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). With their humble income, they are unable to fully raise funds for Liam’s surgical procedure. $540 will cover the cost of treatment for Liam. He will undergo orchidopexy surgery to move the undescended testis to the scrotum. “I love my son and hope that he gets treated," Liam's mother said. "Thank you to all those willing to support his well-being."

10-year-old Boudwensky lives in a central Haiti orphanage with 50 other children. Boudwensky considers the children and staff his family. “He is a good student and very curious about the world,” shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “He is very close to the director of the orphanage, who is accompanying him throughout his surgery to serve as his guardian.” “Boudwensky was born with a condition called atrial septal defect, in which a whole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart,” explains HCA. “Blood flows through this hole without passing through the lungs to get oxygen, leaving him sickly and out of breath. This condition could become fatal if not treated.” For $1500, Boudwensky will be transferred overseas to receive heart surgery. Following the closure of the hole in his heart, Boudwensky will be able to lead a healthy life. "I have never left my town before, so I am very excited to see a different country for the first time!” shares Boudwensky.

Omary is a soft spoken, 17-year-old boy living in Tanzania. He likes to play football, and "used to be very competitive before his bones got weak," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Omary's knees gradually started to bend inwards when he was in class seven. Omary has bilateral genu valgus, which means his knee joints and femurs are misaligned. "This condition has affected Omary’s gait and he is at risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age if not treated…for years, his parents have tried to look for ways to help their son, but nothing helped," AMHF says. With $940, Omary can undergo an operation that will combine casting and surgery to realign his bones and joint, straighten his legs, improve his gait, and reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis. Currently, Omary helps his parents with farm work and herding cattle as much as he can, but he hopes the surgery will allow him to keep playing football, and pursue his desire to join the army.