Than Oo has dreams of one day opening her own business. However, for over a year, she has been unable to pursue this dream. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), states that due to a common bile duct stone, “Than Oo has been experiencing pain in her stomach as well as back aches since June of 2014.” Than Oo is a 40-year-old wife and mother of eight children from Burma. In her initial visit to a local hospital, Than Oo’s condition was misdiagnosed and she was simply prescribed pain medications to relieve her symptoms. However, when the problem persisted, Than Oo was eventually referred to BBP’s clinic. BBP explains that during her visit, Than Oo was “given an ultrasound and diagnosed as suffering from a common bile duct stone.” A common bile duct stone occurs when a gallstone—a small, crystallized mass produced in the gallbladder—moves out of the gallbladder and into the bile duct. Patients with bile duct stones are also at risk of other health complications such as jaundice, which is indirectly caused by an excess bile buildup in the liver. Than Oo’s husband, who works as a taxi driver to earn an income, has been very supportive ever since Than Oo’s diagnosis. BBP says, “Than Oo’s husband has stopped working to take care of the children.” However, despite their efforts, Than Oo’s family does not make enough money to afford the treatment that Than Oo needs. With $1,500 in funding, Than Oo will undergo surgery to remove the stone lodged in her bile duct. As part of her treatment, Than Oo will receive several laboratory tests both prior to and after her surgery. In addition, she will spend 60 days in the hospital to ensure that she has immediate access to everything she needs throughout her recovery and rehabilitation. BBP expects this procedure to have a life-changing impact in Than Oo’s life. “Once Than Oo has had surgery to remove the stone in her bile duct, her husband will be able to return to work and continue providing for the family. She will be able to take care of her young children again.” Than Oo, however, shares that she has plans of her own. “I hope that I will feel better after surgery, and if I do, I would like to set up a small shop at my house to sell mohingya (traditional Burmese noodle soup). I am really happy to have been given the opportunity to access treatment.”

Meet Devora, a 34-year-old mother of two. Devora and her twin sister are very close, and raise their families together in Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), shares that one month ago, “Devora was in the hospital because she could not walk or talk. An ultrasound and labs revealed Devora has kidney failure. Because kidneys play such a vital role in filtering toxins from the blood, this diagnosis can be fatal. However, there are treatment options that would filter and regulate Devora’s blood artificially." $1265 will fund the dialysis, medication, and education to treat and manage her condition. WK tells us that in order to make this logistically possible they will “construct a room at her home specifically for her dialysis.” Dialysis will remove the salt, waste, and excess water from the blood. This intervention will ensure that Devora has a sterile environment where she can self-administer regular dialysis. The medical team will visit her often and provide intensive education on dialysis and treatment. WK says, “Devora will be able to live for the rest of her life while technically still in kidney failure. Her energy will increase and she will be able to get back to everyday activities.”

Meet two-month-old Sebastian, a cheerful baby boy from Haiti. “Sebastien lives with his mother and father; he is their first child, and also the first grandchild in both families, so he gets a lot of attention from his family,” reports our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). “He is usually a happy baby and rarely fusses. His father works in the construction trades, and his mother worked as a market vendor until Sebastien was born.” Sebastien has severe pulmonary stenosis, a congenital defect that results from abnormal development of the fetal heart during the first eight weeks of pregnancy. “His pulmonary valve is too narrow to allow blood to pass freely through it,” explains HCA. “As a result, blood blacks up into his heart, causing heart failure and putting him at risk of sudden cardiac arrest.” For $1500, Sebastien can travel overseas to receive surgery that will correct the width of his pulmonary valve. University Hospital of Martinique is contributing an additional $7,500 toward his surgery. “A balloon will be inserted into the valve to stretch it open to a near-normal size,” reports HCA. “Following surgery, Sebastien’s pulmonary valve should function normally, and he should not need further intervention.” This cost includes passports, visas, pre-departure diagnostic procedures, airline tickets, food support, calling cards to Haiti, a host family stipend, local expenses, and temporary travel insurance. “The doctors explained to me that Sebastien’s problem is very serious and dangerous,” says Sebastien’s mother. “I’m so happy they will be able to fix it, God willing!”

Zar Zar is a shy 14-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, 17-year-old brother, and two younger brothers. Her mother says that Zar Zar is a good student and she studies hard. Zar Zar is in the 9th grade and is looking forward to completing her studies. Her parents and older brother work as rice farmers, but this is typically not enough income to cover their expenses. Zar Zar has been diagnosed with encephalocele, a neural tube defect that causes a mass to grow. “When she was born her parents noticed a small lump on the bridge of her nose,” Zar Zar’s doctor at Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us. “At that time the bump did not cause her any physical discomfort and she was otherwise a healthy, active baby. Her encephalocele now takes up the bridge of her nose and completely obstructs the vision in her left eye. Although it causes her considerable discomfort, she has learned to make do as well as she can. Only having vision in one eye has not stopped her from going to school, nor has the stigma attached to her condition.” “In the future, she said that she would like to be a teacher,” BBP adds. “At the moment, teaching is like a hobby for her, and she helps her younger siblings and her peers with their school work, she added that she enjoys explaining things and helping people learn. In addition, in her free time, she likes running and staying healthy.” Zar Zar’s family cannot afford the surgery needed to remove the growth from Zar Zar’s face, but with $1,500 we can make sure she receives the treatment. “After treatment she will concentrate on her education and hopes to help her family,” BBP explains. "Treatment will improve her confidence and make her more outgoing. Zar Zar’s treatment will also benefit the family as they will no longer have to worry about paying for expensive surgery and can look to the future with happiness."

"I am hoping that Watsi will help me so that I can be well again," Jacinta tells us. "This way, I could meet my dream of starting a green grocery to supplement my husband's income.” Jacinta is a 50-year-old mother of four from Kenya. Her husband is a public vehicle driver, but does not have a stable income. For years, Jacinta has dreamed of opening a grocery store to supplement her husband's income and support her family. But for the past two years, Jacinta has been unable to pursue this dream. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids -- benign tumors in the lining of her uterus. "Jacinta has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, heavy bleeding and body weakness," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "If not treated, Jacinta will continue to bleed and the body weakness will get worse. She is also likely to suffer from anaemia due to the heavy bleeding." “I have struggled a lot with this condition and it is by God’s grace that I have been directed to come to Nazareth [our partner hospital]," Jacinta shares. For $790, we can fund Jacinta's total abdominal hysterectomy. This procedure will remove her uterus and cervix, and relieve her pain and bleeding. “We expect after treatment, Jacinta will recover fully," AMHF adds. "She will be well again to take care of her family and achieve her dream of starting a business."

Mu Sweet is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a day laborer at a rubber tree plantation. In addition to her work, she takes full-time care of her mother and niece. She also has several side businesses to help support them all. A few months ago, Mu Sweet’s health began to mysteriously decline. Doctors discovered a 14cm mass in her uterus which is causing her pain and discomfort, in addition to extreme fatigue. Due to heavy bleeding, she has now become anemic. As a result, she depends on blood transfusions which make it nearly impossible for Mu Sweet to continue her previously energetic lifestyle. Our medical partners at Burma Border Projects (BBP) share with us that “In a life full of taking care of others, Mu Sweet is now in dire need of some medical help herself.” For $1,500 we can fund Mu Sweet’s surgery and medical care at BBP and remove this painful mass. BBP informs us that with this treatment “She will be able to plan and save for the future, as well as enjoy her new marriage with her husband when she is no longer in pain and discomfort.”

“Samuel is a strong and active two-and-a-half-year-old boy from Tanzania,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “He likes to run around with other children, kicking balls and singing Sunday school songs. He is the third-born in a family of three children. Samuel likes to spend most of his time at his grandma’s house. Samuel’s mother, a widow, works very hard to take care of her children. She buys and sells green vegetables at an open market in their village.” “Samuel was born with congenital deformity of the left foot that is making him use the lateral aspect of his left foot for walking, which is painful and has affected his gait,” AMHF continues. “If not treated, Samuel will be at high risk of developing osteoarthritis at an early age, limiting him from performing daily activities efficiently.” “My son walks with difficulties and he cannot wear shoes like his siblings,” Samuel’s mother tells us. “My hope is for him to be able to walk properly, wear shoes and grow up like the rest of my children, and have an opportunity to go to school.” Doctors at AMHF can treat Samuel’s clubfoot for $1,160, allowing him to wear shoes and start going to school when the time comes.

“Anne-Keila is our first baby. I would love to see her walk normally and have a healthy life like the other kids,” explains Anne-Keila’s father. Meet Anne-Keila, a 14-month-old baby girl living in Haiti. Anne-Keila lives in the Haitian countryside with her parents, who are both small farmers. Farming does not provide a substantial income and Anne-Keila’s parents are unable to afford the medical treatment Anne-Keila needs. Anne-Keila was born with hydrocephalus, a condition causing an excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain, massive head size and sun setting eyes. If untreated, this condition can lead to brain damage, a loss in mental and physical abilities, and even death. We can fund a successful treatment for $1,260. Doctors will drain the excess fluid in Anne-Keila’s head and prevent more fluid from accumulating. This treatment will save her life and allow her to be healthy and go to school in the future. Let’s support Anne-Keila and her hardworking parents by funding this surgery!

Rose is a friendly and energetic 13-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is the first born in a family of two children, whose parents work at a local market as laborers and vendors. Rose is currently in class three and likes learning mathematics, Swahili and science in school. She also enjoys playing a local game called “rede” as well as skipping rope with other children. Rose faces difficulty using her hand due to a skin contracture on the little, ring, middle and index fingers of her left hand. Staff at our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation tell us, "Rose’s parents badly need support to help their daughter get the right treatment. If not treated, Rose will continue to have difficulties in performing everyday chores." Rose says, “My dream is to become a pediatrician when I grow up." Rose needs a surgical skin graft and contracture release which costs $870. With this surgery Rose will regain full functionality of her hand which will help her pursue her dream of becoming a doctor!