Meet Sokly, a 43-year-old monk from Cambodia. He has three sisters and four brothers, and enjoys reading Buddhist texts. Sokly was in a moto accident over ten years ago. He fractured his right tibia, but he gradually regained his ability to move it without any medical care. Unfortunately, his untreated fracture is now causing him pain and he cannot bend his right leg. He must walk with a stick to help him get around. Sokly traveled three hours with his brother to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Watsi's medical partner, for treatment. An x-ray at CSC showed a right tibia nonunion fracture, and doctors recommend that he have surgery to realign and graft the fractured bones. $405 will cover the cost of this operation, as well as any post-operative care. Once his bone has fully healed, he will be able to walk again. When Sokly recovers from his surgery, he will return to the pagoda and be able to walk without pain.

Simon is a shy, three-year-old boy from Kenya who never lets his mother out of sight. Simon was born with a cleft lip and spina bifida. At six months, Simon underwent spina bifida repair and a cleft lip repair. Weeks later, Simon’s head had increased in size and he had a shunt insertion to drain the excess fluid in his brain. However, he now requires a shunt revision surgery to ensure the continued function of the shunt. Due to his condition, Simon has had delayed milestones and he cannot do some of the tasks children his age can, such as walking. Recently, Simon has been experiencing headaches and is also irritable. Simon is experiencing the headaches due to the increased intra-cranial pressure from the extra fluid in the brain. If not treated, he is at risk of brain damage, blindness and even death. Simon, the last born in a family of five children, is now back to hospital requiring a shunt revision. Simon was lucky enough to get funding for the previous surgeries he underwent. Unfortunately, his parents are not yet financially stable to cater for this other surgery that Simon requires. They make a menial income from the sale of second hand clothes and this income is also used to support the larger family. Simon's family lives in a two roomed house in the Coastal region of Kenya. After a shunt revision, Simon will be relieved from the excessive intra-cranial pressure in his brain. This will reduce the chances of brain damage, blindness or even death. The total surgery cost is $600. “I hope Simon gets relief from the pain he is in," his mother shared. "We will appreciate any help towards his treatment."

Meet Uzeyfen, a two-month-old baby boy living in Ethiopia with his parents. Uzeyfen was born with a birth defect known as anorectal malformation. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, (AMHF), "Children with this defect have an imperforate anus or they have no opening where the anus should have been. Uzeyfen developed bowel obstruction because of this condition and an emergency colostomy was successfully done when he was four days old." Uzeyfen has not yet had the definitive procedure to treat this condition; Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP) and colostomy closure. As a result, he cannot pass stool in the normal way. Uzeyfen's mother is worried about her son because there is a high social stigma against children with this condition. Although Uzeyfen's father works hard in a government office to provide for his family, his income is not enough to cover all of the medical procedures that Uzeyfen needs. With a donation of $1,500 we can help Uzeyfen recover without long-term complications from his imperforate anus. He will undergo a PSARP procedure and a colostomy closure. After these two procedures, "Uzeyfen will then be able to pass stool in a normal way," AMHF says. "When we were informed there is hope for our baby to get treatment through donors, we were happy and full of hope,” shared Uzeyfen's parents in their pre-operative interview at AMHF.

Meet Innocent, an 18-month-old girl from Uganda. Like other children her age, "Innocent is still crawling and likes playing with her older sister," shares our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation. Innocent, who lives with her grandmother and cousins, stays at home while the other children attend the local school. Innocent’s grandmother supports the family through her work as a farmer. However, she "does not have a lot of energy to work and does not have enough food for her family." Subsequently, Innocent suffers from severe malnutrition with symptoms including week-long bouts of diarrhea. Without medical intervention, Innocent will not be able to develop normally. Innocent's grandmother is subsidizing $1 of Innocent's treatment, but needs our help to ensure her grandchild will be healthy. For $375, Innocent will receive IV nutrition and will be rehydrated; the minerals she is lacking will be restored to her body. "Aida, Innocent's grandmother, will receive health education about nutrition and the proper feeding of children," says the Kellermann Foundation. When Innocent’s treatment is finished, she will be free of nutritional deficiencies and will be able to play well with the other children. "I would like to thank everyone supporting my baby in getting health care. I hope to continue working hard and to be able to support my children to have a better life. May God bless you all and this hospital," shares Innocent's grandmother.

Moses, a six-month-old boy from Kenya, was born with cryptorchidism, a defect in which one or both testes is absent from the scrotum. His older brother had the same condition, so Moses' mother was quick to recognize her son's condition. After seeking medical attention for her son, “Moses’ mother was advised to have him get surgical care after he had attained the age of six months,” explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Moses’ mother works as a teacher and supports her four sons after her husband passed away earlier this year. "It’s hard for her to raise the funds for Moses’ surgical care as she is experiencing financial hardships at the moment," says AMHF. “It is every mother’s dream to see her children grow up healthy and normal and so is hers.” Moses requires a double orchidopexy, a surgical procedure that will relocate the testes to the scrotum. For $570, the surgery will reduce his risk of testicular cancer, developing a hernia, and infertility in the future. Though she feels that her burden might have been lighter with her husband around, Moses’ mother shares, “I am wishing my children the very best and do not wish that they will feel his absence, as I strive to provide the best I can for them. I hope we will get help towards Moses’ treatment.”

Meet Aurora, an eight-month-old girl from Kenya. Aurora lives with her mother and grandparents, who sell vegetables to support the family. “Aurora was born perfectly healthy,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “But when she attained the age of one and a half months, her head began increasing in size.” Aurora’s swelling is caused by a condition called hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which an excess of cerebrospinal fluid builds up, creating heavily pressurized areas in the brain. As Aurora grows and develops throughout her childhood, this condition could pose serious health complications, including vision loss and limited physical mobility. For $980, Aurora will receive surgery in which a shunt will be placed in her head to reroute the cerebrospinal fluid to the abdomen, where it can be more easily absorbed. “Aurora’s surgery will help eliminate the pressure impacting her brain, and allow her to live a quality life,” says AMHF. “Being a first time mother, Aurora's condition came as shock to me,” shares her mother. “It pains me to hear Aurora’s excruciating cries especially at night, sometimes I wish her condition on me to keep that pain from her.”

“Luciana is a beautiful, six-month-old baby girl,” says our medical partner in Tanzania, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She was born on June 4th, 2015. She has got a beautiful smile and likes to smile at anyone who tries to talk to her or play with her.” Luciana was born with bilateral clubfoot, a condition which will force her to use the lateral aspect of her feet for walking when she starts to walk. If not treated, Luciana’s gait will be affected and chances of developing osteoarthritis at a young age will also increase. “She is trying to sit and she likes to play with soft toys – mostly putting them in her mouth,” AMHF continues. “Luciana is the seventh born in the family and her father has got two wives and a total of twelve children. Luciana’s mother is a homemaker and her father is a livestock keeper. Luciana’s mother is the one struggling for her daughter to get treatment. With no income of her own it is impossible to pay for the treatment which her daughter needs.” $1,160 will fund comprehensive treatment for Luciana’s clubfoot, including rehabilitation and post-operative costs. Treatment includes surgery, casting, rehabilitation, and physiotherapy. Luciana’s mother is hopeful that her daughter will receive successful treatment, and not have to endure pain or discomfort as she learns to walk.

Meet 14-month-old Kimberly from Guatemala. “Kimberly loves to play with her doll and have fun around their front yard,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Due to a lack of resources and education around nutrition, Kimberly is malnourished. Guatemala has the fourth highest rate of chronic malnutrition in the world, with 49.8% of children under five in Guatemala being malnourished. Kimberly’s weight and height are far below average for her age. “Her energy is low and her immune system is weak,” shares WK. If she does not receive treatment, she will be at higher risk of future illness. “Her physical and mental development will be compensated which will affect her academic performance and ability to succeed in school." For $535, Kimberly can receive a variety of interventions to improve her health. “Kimberly will get medication and supplementation to assist her weak immune system and help her recoup some of the height and weight,” explains WK. Her mother will also receive budgeting and nutrition education. “We believe with assistance this girl has a shot at recovery and success,” shares WK. “Thank you for wanting to help my daughter grow and become more healthy and strong,” says her mother/ “God gave the gift of this child to care for and protect. You are helping me.”

Monica is a 51-year-old woman from Kenya. She farms with her husband to grow food for themselves and their six children. “Monica is experiencing heavy bleeding, severe lower abdominal pain radiating to the back, and body weakness,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “For about three years now, Monica has been experiencing this condition. The condition has been getting worse and a scan done two weeks ago showed Monica has adenomyosis.” Uterine adenomyosis occurs when endometrial tissue—which normally lines the uterus—grows into the uterus’s muscular wall. The displaced tissue continues to thicken, break down, and bleed during each menstrual cycle, leading to an enlarged uterus and heavy, painful periods. Doctors have recommended that Monica undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy—surgical removal of the uterus and cervix—to treat her condition. Monica and her family cannot afford the procedure, even after working on their neighbors’ farms to earn extra money. $790 will fund surgery for Monica and a five-day hospital stay. “We expect after a hysterectomy, Monica will be free from the pain and bleeding,” shares AMHF. “She will recover fully and be strong again to farm and take care of her family.” “I have a lot of pain, and this makes it hard for me to sleep or do my house work,” says Monica. “I just hope this surgery will go on well so that I can be relieved from this suffering and be able to take care of my family.”

James, a seven-year-old boy from Kenya, is the youngest of five siblings and loves football. His mother is a farmer and his father works on construction sites to support their family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that James was born with a small anal opening and had a colostomy done right after he was born. Recently he had a pull-through procedure to reposition his anus and minimize damage to surrounding structures. However, he needs one final surgery to ensure he heals properly. Currently James undergoes anal dilation to prevent scar tissue from closing the newly created anus. His final surgery will be a colostomy closure, and the treatment cost is $1260. AMHF tells us: "He suffers stomach upsets. James is at risk of suffering constipation and bowel perforation because of inability to pass stool normally. Due to the nature of his condition, James has not been enrolled in a learning institution." "James is a brilliant child. I can’t wait to see him attend school. He is my joy and I hope he gets treated," James' mother exclaims.

Alice, a 45-year-old woman from Kenya, is a hard-working single mother of two children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains that Alice has been “working as a security guard” to support and educate both of her children. Recently, however, Alice was involved in a pedestrian accident—leaving her with serious injuries. According to AMHF, “in May 2015, when Alice was going to work, she was hit by a vehicle.” The impact of the crash left her with “multiple fractures on the left leg.” After being rushed to the hospital, the doctors applied a bandage to Alice’s leg and recommended a more complex operation—an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. However, this advanced procedure was too expensive for Alice to afford, causing her to delay treatment. As AMHF explains, Alice’s symptoms continue to persist several months after the accident. “Alice is experiencing pain and is unable to use her left leg,” AMHF states. “If not operated on, the bones may fail to unite and Alice may become disabled.” Her broken leg limits her ability to work and Alice is unable to earn a regular income—straining the family financially. In trying to balance her reduced income and determination to support her children’s needs, “Alice has been postponing the treatment.” With $1,125 of Watsi funding, Alice will receive the ORIF operation that she urgently needs. In this two-part procedure, the bones in her left leg will be returned to their correct position. Afterwards, internal fixation devices (metal rods and plates) will be inserted. The metal devices will provide support and structure to the bones as they grow—allowing Alice’s leg to heal correctly. In addition to her surgery, Alice will receive two weeks of hospital care and ten days of physiotherapy. AMHF says, “We expect that after her ORIF, the bones will unite. Alice’s leg will be well again and she will be able to work and support her family.” Alice shares, “it has been three months now and I have not been able to get the correct treatment. I am worried my bones may refuse to unite and the pain is very distressing. I hope that Watsi can offer me support and that my surgery will be successful, so that I can go back to work and take care of my children.”

“Urmila studies in grade 5 and loves to study math and science. She wishes to be a nurse when she grows up,” shares our medical partner, Possible. Urmila is an 11-year-old girl from Nepal. Possible explains, “Urmila had gone to the jungle to take her cattle for grazing when she tripped, fell and broke her left arm.” Since then she has been unable to go to school or help her family with the cattle. Urmila’s broken arm also makes it difficult for her to sleep and do other chores. $579 will fund the treatment Urmila needs to repair her arm. The treatment involves a surgical procedure and casting. During the procedure, the doctor will realign Urmila’s broken bone and then set it in a cast so that the arm can heal properly. “Urmila will be able to start moving her arm in the next few weeks,” Possible adds. This will allow her to return to school and help her family with farming. Urmila’s father expresses, “You guys have been a Godsend. I don't know what I would have done if we could not get the treatment here.”