Megan is a 3-month old baby girl from Tanzania, and the only child to her single mother. Megan was born with clubfoot and spina bifida, which contributed to her acquiring hydrocephalus. Megan’s father left their family when her mother was five months pregnant and they lost any contact with him. Megan's grandmother, who was also a single mom after her husband passed away at a young age, depends on selling second-hand clothes. Her income is very limited to be able to provide for her children and be able to afford school fees. Due to this, Megan's mother was not able to continue with her studies due to financial challenges and joined her mother in selling second hand clothes. Megan has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Megan has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Megan will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Megan that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 21st and will drain the excess fluid from Megan's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Megan will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Megan’s mother says, “I have no one to run to for help and support, all my relatives have told me they can no longer support us in any way and yet my daughter is suffering. Please help save my daughter.”

Zakayo is a one-year-old baby from Tanzania. He is the last born child in a family of three children. He is playful, smiley, and a very friendly boy. His parents are small-scale farmers of maize, bean, and vegetable. They depend entirely on what they harvest for their survival and supporting their children. Zakayo has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Zakayo traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, and receive care. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 18th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Zakayo's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. Zakayo’s mother says, “Please help correct my son’s foot so that he is able to walk like his siblings and lead a normal life. The cost is too high for us to afford it.”

Prince is a kindergarten student from Kenya. He is a six-year-old boy who likes to play and sometimes tend to his grandfather's cattle. He is an only child and his mother used to work as a waiter in a local hotel while the father is a mason. Ryan's mother noticed an unusual bending of his left foot when he was two. Because of his condition, he is not able to walk. Surgery to realign his bones will help him walk and improve his self-esteem. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, can help. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on July 20th. The family is not able to raise the estimated bill for the surgery and is asking for your help to fund this $1,286 surgery. After treatment, Prince's ability to walk will be much improved. “We are pleading for any kind of help to ensure my son undergoes surgery and is able to resume his normal life. We would greatly appreciate your support," shared Prince's mother.

Gilbert is a calm and polite boy. He is the second born in a family of four children and hails from Dagoretti in Nairobi county. He is in 3rd grade at a primary school in Nairobi and aspires to be a pilot. Gilbert was brought to our hospital by his mother because he was experiencing pain and could not walk long distances. He has had this condition since he was three years old and it has significantly impacted his ability to go to school. Gilbert's mother shared that, “I sometimes carry him to school as his knees knock against each other which hinders his movement. But when I have money, I will pay for a motorbike to take him and his brother to school.” His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may be given. Gibert's father is a street pastor and works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Gilbert was able to already have his right leg treated which is now healed. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Gilbert will be able to walk comfortably and continue with his studies.

Ree is a 44-year-old man who lives with his wife, two sons, and his daughter in Mae Ra Ma Laung Refugee Camp in Thailand. Ree and his family used to live in a village in Hpa-pun Township in Karen State, Burma. However, due to conflict between armed groups in his area, they fled to the refugee camp in 2006. Every month Ree’s family receives 1,244 baht (approx. 42 USD) from The Border Consortium (TBC), an organization that provides support to refugees in camps. He also works as a caregiver for the elderly in the camp, for the organization Catholic Office for Emergency Relief and Refugees. He earns 1,100 baht (approx. 37 USD) each month for this. All of his children go to school in the camp while his wife works as a cook at one of the schools. On March 14, 2020, Ree slipped and fell on his right forearm while he was carrying a heavy load. When he got up, he was not able to move his right hand and he thought he had broken his forearm. Ree did not seek help at the camp’s medical centre and instead wrapped traditional herbal medicine onto his right forearm. As time passed, Ree could still not use his right arm and the pain in his arm did not go away. Eventually, on May 10th, he went to the camp’s hospital, run by Malteser International Thailand (MI). At the hospital, he was diagnosed with a fractured right forearm that had not healed properly. He was referred to the local Mae Sariang Hospital and received an x-ray on May 12th. The result indicated that he had fractured one of the two bones in his forearm. The doctor at the hospital then referred Ree to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further management and treatment. The following day, MI staff brought Ree to CMH. Once he met with the doctor, the doctor told him that he will need to receive surgery for his arm to heal properly. Currently, Ree is still in pain and his right arm is sore and not in use. With the help of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, Ree will undergo surgery to reset his fractured bones and ensure proper healing. The procedure is scheduled for May 21st and will cost $1,500. His arm will no longer be in pain and he hopes he will be able to go back to his old job helping the elderly in the refugee camp. While smiling he said, “I have been struggling to do tasks for the past month without using my right hand which is hard as I am right handed. I cannot wait to use my right arm again!”

Rithea is a 39-year-old craftswoman from Cambodia. She enjoys spending time with her three children and doing the housework in her free time. One year ago, Rithea had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Rithea experiences ear discharge, pain, itchiness, and headaches. She is unable to hear clearly and suffers from chronic ear infections. Rithea traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 09, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right 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. Rithea said, "I hope that after surgery, my ear will be able to heal and I will be able to hear clearly again."

Misgune is a 3-month-old baby boy from Ethiopia with one older brother. He loves to play and laugh with his mom. He's exclusively fed by breast milk. Misgune’s mom is a house wife; she dropped out of school at grade 9 when she got pregnant. She used to do a bit of small business before she gave birth to him. Misgune's dad is a daily laborer. They live in a rented house and their family's income is unpredictable and limited for the expenses of the basic needs of the family. Misgune was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Misgune is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on March 10th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Misgune's procedure and care. After his recovery, Misgune will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Misgune's mom said, “It is my hope that my baby will get healthy and as normal as other boys. I hope I will raise him well and educate him. I hope I will start working again and support my children. ”

San is a 64-year-old Monk from Cambodia. He has eight children, six grandchildren, and enjoys reading Buddhist text in his free time. Six months ago, San developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry and cloudy vision. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When San learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On August 12, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope that I will be able to see better and can recognize people, and will be able to go outside and read again."

Aisha is a baby from Tanzania. She was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Aisha. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Aisha's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications.

Wilson is a student from Tanzania. He has been diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking to school. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Wilson. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21. Treatment will hopefully restore Wilson's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Wilson says, “I am having difficulty walking and running due to my legs curving help me get treated.”

Dany is a 29-year-old mother from Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to play with her son and follow updates on Facebook. Seven years ago, Dany had an ear infection. This infection caused a cholesteatoma, or an abnormal skin growth, to develop in the middle ear behind the ear drum. For this reason, Dany experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, itchiness, and headaches. It is often difficult for Dany to hear, and she has a difficult time understanding and communicating with others. Dany traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 13, she will undergo a mastoidectomy procedure in her left ear. During this procedure, ENT surgeons will remove the cholesteatoma. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $842 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. She says, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to hear clearly again and my ear will heal."

Georgeline is a baby from Kenya. Her family is originally from Liberia. Georgeline has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Georgeline has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Georgeline will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Georgeline that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 17 and will drain the excess fluid from Georgeline's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Georgeline will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. “I am so happy for the love and kind nature of people in Kenya. May God bless you all,” says Georgeline’s mother.