George is three months old and the first born child of his parents. His father has a small business that brings back very little money, while his mother is a housewife. George's head is enlarged. He was born with a condition called hydrocephalus, which means that he has an abnormal build-up of fluid in his brain. The buildup causes George's head to swell and puts pressure on the inside of his skull. If it isn’t corrected, doctors say that the increased pressure could lead to blindness, severe headaches, brain damage, or even premature death. George’s mother says, “I feel so sad for my son. He is only a few months old, yet he has suffered a lot.” If it’s treated early, most children with hydrocephalus recover successfully. George needs $980 for a shunt placement that will drain the excess fluid around his brain. However, his family cannot afford it. His mother says. “I would appreciate any help towards George’s surgery.” Your donation to George will offer him a healthy, happy future.

Say hello to Gloria, a seven-month-old baby from Kenya. She is the youngest of five siblings and both of her parents are farmers on the quarter-acre piece of land that they own. Gloria was born with a condition called hydrocephalus, which means that she has an abnormal build-up of fluid in her brain. The buildup causes Gloria’s head to be enlarged and puts extra pressure inside of her skull. If it isn’t corrected, doctors say that the increased pressure could lead to blindness, severe headaches, brain damage, or even premature death. Because Gloria’s parents are entirely dependent on the proceeds of their farm to survive, it’s been a struggle raising funds for her surgery. Gloria’s mother says, “Both my husband and I have no means of raising the necessary funds for Gloria’s surgery, but we desire that she gets treatment as soon as possible. We pray for support.” For $980, we can fund surgery for a shunt incision to help make Gloria better. The doctors predict that with the surgery, Gloria will live a happy, normal life with no risk of blindness, brain damage, or premature death. Let’s make that a reality for Gloria!

Four year old Mary has a bilateral inguinal hernia, which our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation explains is the “inflammation of and pain in the inguinal area, which without treatment could result in permanent damage to her intestine.” Mary's father works as a security guard and is the sole breadwinner for the family, which includes Mary, her two siblings, and her mother, who takes care of their rented two-room home in Kenya. They have had difficulty raising the funds for the surgery Mary needs to be healthy and pain-free. However, Mary’s parents have hope; her mother reports, “We are glad that we’ve finally come to a place where Mary can get treatment.” With support from Watsi donors of $540, Mary will receive a hernia repair, a surgery that the hospital anticipates will stop the pain Mary is experiencing. Let’s give Mary the chance to have a happy, healthy childhood.

Luckenson is a six-year-old boy from Haiti. He is one of four children and his single mother supports the family by working as a housekeeper. Luckenson is very malnourished and has problems getting sufficient nourishment. He is six but weighs only ten pounds. His mother is sometimes unable to work because she needs to take care of him. For $900, we can fund a surgery that will consist of putting a tube in his stomach, allowing him to eat and get nourishment properly. Luckenson will be able to grow and to feed, so he can properly develop and have a healthy life!

This handsome face belongs to Elvis, a one-year-old little boy from Guatemala. He lives with his parents and older brother, Henry. Interestingly, this family is no stranger to Watsi! Henry was a patient in the past, and Watsi is excited to continue to provide “family based care” to this deserving family! Like his brother, Elvis was born with blocked tear ducts in both eyes. This means that his eyes are constantly irritated and that his tears do not drain properly. In addition to being a cosmetic issue, this leads to frequent painful infections of the tear ducts. For $1,500 Elvis can receive bilateral tear duct surgery, as well as the associated lab work, medications and transportation to and from the hospital. Successful surgery should allow Elvis’ tear ducts to drain normally, which will alleviate the pain and discomfort he is experiencing. Additionally, his appearance will improve. Let's help this family for a second time and give Elvis the same care we gave to his older brother!

Benjamin is a 58-year-old man from Kenya. He is married, and the father of eight grown children. Benjamin works as a carpenter, and all of his children do whatever work they can find. The family works hard, but struggles to earn a sustainable living. Last month, Benjamin fell from the roof of a home and broke his thigh bone. He is in extreme pain, and is unable to walk or stand, let alone work. Benjamin needs surgery to repair the break in his femur. Without treatment, the pain will continue, and the broken bone could cause damage to the surrounding tissues and cartilage in his thigh. There is also the risk that the bone could become infected, which could lead to amputation. Benjamin says “I want to get well so that I can go back to work because I need to provide for my wife.” $1,200 will pay for Benjamin’s surgery, medication, and hospitalization. Let’s help this man get back on his feet and back to work providing for his family!

Ansley is an intelligent 14-year-old boy living in Haiti. Ansley’s mother is a primary school teacher and his father is a small farmer, both working hard to provide for Ansley and his siblings. Ansley loves school but had to put his schooling on hold after he lost the function of his right hand and leg, leaving him unable to walk and lift his hand. His mother took him to the doctors and the result of a CT scan revealed Ansley has a brain tumor. Ansley is now also losing his ability to talk and see well. Let’s raise $1500 for Ansley to travel to the Dominican Republic and receive the four-week radiation therapy. Ansley is excited to get back to school so let’s help him get the treatment he needs to have restored health!