Erick is a 15-year-old student from Tanzania and the third born in a family of five children. He is a smart, kind, and friendly boy who is currently at school of people with learning disabilities. Erick was born with spina bifida which has resulted in him not being able to stand or walk and this is because the condition was never corrected. His parents didn't know what to do or where to go to seek treatment for their son due to financial challenges. They have no stable source of income other than seeking casual laboring jobs were they are able to get money to buy basics and little commodities. Erick was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Erick is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,015 to cover the cost of Erick's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 28th. This procedure will hopefully spare Erick from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Erick shared hopefully, “If I have my back corrected and heal, I will go back to school and work hard to be the best tailor so that I can work by myself and help my family.”

Ampaire is an 18-month-old boy and the oldest child of his single mother. Six months ago, he developed a painful swelling in his left groin region. He was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a left inguinal scrotal hernia. His doctors recommended surgery, but his mother could not afford treatment. Without treatment, hernias can lead to continued pain, infertility, organ strangulation, and other complications. Fortunately, Ampaire and his mother visited our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On December 7, he is scheduled to undergo a repair surgery, during which doctors will move Ampaire's organs back inside the intestinal wall, relieving his symptoms. For $249, we can fund this procedure. “I am stressed and worried because my baby is sick, and I don’t have money to pay for his treatment.” says his mother. Let's help her and Ampaire!

Musinguzi is an 11-month-old baby whose single mother teaches nursery school. Since birth, Musinguzi has had a swelling in his right groin region. One month ago, he was taken to a hospital, where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. His mother could not afford to pay for a repair surgery. Fortunately, a friend advised her to bring Musinguzi to our medical partner's hospital, Holy Family Virika Hospital. Musinguzi's hernia causes him pain and makes it difficult for him to breastfeed. Without treatment, he is at risk of further complications. Fortunately, he will undergo a repair surgery on December 7. For $249, we can fund this surgery. Musinguzi's mother says, “Stepping into this office has given me hope my baby will be well.”

Rebecca is a four-month-old girl from Uganda. Her mother passed away shortly after her birth. Therefore, Rebecca was never breastfed. She has always had difficulty digesting formula, but her condition has grown worse recently. Rebecca has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. Rebecca lives with her grandmother, Maria, and her four-year-old brother. Maria walked three hours carrying Rebecca to the hospital from their remote village for treatment. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, Rebecca will begin her malnutrition treatment on January 9. Acute malnutrition is very treatable. Therapeutic milk products and micronutrients will help Rebecca recover. Treatment will enable her gain weight and strengthen her immune system. Maria provides for her family by growing food on her own land. She also weaves mats in her spare time for extra income. She is a window and has difficulty supporting her grandchildren. She cannot afford the hospital and treatment fees. She needs $316 to fund this treatment. “I appreciate so much the help for my granddaughter," says Maria. "I want her to grow strong, so she can go to school when she is older."

Thou is a 77-years-old married woman from Cambodia. She has three sons, two daughters, and over ten grandchildren. In her free time, she likes to go to the pagoda and listen to monks pray. Thou heard about the Children's Surgical Center (CSC), a Watsi medical partner, from a neighbor who had surgery there before. She traveled for two hours with her daughter to reach CSC for treatment. Thou developed a cataract in each eye about one year ago, causing blurred vision and headaches. This makes it difficult for her to see things clearly, do any work, and go anywhere by herself. After a small incision cataract surgery (SICS) and intraocular lens (IOL) implant in each eye, Thou will be able to see clearly again. $292 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Thou needs. Thou says, "I hope I can see everything more clear than now so that I can easily do any work at home and I can go to the pagoda or anywhere else by myself without needing to disturb others to take care of me."

Diego lives alone with his mother in a one-room adobe house that is rented from family members. Diego's mother does not work, and is currently borrowing money from family members to pay for living expenses. She does not have enough money to buy much food for herself some days, and buying formula is just not something that she could ever afford, even if she sold all of her belongings. Diego's step father has left Diego's home and has not been back (we have verified that Diego and his mother are in a safe home situation). His mother is unable to breastfeed Diego. Now, Diego is losing weight extremely quickly and faces the life-threatening danger of getting diarrhea, fever, or an acute respiratory infection. Our community health worker had to give Diego empirical treatment before beginning formal treatment with out nutritionist to prevent a life-threatening situation. With $1016, Diego can receive proper nutrient supplementation. Although Diego's condition is severe, it is very treatable. He will receive formula which will give him the calories, nutrients, and protein he needs to grow and develop normally. His mother will receive motivational nutrition education so she knows what and when to feed her child to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Diego's mother shared: "I dream that my son will be a good student and be able to become a professor."

Meet Ian, a baby boy from Malawi. According to our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), “Ian is second born child in a family of four.” Although he is at an important age of early childhood development, Ian currently faces growth complications due to congenital hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a rare condition in which cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) builds up in the brain, creating a blockage. As this fluid accumulates, intracranial pressure increases, and the brain begins to swell. If left untreated, this condition can contribute to long-term health complications--typically causing vision problems and brain damage in its congenital form. At this point, WAM states, “Ian has an enlarged head and difficulties with feeding.” While they are supportive, Ian’s family is dependent on his father’s modest income earned as an electrician, which is not enough to cover the cost of Ian’s treatment. With $992, Ian will receive surgery to drain the excess CSF from his brain. The procedure--an endoscopic third ventriculostomy--will naturally remove the fluid blockage, therefore reducing the pressure in Ian's brain. To support his recovery, Ian will also receive seven days of hospital care. Ian’s mother shares, “I am so excited for the surgery. I hope my child can get well and lead a normal life.”