Zera is a five-year-old girl and the firstborn child in her family of two. She is a curious girl and very helpful with her young sister at home. Zera has not started school yet, but her parents hope to enroll her in school when she is seven years old.  Zera was born with a right clubfoot; a condition whereby her foot is curved inward at the ankle making it hard and painful to walk. Her parents and relatives tried to get her treatment at nearby clinics and were referred to other hospitals. Unfortunately, they could not afford to go. Zera has been experiencing difficulty in walking and playing due to the way her leg is curved. A few months ago Zera's aunt had her child treated at Watsi's Medical Partner's Care Center ALMC Hospital where she shared about Zera's condition. Zera's aunt told their family about the hospital hoping she could be assisted. Zera's parents are subsistence farmers who do not earn enough to pay for Zera's medical care and they need help so that Zera can start her treatment. This will allow Zera to be able to walk without difficulty when she starts school. Fortunately, Zera's family traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 15th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Zera's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily and free of pain. Zera shared with us, “I feel pain when walking, I cannot walk fast or run like my friends. I will be very happy if I receive treatment and be able to walk.”

Muhangi is a 42-year-old father of six from Uganda. “About four months ago, Muhangi started experiencing pain in his right inguinal (groin) region. He went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a hernia," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "However, Muhangi is unable to afford the surgery that was recommended to him. By selling plantains he earns a small income, with which he supports his family." As a result of his hernia, a portion of Muhangi’s intestines are protruding into his inguinal cavity through a small opening. This opening is crucial during male genital development, but normally closes fully before birth. If Muhangi does not receive treatment, he will be at risk for strangulation, or the swelling and constriction of blood in the herniated area. Because of the pain from his worsening hernia, Muhangi has not been able to work. AMHF tells us, “Muhangi is worried that his plantation has started deteriorating because his wife now works there alone. Soon it may stop giving him good bananas, which would mean no income for him and his family.” Muhangi and his family are in need of financial support. For $220, Muhangi will receive a hernia repair, which will return his protruding intestines to the abdominal cavity and close the inguinal opening. After surgery, Muhangi will no longer experience pain and will be able to return to his work on the plantation. Muhangi shares, “I am helpless now. I pray that I will receive surgery soon so that I can get well and resume working.”

Meet Jean Willio, a 17-month-old boy who lives in Haiti with his parents and seven older siblings. Jean Willio's two favorite pastimes are playing with his older siblings and enjoying music. His parents are both farmers. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) shares, "Jean Willio was born with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus, in which a hole in the heart which normally closes shortly after birth, remains open." As a result of his heart condition, "blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen." Without treatment, Jean Willio will remain sickly and weak. Jean Willio's family cannot afford the $1,500 surgery he needs to restore blood flow to his heart. Fortunately, we can help. After the surgery, "he should not have any further cardiac symptoms," says HCA. "We have made many trips to the hospital with our son," Jean Willio's father shares. "We are very happy his heart can be fixed so we don't have to do that anymore."

Meet Meng, a 61-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC) reports, “Meng is married with four children and three grandchildren.” CSC explains, “Meng has cataracts in both of his eyes that severely blur his vision. He finds it really hard to see far away and can’t go outside and drive his moto to go places.” Cataracts are a condition that occurs when proteins develop on the lens of the patient’s eyes, making the lenses cloudy and impairing vision. If the cataracts are not treated, the cloudiness increases over time and eventually results in total blindness. Meng is already experiencing the effects of the cataracts worsening. CSC tells us, “He likes to spend his days watching and listening to the news now that his eyesight is too bad for him to do work.” To save his sight, Meng needs surgery. In a short procedure, doctors will surgically remove the clouded lens and replace it with a new, artificial lens. Each eye is treated separately to ensure they are healing properly. Once Meng receives surgery on his left eye, he will be given 1-2 weeks to recover before he returns to the operating center to have surgery on the other eye. Being unable to work makes difficult for Meng to collect the money to pay for his procedure. However, with our support of $225, Meng will be able to receive the treatment he needs to have his sight restored. This money will cover the surgical costs, and hospital stay. Meng is excited to have the procedure and get back to enjoying his freedom. CSC shares, “He is most looking forward to driving his moto wherever he wants and picking his grandchildren up from school.”

17-year-old Daly visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, after a piece of firewood accidentally hit her in the eye. Doctors tell us that following the accident, "her vision began to blur and she has had to stop going to school." Daly needs $100 for surgery on her injured eye. Her doctors in Cambodia add, "she hopes her eyesight can be restored so she can read and return to school." Our support will pay for a simple, 40 minute surgery that will allow her to read again, finish her studies and embark on life with full sight.