Yeng is a construction worker from Cambodia. He has a sister. He likes watching music videos and TV and hanging out with his friends. In June 2017, he was in a motor vehicle accident that caused an open wound on his ankle. He has difficulty walking and is unable to work. When Yeng learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On March 8, surgeons at CSC will perform a peroneus brevis flap procedure to to close the wound and allow him to walk again. Now, he needs help to fund this $606 procedure. His sister says, "I hope after the operation my brother can walk by himself and will be able to work again."

Jasmin is a young girl from Tanzania. She is the last born in a family of two children. Jasmin’s mother is a stay-at-home mother, and her father owns small stationery shop. Jasmin has been diagnosed with windswept deformity. This means her left leg bows outward and her right leg bows inward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, it is difficult and uncomfortable for her to walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Jasmin. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 16. Treatment will hopefully restore Jasmin's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Jasmin’s mother says, “Thank you so much for helping my daughter get the surgery she needs. She has been in pain and discomfort and often complains of not being able to walk properly. I believe this surgery will be of help for her. Thank you so much for helping us make this possible.”

Bo is a four-month-old baby boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Hlaingbwe Township, Karen State. Bo was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Bo, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 17, and, once completed, will greatly improve Bo's quality of life. His mother says, "As parents, we are very worried about Bo's condition. We understand that he will probably have continued mobility problems in the future, but we are anxious to prevent any further complications."

Kea Hong is an administrative assistant from Cambodia. She has ten siblings and enjoys spending time with her friends. Three years ago, Kea Hong 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, Kea Hong experiences hearing loss, tinnitus, and ear discharge. She's worried about her hearing getting worse and it's difficult to listen at work. Kea Hong traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On December 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. Her aunt says, "I hope my niece can heal her infection and stop the problem from getting worse."

Meet Jessie, a baby boy barely two months old. At birth, Jessie was diagnosed with both spina bifida (an open spinal defect) and hydrocephalus. Jessie’s mother visited a local hospital, but the hospital could not offer further specialized treatment. They were then referred to our medical partner's care center, where a surgery has been recommended to treat the spina bifida. If not treated, Jessie is at risk for future complications. The income of a subsistence farmer is not enough to fund for the surgical care Jessie requires. The family needs help raising $1,097 to fund his procedure, scheduled for August 23.

Kenson is a 12-year-old boy from Haiti who enjoys going to school and listening to soccer games on the radio. Kenson was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which the vessel that connects the body's two major arteries, the aorta and the pulmonary artery, fails to close. In turn, oxygen-rich blood from one artery mixes with the oxygen-poor blood from the other, placing strain on Kenson's heart that often leaves him short of breath. Additionally, Kenson was also born with an aortic valve that is too narrow, further complicating his heart's ability to pump blood to his body. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Kenson's air transportation to his surgery, which is scheduled to take place on July 5. Once at the site of surgery, Kenson will receive the treatment that he needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. "I am excited for my heart to be fixed so I can do more things without getting tired," says Kenson.

Kunthea is a 14-year-old student from Cambodia. When Kunthea was a child, she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. The curve in her back has worsened and causes Kunthea discomfort. Seeking treatment, Kunthea visited our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, where she was told she would undergo a procedure to treat her condition. The surgery with help correct the position of the bones, and prevent further curving of the spine. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $1,500 to cover the cost of Kunthea's surgery on September 5. Kunthea's mother says, "I want my daughter to be healthy and stay in school".

Nyolly is a two-year-old boy from Port-au-Prince, Haiti. He lives with his parents and two older brothers. Nyolly is a happy child, and he loves listening to music, clapping his hands, and dancing. Nyolly was born with a ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which the wall between the left and right ventricles isn't fully formed. The hole in the ventricular septum allows blood to pass between the chambers without circulating through the lungs to oxygenate first. As a result, Nyolly's blood is very oxygen-poor, leaving him weak and sick. Have a Heart Cayman is subsidizing Nyolly's heart surgery, however he still requires overseas transport to our medical partner's care center, Health City Cayman Islands. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is therefore requesting $1,500 to cover the costs of air transportation to the site of surgery, cardiac examinations, and medications. The treatment is scheduled to be administered on May 16 and, once complete, will greatly improve Nyolly's quality of life. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping Nyolly get the heart surgery he needs," says Nyolly's mother.

Margaret is a mother of four from Kenya. She works at a food packaging company, and sends the extra money she makes home to her husband. Margaret noticed a small lump in her breast in April of 2016, and sought treatment at a local hospital. A biopsy was recommended, and she was later diagnosed with breast cancer. In order to stop the cancer from spreading, Margaret needs a mastectomy. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, she is now scheduled to receive her mastectomy on June 14. She is requesting $816 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Margaret said, “I want to be well and continue working to help my husband and family.”

Jovia is an 80-year-old woman from southwestern Uganda. She is a widow who has seven children and currently lives with four grandchildren. A former church minister, Jovia is now a small farmer who grows food for her family's consumption. She grows plantains, beans, cabbages, maize, cassava, potatoes, and other crops. When she is not farming, Jovia enjoys listening to the Sunday programs on the radio after church. She also enjoys listening to her grandchildren play at home and share their school experiences. She is an elder in her community, so many young women come to her for advice about family life and community issues. Jovia has had a lump in her left breast for approximately four years. It has been growing and causing her increasing pain. Her doctor has advised that it be removed. On March 17, Jovia will have a surgery at our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital, to excise the mass from her left breast. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $196. This will pay for Jovia's surgery, medications, and three nights in the hospital. Jovia is looking forward to going back home after her mass has been removed and continuing work on her farm. “Thank you to the donors for this help,” says Jovia.

Hadija is a four-year-old girl from Tanzania. She is in nursery school and enjoys reading and singing. She lives with her parents and siblings. Her father is a taxi driver, and her mother is a homemaker. In March 2016, Hadija's mother noticed Hadija had a fever and difficulty breathing and swallowing. Hadija was taken to a local hospital, where she was given medication, but her condition did not improve. Hearing about our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Hadija's mother decided to take her for additional treatment. There, Hadija was diagnosed with tonsillitis. On April 27, Hadija will undergo surgery at Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre (ALMC), our medical partner's care center, to remove her tonsils. Our medical partner is asking for $633 to cover the cost of Hadija's care. The surgery will allow her to eat and swallow without pain. Hadija's mother is very grateful to the Watsi donors!

Bethany is a two-year-old girl from the Philippines. She loves to play, dance, and sing. Her family lives in a bamboo house and obtains water from the spring. They don't have access to electricity and use a kerosene lamp instead. Bethany has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens Bethany's growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, she will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 21. Bethany will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Bethany's mother hopes that she becomes healthy enough to go to school.