Dennis is a very shy and quiet boy from Kenya. Dennis was born with anal rectal malformation, where he lacked an anal opening. This caused trouble to his parents as he could not pass stool for an entire week when he was born. He had a colostomy created and was required to proceed with subsequent surgeries of the anal opening and colostomy closure. However, for the last 17 years, he has survived with the colostomy. His parents were not able to raise the funds needed for his surgeries. His area chief recently forced Dennis's parents to bring him to Bethany Kids Kijabe after much suffering. At Bethany Kids Kijabe, he was diagnosed and surgery recommended. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. However, the family is still struggling financially. Dennis is the firstborn child in his family. Due to his condition, he has never been to school, being passed by all his 6 siblings who are schooling. Dennis is quite shy and prefers to be alone due to his condition. Successful surgery will allow Dennis to resume a relatively normal life like any other child and perhaps start schooling. His father is a security guard while his mother sells vegetables in their village.The family appeals for help. Dennis is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on October 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,327 to cover the total cost of Dennis's procedure and care. “If only I knew, I would have come here early. I feel like I have wasted his life,” says Dennis's father with regret.

Nesy is a baby from Tanzania. Nesy is a first born child to her newly wed parents who were very excited for her arrival. She was born in a local dispensary near their village. Nesy’s parents are subsistence farmers who earn very little and had to sell some of their cows and goats to be able to get trnsport to the hospital. Nesy 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, Nesy 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 $966 to cover the cost of Nesy's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 09. This procedure will hopefully spare Nesy from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Nesy’s mother says, “Please help my daughter get this surgery, I am so worried about her, she is very little and she has such a big problem. Please help us.”

Aloyce is a student from Tanzania. He is nineteen years old young man and the last born child in a family of three children. Aloyce only had the chance to study up to class seven. Due to financial challenges, he couldn’t continue with his studies and fulfill his dream of becoming an engineer. He stayed home helping his parents in their small scale farming to make himself productive and support his parents. Eventually a relative came in and offered to take him to Dar es Salaam and teach him welding work so that he could be able to make a living for himself. Aloyce has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Aloyce has been experiencing seizures and fainting. Without treatment, Aloyce will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Aloyce that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th and will drain the excess fluid from Aloyce's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Aloyce will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Aloyce says, “People look at me differently now due to this condition please help me get this treatment so that I can be able to resume my training and normal life activities again.”

Dachena is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, grandparents, and siblings in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. She likes going to school and singing in her church choir. Dachena has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Dachena will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500 to pay for surgery. Dachena's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Dachena's family overseas. Dachena said, "I hope that after surgery I will have more energy to do the things I enjoy!"

Chanmean is a third grade student from Cambodia. He has one sister and one brother. He likes studying literature and playing football. Two months ago, Chanmean developed a cataract in his right eye, causing him blurry vision and photophobia. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chanmean learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours seeking treatment. On November 8, doctors will perform a lensectomy surgery and an intraocular lens implant in his right eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $211 procedure. His father says, "I hope my son can see better so he can go to school."

Alvin is a young student from Kenya. He is in fifth grade. Alvin is the youngest in a family of two. Alvin was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Alvin has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Alvin will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 11. AMHF is requesting $459 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. "We were very concerned and worried when he told us about this problem. We pray that he gets help and hope the treatment will be successful so that he can continue with his studies,” Alvin’s mother says.

Oeun is a government worker from Cambodia. He has one son and two grandchildren. He likes to read the news in his spare time. Four months ago, Oeun developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision, photophobia, and tearing. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Oeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for one and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 15, doctors will perform a small incision 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 to return to work after the surgery."

Lennox is a three-month-old baby from Kenya who lives with his parents and two other siblings. His mother works as a subsistence farmer, and his father works as a motorbike taxi operator. About one week after his birth, Lennox's parents noticed that the circumference of their son's head was growing disproportionately rapidly compared to the rest of his body. Lennox was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an excess of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain that consequently increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Lennox is at risk of suffering severe physical and developmental delays that would likely culminate in a premature death. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Lennox that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 3 and will hopefully drain the excess fluid from Lennox’s brain, in turn reducing intracranial pressure and greatly improving his quality of life. With proper treatment, Lennox will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “The heart breaking cries from Lennox are really disturbing. I wish there was an easier way to take the pain from him,” says Lennox’s mother.

Blessing is a five-month-old baby girl from Kenya who lives with her parents. Her mother is a housewife, and her father does casual day tasks to earn an income for their family. When Blessing was one month old, her head began growing at a rapid rate. Her parents took her to a local hospital, where she was referred to our medical partner's care center, Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). At BKKH, Blessing was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. She was recommended for a shunt insertion surgery to drain the fluid. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $685 to cover the cost of hospital stay, medication, and lab fees. Blessing’s surgery will help eliminate the pressure on her brain, giving her the ability to live a long, healthy life.

Gloria is seven months old and lives with her mother in rural Guatemala. She has malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too little protein, calories, and nutrients. Malnutrition has left Gloria with a weakened immune system and little energy. Recently, Gloria has not wanted to eat and gets sick often. If Gloria does not receive treatment, she will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. Gloria’s mother says, “I want my daughter to get better soon, because she worries me a lot.” Fortunately, Gloria will begin nutritional treatment on January 16. While her mother does all that she can to support Gloria’s health, she cannot afford treatment for her daughter’s malnutrition without outside help. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,107 to fund her care. Treatment will give Gloria’s family tools to maintain nutritious diets, and it will give Gloria a chance to grow healthily.

Robert is an 8-year-old boy from Kenya. He is very bright and adores his grandparents who are his guardians. During his pre-operative interview, he pulled a chair out for his aged grandmother and pointed at it, asking her to sit. Eight years ago, Robert was born and later abandoned at the age of six-months by his mother when she noticed that he could neither hear or talk. He is now under the care of his grandparents and has grown very fond of them. Fortunately, Robert got sponsorship from the local government and is enrolled in a special school and doing very well. In early August, his grandmother noticed that his right testis was missing from the scrotal sac while giving him a bath. After consulting with a neighbor, they found that out of the ordinary. A scan recommended from the nearest local hospital confirmed that Robert has a right undescended testis and would require specialized treatment. If not treated, Robert may develop hernia or testicular cancer. His grandmother, the sole breadwinner, is a subsistence farmer and ails from high blood sugar while his is grandfather is bed-ridden after having a stroke. Robert’s grandmother wishes the best for her grandchild and hopes he will excel in life when she is gone. For $535, Robert will undergo an orchidopexy surgery at BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. This surgery will greatly reduce his risk of growing up with any complications. “I am hoping that someday all will be well, especially for my grandson. I really pray that God touches someone who can come through to fund Robert’s surgical care,” says Robert’s grandmother.

Mwesige is a 33-year-old father of four who operates a small banana farm with his wife. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to programs on the radio. For the last seven years, he has been living with an inguinal hernia, a painful condition whereby a weakening of the abdominal wall allows the intestines to protrude. The living he makes when he is farming has not been enough to afford the surgery he needs to repair the hernia. He has been trying to treat the pain by taking different herbs, but they are not enough to live comfortably. The pain now keeps him from working and if he does not get medical attention, the hernia can have serious and potentially fatal complications. With $220 in Watsi funding, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), will perform the surgery to fix Mwesige's hernia. Doctors will make an incision in his abdomen to adjust the intestine back into place, and then suture the weakened wall shut. The surgery will allow him to live pain-free. Mwesige looks forward to returning to work and helping his wife once he’s healthy. “My pain is making my wife work alone," he explains. "I wish I could get well and start working together with her.” His plan is to recover and expand the farm to better provide for his family.