Victor is a friendly and playful boy who is the youngest child in his family. His father passed away, so his mother is a single parent. The family lives in a one-roomed house. Victor's legs are bowed. He was brought to a hospital, where it was determined that he needs surgery to repair his condition. The $1,165 cost will cover the operation and his hospital stay. His treatment is scheduled for November 13. “If I get help for my son to undergo surgery since his condition is worsening and hindering his movement, I will be grateful," Victor's mother says.

Wilson is a happy and active five-month-old boy who often pulls at his mother in order to get her attention. He lives with his parents and grandparents in Eastern Kenya. They are subsistence farmers and have no cash income. Wilson was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. Spina bifida is a condition in which the spinal cord does not close all the way, causing cerebrospinal fluid to emerge in a pouch-like fashion from the back along the spine. If left untreated, this condition will put Wilson at risk for serious infection and hydrocephalus, and potentially prevent him from learning to walk. Surgery has been recommended. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to fund Wilson's surgery. He is scheduled for treatment on October 19 at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. After treatment, he will be able to grow and develop normally. “I would wish to see my son well and thriving,” Wilson's mother says.

Kim Horng is a 22-year-old student from Cambodia. She enjoys watching Thai drama movies and doing her homework. For the last ten years, she has had a noticeable curve in her spine, and has been diagnosed with scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the spine. The curve in her back has worsened and causes Kim Horng discomfort. Seeking treatment, Kim Horng visited our medical partner’s care center, Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, where she was told she would undergo a spinal fusion to treat her condition on September 5. 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 Kim Horng's surgery. Kim Horng's sister says,"I hope my sister gets help so she can continue her studies."

16-month-old Aria was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak. She will undergo open-heart surgery, in which a patch will be sewn over this hole. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, has requested $1,500 for treatment, which has already been partially subsidized by Gift of Life International. Aria is an orphan and lives in a children's home in Haiti on the same campus as the hospital where she will be having her surgery. She is very engaged with the world around her. Aria's surgery is scheduled for May 1. Fixing her heart defect will prevent complications later in life. "Everyone here loves Aria very much," the orphanage director expresses, "and is so happy to know that she can have this surgery!"

Angela is a two-month-old baby girl from Kenya. Angela's father sells brooms to make an income, and her mother stays at home to care for her. Angela was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess fluid builds up in the brain. If left untreated, her condition can cause increased intracranial pressure, delayed brain development, and permanent brain damage. On July 17, Angela will undergo brain surgery to drain the excess fluid from her head. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the total cost of Angela's procedure and care. “We want to have our child lead a normal life. We wish to see her grow as a normal child,” Angela's father says.

Thin is a 71-year-old grandmother with 15 grandchildren. She enjoys listening to the monks pray, participating in religious ceremonies, and caring for her grandchildren. Two years ago, Thin developed a cataract in each eye, which lead to blurry vision, tearing, and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). It is difficult for Thin to recognize faces, do any type of work, and go anywhere on her own. Thin traveled four hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On May 24, Thin will receive surgery to replace the lenses in her eyes with artificial ones. CSC is requesting $292 to help fund the surgery. After this procedure, Thin will see clearly again and be able to enjoy her favorite activities once more.

Habarurema is 61 years old. He is married and a father of three children. He is a subsistence farmer from Uganda. Twenty years ago, Habarurema developed bilateral swellings in his groin. As the swellings increased in size and grew painful, he started using herbs and painkillers to reduce the pain. Habarurema reports experiencing pain when lifting heavy objects. At the suggestion of a neighbor, Habarurema visited our medical partner’s care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, where he was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernias. An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Without treatment, Habarurema may experience intestinal blockage or damage. Fortunately, on March 8, Habarurema will undergo hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund the procedure. After surgery, he hopes to continue farming in order to earn money and support the education of his children. “I would like to have surgery so that I can work and look after my family,” says Habarurema.

Sanyu is a 43-year-old farmer from Uganda. She is married but has no children. Two years ago, Sanyu developed a small swelling in her left groin. As the swelling increased in size and grew painful, she started taking painkillers to reduce the pain. Sanyu reports that she experiences pain when she has to lift heavy objects or walk long distances. At the suggestion of a friend, Sanyu visited our medical partner’s care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a left inguinal hernia. An inguinal hernia occurs when tissue protrudes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscles. Without treatment, Sanyu may experience intestinal blockage or damage. Fortunately, on March 8, Sanyu will undergo a hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund the procedure. After surgery, Sanyu hopes to resume farming in order to provide food for her family.

Zoila is 13 months old and lives with her family in rural Guatemala. She has been diagnosed with malnutrition, a dangerous condition resulting from a diet with too little protein, calories, and nutrients. In the short term, malnutrition means Zoila has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak, leaving her vulnerable to illness. Without adequate nutrition, she will also be at risk of long-term consequences, such as developmental delays or chronic disease. Fortunately, she is scheduled to begin treatment on January 19. Zoila likes playing with her rattle and eating papaya. Her father works in agriculture, and her mother takes care of the household. While Zoila’s parents work hard to provide for their family, they cannot afford their daughter's treatment. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $437 to fund Zoila's treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Zoila recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Zoila a chance to grow healthy and strong. "I want my daughter to study," says her mother, "so that in the future, she will have a good profession."

Paul is a four-year-old boy from Kenya. He has a twin brother. Paul lives with his family in a rental house in Nairobi. Paul was diagnosed with hypospadias, a condition that causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms. Without treatment, Paul risked infertility or social stigma. Fortunately, he visited our medical partner's hospital and underwent a repair surgery on December 28. Paul's parents are unable to pay for his treatment. His mother is a greengrocer, while his father works at a milk bar. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to fund Paul's treatment. "I try to give my children the best," says Paul's mother. "I’ll appreciate any support."

Rean is a 54-year-old rice farmer and grandfather who lives in Cambodia. He's married with six children and four grandchildren. He likes to watch the news on TV and listen to monks pray on the radio. About a year ago, Rean developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light. It's hard for him to go out on his own, recognize faces, or do work. Cataracts are very common in Cambodia and are one of the leading causes of blindness in adults. Fortunately, on October 27, Rean underwent cataract surgery with our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. Surgeons removed the cloudy lenses in his eyes and replaced them with new, clear implants. Now, Rean needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope my eyes can see more clearly," he says, "so that I can continue my work in the fields and easily go anywhere outside by myself."

Meet Mary Rose, a four-year-old girl from the Philippines with ten siblings. Mary Rose and her family live in a small bamboo hut. They have no access to electricity, and they get their water from a well. Her father, Teofilo, is a fisherman. Mary Rose loves to play, jump, and run with the other children in her neighborhood. Mary Rose has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. She began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 20. She is being 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 acutely 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. Mary Rose's parents are hoping that she will grow up healthy and successfully finish her studies in the future.