Nanou is a four-year-old girl from Haiti. She is a happy and curious child who gets along with everyone. Her grandmother takes care of her while her mother works in the local market. Nanou was born with a ventricular septal defect and a patent ductus arteriosus. In other words, she has two holes in her heart. Blood leaks through these holes without obtaining oxygen from her lungs. This causes her weakness and shortness of breath. On November 16, Nanou traveled to the Cayman Islands to prepare for heart surgery. Doctors will close both holes with patches. Her family needs help to pay her $1,500 travel fees. Nanou's grandmother says, "We would like to thank God, the doctors and nurses, and everyone else who is helping Nanou get healthy again!"

Naw Goe is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. She has always lived in her village near Myawaddy, a border town on the Burma side of the Thai-Burma border. She is married with five children––two daughters and three sons. Naw Goe is a subsistence farmer who harvests rice and beans. She also raises pigs and chickens. Her three younger children assist her on the farm. Ten days ago, Naw Goe was returning home from working in the fields. She was traveling on a small tractor when a motorbike crashed into the vehicle. Naw Goe was injured, and she woke up across the border in a hospital in Thailand. There, Naw Goe underwent emergency treatment. She was referred to our medical partner for further treatment, including repair procedures for her broken jaw and nose. Naw Goe was in a great deal of pain, and she could barely move her jaw. She was worried about her family and their crops. “I just want to be home with my family,” she said, “preparing for the harvest of the bean and rice crops. I am worried for everyone.” On November 10, 2016, Naw Goe underwent internal fixation surgery to repair her injuries. After recovery, Naw Goe should be able to return to her work. Now, she needs help to pay $1,500 in healthcare costs.

Kasangazi is an 86-year-old farmer who lives with his wife in a village in Malawi. They have seven daughters, one son, and many grandchildren. Three years ago, Kasangazi developed painful symptoms and urinary dysfunction. He could no longer farm, do his household chores, or participate in activities with his family. On November 8, he underwent prostate surgery at our medical partner's hospital, Nkhoma District Hospital. Now, his family needs help to fund this $726 procedure. When he learned about Watsi, Kasangazi was overjoyed. He hugged the hospital staff and called Watsi "a miracle and a blessing."

Peter is a 15-year-old boy from a small town in southwest Haiti. He lives with his parents and two younger brothers. He enjoys going to school, and he hopes to become an engineer someday. Peter was born with an atrial septal defect, or a hole between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through the hole without first obtaining oxygen from the lungs, causing him weakness and shortness of breath. On November 14, Peter traveled to the Cayman Islands to undergo treatment. Surgeons will perform an open-heart surgery, sewing a patch to close the hole. Now, his family needs help to pay his $1,500 travel fees. "I have been waiting a very long time for the chance to have surgery," says Peter. "I am very happy and thankful to go to the hospital!"

"I hope Mae recovers from malnutrition and becomes a lively, strong, and healthy child," says Mae's mother. With the money Mae's father earns driving a taxi, he has difficulty providing enough food for his six children. Due to a diet lacking in calories and nutrients, four-year-old Mae has moderately acute malnutrition. Mae enjoys playing with the neighborhood kids, but she does not always have the energy her parents wish they could provide. Fortunately, Mae began a home-based malnutrition intervention program on October 19. Provided by International Care Ministries (ICM), Watsi's medical partner in the Philippines, the program will supply Mae with nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure she gains weight and achieves optimum physical and mental development. The $184 treatment program includes weekly visits by ICM staff to monitor Mae's progress. Staff and community volunteers will also educate Mae's parents about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening to ensure that her health is maintained in the future. Let's help to fund the treatment that will make Mae healthy and strong!

Choy is a 65-year-old rice farmer who is married with five sons and nine grandchildren. He likes to watch boxing on TV and listen to the news on the radio in his free time. About eight years ago, Choy developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, irritation, tearing, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. When he learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), he traveled for four hours with his son to reach CSC for treatment. On October 20, doctors removed his cataracts and inserted lens implants. After surgery, he will be able to see clearly again. "I hope I will be able to easily continue my work at the farm and do other work more easily than now," shares Choy.

18-year-old Luis lives in rural Guatemala with his mother. He has been living with epilepsy since he was two years old. Luis was a healthy child until he contracted a fever that left him unable to walk or get up from bed. The illness confined him to a wheelchair and resulted in seizures that still occur three to six times a week. Since then, Luis has tried many medications and treatment strategies with little success. On October 14, 2016, Luis began a series of diagnostic tests––including labs and an MRI––with physicians at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), to determine the cause of his seizures. The WK medical team will develop a personalized treatment plan to reduce the frequency and length of his seizures. Hopefully, this plan will improve Luis's quality of life. Now, Luis's mother needs help to pay for this $1044 treatment. “I dream my son will get better," she shares.

Joserelly is an eight-month-old boy from the Philippines who loves to crawl and play with toys.He lives in a small house with his parents and five siblings. The family does not have electricity, so they use candles at night for light. Joserelly's father is a laborer and doesn't have consistent work. This means that he often can't provide a steady source of food for his children. As a result, Joserelly is moderately malnourished. His malnutrition could lead to mental and physical disabilities, such as delayed social and problem solving skills. Joserelly began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 19. He is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. 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. ICM staff and community volunteers will make weekly visits to monitor Joserelly's progress, and they will educate his parents about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. This program will help Joserelly gain weight and reach normal mental and physical developmental milestones. "I hope my son recovers from malnutrition and I pray, someday, that he can go to school," says Joserelly's mother.

Laddie Shyn is a two-year-old girl from the Philippines. She lives with her family in a house made of concrete and cement. Laddie Shyn loves to play with her brothers and to watch TV. Laddie Shyn has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. She began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 18, 2016. Laddie Shyn 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.

Princess Jhoanna lives with her parents and five older siblings. Her father works as a construction worker and provides for the family. She loves to play with a wooden doll made by her father. Princess Jhoanna has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. She began $268 malnutrition treatment on October 18, 2016. Princess Jhoanna is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under 5 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. Her mother, Josie, shares, "I hope my daughter can recover from malnutrition and become healthy."

Gift is a 16-year old girl from Tanzania. She is the oldest child in her family. Gift's mother runs a small business, and her father is a carpenter. Gift had a seizure near a fire, and her clothes caught fire. Since then, she has been undergoing treatment for the burns she sustained. She received two successful surgeries to release burn contractures on her arms, which restored function to her arms and allowed her to perform tasks independently. On November 8, 2016, doctors at our medical partner's hospital, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, performed a skin graft surgery to remove damaged skin. After recovery, her arm should appear and function normally. Now, Gift's family needs help to pay for this $780 treatment. "I hope to be able to help my parents again soon," says Gift.

Meet Simon, a husband and father of one child. He lives with his family, including his younger siblings, in a rental house in Nairobi. Simon supports his family and siblings by working as a driver. Unfortunately, a road accident on November 3, 2016, left him with a fracture on his femur. He received first aid before being transferred to our medical partner's hospital, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Doctors performed a fracture repair surgery on November 9, 2016. This procedure will prevent any complications with the injury, including arthritis and permanent disability. After recovery, he should be able to return to work and provide for his family. Now, Simon needs our help to pay for this $1,451 procedure. “I want to be well and provide for my family, who rely on me completely," says Simon.