Magret is a 49-year-old small scale farmer from Uganda. She is a single mother of four children and lives in a two-room mud house. Her oldest child is 28 years old and recently received a diploma, but has not yet found a job. Her second born child unfortunately left school after primary school class seven due to a lack of school fees. Her thirdborn child is 21 years old and in secondary school class four, while her youngest is 17 years old and in secondary school class two. She pays for their school fees through her work as a farmer. Since August 2022, Magret has been experiencing lower abdominal pains. She visited a nearby health clinic where she was prescribed medication that helped for some time, but her symptoms returned earlier this year. She is in pain but cannot stop farming because she relies on it to care for her family. Magret has been diagnosed with uterine fibroids and needs to undergo a hysterectomy, or a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Magret receive treatment. On April 14th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH's care center. Once recovered, Magret will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. Now, she needs help raising $319 to fund her procedure and care. Magret shared, "I believe that I will get well through surgery. I hope to continue with farming comfortably after surgery so that I may be able to continue taking good care of myself and my family."

Brendah is a tall, humble, and shy 17-year-old. She is a student in senior three level at school and hopes to become a nurse. Brendah lives with her aunt because her parents separated, and her mother married another man. Her aunt is a farmer, and Brendah helps her with domestic chores around the house. Brendah has suffered for 11 years with a large swelling on her right arm. She sought help from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). The swelling is now so large that it limits her movement and is painful when she lifts her arm, when writing, and when pressed. Brendah traveled to AMH's care center for treatment. On September 5th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Brendah needs help to raise $188 to fund this procedure. Brendah's aunt says, “This condition has even affected her school performance but I hope once operated, she will have a normal life again.”

When Joyce was born, the doctors noticed her constant agitation and the abnormal size of her head. She was immediately admitted into the nursery for further observation, where she experienced convulsions. Joyce was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a skull condition causing excess pressure on the brain. As she grew, Joyce continued to be irritable and was unable to keep anything she ate down. Joyce’s mother says, “I really hope that Joyce can get treatment.” Fortunately, Joyce will undergo brain surgery to repair her condition and alleviate the symptoms caused by hydrocephalus. Surgery is scheduled at our medical partner's care center for August 23. Joyce's father is in school and her mother stays at home to take care of her and her three-year-old brother. They need help funding this $685 operation. Joyce's mother hopes and prays that her daughter will be able to get the treatment so that she can live a healthy, normal life.

Lwin is a 38-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and their two children. Lwin looks after her mother and children while her husband works as a day laborer to make a living. Four years ago, Lwin started experiencing chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. She was diagnosed with heart disease and told she would need surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Lwin's surgery, scheduled for July 17. After treatment, Lwin hopes to find a job to help support her family.

Carlos is a 14-year old student who lives in an orphanage on the southern coast of Haiti. Carlos is currently in the eighth grade and would like to become a doctor or an engineer when he grows up. Carlos suffers from mitral and aortic regurgitation, both of which resulted from the rheumatic fever that he contracted several years ago. Due to his conditions, blood backs up into his heart and does not properly circulate throughout his body, leaving Carlos weak, short of breath, and at risk of heart failure. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Carlos's air transportation to the Cayman Islands, where he is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 5. Once there, he will receive the care that he needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. Carlos says, "I am very happy that I can have this chance to heal my heart, and would like to say thank you to everyone."

Mary is a 65-year-old woman from Kenya. She lives with her daughter-in-law and supports herself by working on local farms. Since December of last year, Mary's eyesight has been rapidly deteriorating. She received eye drops from a local clinic, but was unable to administer them properly. Seeking an evaluation and treatment, Mary visited our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, where she was diagnosed with a cataract in her right eye. Mary is scheduled to undergo cataract surgery on June 19, and is very excited to regain her vision. She is asking for $220 to cover the total cost of her procedure. "I wish to be treated so that I can see clearly," says Mary.

Nduhukire is a 48-year-old woman from Uganda. She is a farmer, wife, and mother of one. For the past year, Nduhukire has experienced a swelling on her forearm. She thought it would go away on its own, but it has become more painful and grown over time. Nduhukire visited a local clinic and the swelling was diagnosed as a cyst. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, Nduhukire is scheduled to undergo cyst removal surgery on July 6. She is requesting $187 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Once recovered, Nduhukire will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain.

“I would do anything I could to see my baby healthy again,” says the mother of Youdelande, a nine-month-old girl who lives with her parents and siblings in Haiti. Youdelande’s mother brought her to our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), seeking treatment for hydrocephalus, a condition in which there is an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain. CSF is a clear fluid that is produced in the chambers, or ventricles, of the brain. In an infant, too much CSF can increase pressure on the brain and inside the skull, leading to an enlarged head and developmental issues. “Three months [after her birth], Youdelande became sick when suddenly her head started getting abnormally large,” explains PM. “A CT scan has been performed, and the results reveal that Youdelande has excess fluid in the brain, and she needs surgical Intervention to save her life.” Doctors recommend surgical placement of a shunt in Youdelande’s brain to drain the excess CSF. The shunt is connected to a tube that runs under the skin and empties into an abdominal cavity, where the excess CSF is resorbed by the body. Youdelande’s father, who grows food to feed the family, and her mother, who works as a wash lady, have not been able to raise money to pay for the surgery that Youdelande needs. With $1,260 in funding, Youdelande can undergo surgery to place the shunt, receive five days of hospital care, and 40 days of physiotherapy. “After the treatment,” shares PM, “Youdelande will grow up in good shape.” Let’s help fund surgery for Youdelande!

This is Nesca, a 11-year-old girl from Haiti. Nesca lives with her parents, two siblings, and four other relatives. "Nesca loves to play 'hide and seek’ and go to church," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "She plans to continue with her schooling and hopes to become a doctor. She loves math and feels that this is her strongest subject in school.” "Nesca was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect, which involves a hole between the two upper chambers (atria) of the heart," HCA explains. "Blood passes through this hole and back to the body without first obtaining oxygen, leaving her constantly short of breath and unable to exert herself." Nesca needs cardiac surgery to close the defect, and the procedure will cost $1500. After surgery, blood will flow through hear heart normally, and she will see relief of all of her symptoms. "I am looking forward to being able to run and play after my surgery!" Nesca tells us.

Meet Jane, a 50-year-old joyful and loving mother to three children. For almost five years, Jane has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and bleeding as a result of small, benign tumors in the uterus called fibroids. Jane's condition has made normal housework, farming, and socializing difficult. If left untreated, Jane will continue to be in pain and bleed, which puts her at risk for anemia. “Jane is a single lady with three children,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. “Due to her low socio-economic status, she was not able to educate her children to secondary school. Therefore, Jane's children have limited opportunities to help themselves or their mother. Jane's children work as casual laborers with little irregular income. Jane really needs support for this important surgery.” For $790 Jane will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove the fibroids. Jane is expected to recover fully and “will be free from pain, bleeding, and the risk of anemia," adds AMHF. "My children have no one else to look to," shares Jane. "I need to be well to continue guiding them in life. I hope Watsi will support me to have this surgery."