Sonita is a fourth grader from Cambodia. She has two sisters and one brother. She loves to watch cartoons, read textbooks, and play games on her phone. In April 2018, Sonita fell off her bicycle and fractured her left elbow. She is in chronic pain, and she has difficulty using her left elbow. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On July 10, Sonita will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This procedure will help her regain mobility in her arm and elbow. She says, "I hope my arm doesn't hurt after surgery and I can return to school."

Kar is an eight-month-old baby boy from Burma. He was born three months prematurely in Bangkok, where his parents used to work previously. When he was seven months old, his parents moved back with him to Burma. Kar 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 Kar, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 22, and, once completed, will greatly improve Kar's quality of life.

Peace is a five-year-old girl from Kenya. She is very polite and friendly. Her mother is a laborer. Unfortunately, her father passed away five years ago after a long illness. Peace has a condition called severe bilateral genu valgus, also known as knock knees. This means her knees bend and touch each other when her legs are straightened. This condition hinders her ability to walk and causes her pain. Fortunately, she is scheduled to undergo corrective orthopedic surgery at our medical partner's care center on May 24. This surgery will eliminate her pain and allow her to walk. Her mother needs help raising $1,165. “I will be happy if you help my daughter undergo surgery and later on join school," says her mother.

Ruth is a baby from Tanzania. She is the first-born child to her parents, who got married a year ago. Ruth’s mother is a stay-at-home mother, while her father owns a small business. Ruth 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, Ruth 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 Ruth's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 11. This procedure will hopefully spare Ruth from the risks associated with her condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop along a healthy trajectory. Ruth’s mother says, “Please help our daughter get better, I am worried for her she does not feed well and she cries a lot. Please help her.”

Alvis is an 18-month-old boy from Kenya. He lives in Nairobi with his family of two children. Alvis's father works as a painter, and his mother stays home to care for the children. Recently, he has been experiencing vomiting and troubling symptoms. The family visited many hospitals but did not receive a diagnosis or treatment due to lack of money. Finally, the family visited our medical partner's care center. Alvis has a brain tumor. Without treatment, the tumor may lead to vision loss, brain damage, or death. Fortunately, he will undergo a craniotomy to remove the tumor on March 26. His family needs help raising $1,500 to fund surgery. “At night I twist and turn worried from the heart retching cries from Alvis and occasionally drift into nightmares of having lost him. I have faith that this will change soon,” shares Alvis’s mother.

Huy is a young student from Cambodia. He enjoys watching sports on TV and going out with friends. His favorite sport is football, which he plays with his friends. In January 2017, he was in a motorcycle accident, and he fractured his right leg. It is difficult for him to walk without pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On February 5, Huy will undergo a fracture repair procedure, which will cost $430. This surgery will help him be able to walk normally again.

Sabri is a student from Tanzania. He is currently in grade three of his secondary school education. Sabri loves school and performs well. Sabri’s father is a judiciary court clerk, and his mother is a housewife. They have eight kids, five of whom are still in school Sabri has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Sabri traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on January 18. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Sabri's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will walk well and will no longer be in pain when walking. Sabri says, “I cannot play football and my leg hurts when I walk. I am happy that I will be able to walk well and without pain. Thank you so much.”

"Ultimately, my dream is to return to good health and to have children with my husband,” shares Kyi, a 27-year-old woman from Burma. Recently, Kyi was given an ultrasound at a local clinic. Her doctors discovered a fibroid, or benign tumor, in her uterus. These growths are known to cause miscarriages and other fertility problems, a fact that has caused much stress to Kyi and her family. If untreated, the fibroid could also cause Kyi additional symptoms, such as pain and heavy menstrual bleeding further down the line. To slow the fibroid’s growth, Kyi was prescribed medication, but it has not helped. Her doctors are now recommending that she undergo a surgical procedure to remove her fibroids. Although Kyi is eager to begin this treatment plan, she cannot afford to pay for it on her own. She and her husband earn their living by helping her parents on the family farm, but this does not leave them with much income for unforeseen expenses. Fortunately, we can bridge the gap for $960. This sum will cover Kyi’s operation on July 20, as well as the necessary lab tests, five-day hospital stay, and pre- and post-operative appointments. Let’s make sure that Kyi has the opportunity to one day become a mother.

Seiyanoi is the oldest child in her Masai family. Her parents are traditional Masai herders who abide by certain traditions, including traditions regarding health and medicine. In the Masai culture, herbal medicines are the most widely used form of medical treatment. In addition to attending school, Seiyanoi assists in household duties as well as herding activities. About one year ago, Seiyanoi was burned when she stepped on hot ash. Her father has treated her burns with herbal medicine, but her injuries never healed properly. She is at risk of developing further complications if she doesn't undergo a skin graft operation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is sponsoring Seiyanoi's procedure, scheduled for June 13. AMHF is seeking $1,129 to cover her procedure, as well as fourteen nights of hospital stay and additional necessary medical supplies. Seiyanoi's family was able to contribute $103 towards her treatment. Seiyanoi has expressed her desire to continue her education and help her parents around their home. She says, “I want to go back to class like other children in my village."

Moe is a 21-year old man from Burma. He has eight siblings, but his parents passed away when he was 15. Moe worked in a restaurant kitchen until a medical condition prevented him from continuing with his work. Moe was born with a dark birthmark on his face. When he was 17, the birthmark began to grow, eventually creating pressure on his forehead and eyelid. Moe also experienced a growth on his thigh. When he was 15, he was playing soccer with his friends, and was kicked in the leg by another player. He felt a shooting pain in his leg, and has experienced ongoing pain since. He visited a local hospital, where he received an x-ray, and was informed that he would need surgery to address the cyst on his leg. Moe decided to use traditional medicine to treat the pain, which did not work. Having heard of Watsi’s program with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), he decided to seek help. Doctors suggested the cyst be surgically removed On October 4, Moe will undergo a cyst excision procedure. He needs help to fund this $1,500 surgery. Moe said, "I love cooking, and am eager to return to work to the restaurant industry. With time, I dream of becoming a chef".

Mpapa is a 10-year-old boy from Kenya. He lives with his parents and five siblings in a small town north of Nairobi. His father is a motorcycle taxi driver who also raises goats. Recently, Mpapa was involved in a motorcycle accident that resulted in the amputation of the fingers of his right hand. His father rushed him to a local hospital, where he was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital. Doctors recommended a debridement procedure and a skin graft in order to prevent infection of the bones and of the exposed tissue. Mpapa's father immediately sold eight of the family goats in order to pay for Mpapa's hospital admission, however the money is still not enough to cover the recommended treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,129, on top of the $206 subsidized by Mpapa's family, to cover the cost of Mpapa's operation. The procedures are scheduled to take place on June 29 and, once completed, will hopefully protect Mpapa's hand from infection. “I would like to see my son doing okay and being able to utilize his hand," says Mpapa's father.

Frantz is a 12-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his mother, younger brother, and grandparents. His mother is a medical student, and Frantz is currently in sixth grade with a similar aspiration to go to medical school and become a doctor. Frantz was born with ventricular septal defect, a cardiac condition in which there is a hole between the heart's two lover chambers. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. Have a Heart Cayman is subsidizing Frantz'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 26 and, once complete, will greatly improve Frantz's quality of life. "I am excited for my surgery so that I can do anything I want without getting tired and having to sit down," shares Frantz.