"Veronica is a very happy little girl," says our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). "She likes to laugh a lot with her brothers and sisters. Her mother is a small business woman who sells vegetables. Currently she is unable to do business because of her daughter’s condition and is struggling a lot to care for the family." Veronica is a 4-year-old girl from Malawi who lives with hydrocephalus -- a buildup of fluid in her brain. Her head is therefore larger than normal, and she has been delayed in reaching normal milestones. "She has not started sitting on her own and cannot talk," WAM tells us. "She has sight problems and is difficult to feed." For $992, doctors can insert a shunt in Veronica's head and drain the excess fluid. This procedure will normalize the pressure in her head and with time, it will return to a normal size. "Treatment will enable her to develop normally and participate in all the activities girls at her age enjoy," WAM adds. "Veronica is my last born daughter; I love her so much that I would be the happiest parent if her condition is treated," her mother tells us.

“Phyllis first noticed a lump in her left breast two years ago,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. “She did not pay it much attention. A year later, while hospitalized with pneumonia, the lump was biopsied and she was informed that she had breast cancer." Phyllis, a 61-year-old mother from Kenya, visited several hospitals after receiving her diagnosis. But after extensive consultation, "she lost hope due to the high cost of the treatment," says AMHF. Phyllis is married with five children. She works on a farm with her husband to support her family, but has been unable to work recently due to pain on her upper left side. Phyllis needs a mastectomy to remove the mass, and prevent the cancer from spreading to other organs. “If not treated soon,” AMHF continues, “the cancer could spread to other vital organs in Phyllis’ body and this could result in death.” A mastectomy will cost $740. “I did not know that the small lump in my breast could be such a serious issue,” Phyllis tells us. “I thought I had been bitten by a spider. I thank God that it is not too late for me to get treated. Thank you for helping my family with the cost of my treatment.”

Meet Alice, a 63-year-old mother of six children from Kenya. Alice lives with her daughter, and they work casual, short-term jobs whenever they are available. Last month, Alice was involved in a hit-and-run vehicle accident. She was taken to the hospital by a stranger who witnessed the incident, and diagnosed with a left ankle fracture. “The surgeon has recommended that Alice receive an ORIF [open reduction and internal fixation], but she does not have any money for the procedure,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Her surgeon was asking for a referral to a government facility where she hoped she might get help.” Alice had hoped to start a small business, but after her accident she was unable to continue with this dream. With her children unable to find a stable income, Alice is unable to afford the medical bill to help her receive treatment on her left ankle fracture. “Alice is experiencing pain and swelling on her left ankle due to her fracture,” AMHF explains. “If it is not treated, her ankle bones may fail to unite and lead to permanent disability.” For $1,125, we can provide Alice with ORIF surgery to help reunite her left ankle bones. She will have the chance to start a business and to support her family once again. “I will be very grateful to God if I get help from Watsi,” Alice tells AMHF.