Kawembabazi is a 20-year-old student from Uganda. She has eight siblings, and her parents are farmers who cultivate food both for home consumption and for sale. In the future, Kawembabazi hopes to become a nurse. In December 2016, Kawembabazi felt a mass in her left breast. She shared her concern with her parents, however they didn't pay it much attention because the mass was not painful. In May 2017, our medical partner's care center ordered a scan and diagnosed Kawembabazi with a fibroadenoma, a noncancerous breast tumor. She was advised to have surgery as soon as possible in order to prevent the mass from growing and developing a malignancy of any sort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $196 to fund mass excision surgery for Kawembabazi. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 28 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Kawembabazi to live more comfortably. Kawembabazi says, "After surgery I will have peace of mind because I am worried it might be cancerous."

“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!

Meet Sautso, a 36-year-old businessman from Malawi. Sautso has a brain tumor that causes memory loss, frequent headaches, seizures, and red eyes. He has been unable to do his business and take care of his family as his condition has worsened. For $1,500, our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, can remove Sautso's tumor with a surgery called a brain tumor resection. Funding covers direct surgical care as well as lab costs, medicinal costs, and travel costs. Also included are two days of examination in the Intensive Care Unit after the surgery. Sautso tells us, “I am so excited to have the operation done as this will improve my life. I will now be able to go back to my normal life, doing business operations so I can continue supporting my family.”

"I feel like giving up at times, but Mercy’s heavenly smile gives me the courage to face tomorrow," her mother shares. "I really hope she gets treated.” Mercy is a three-month-old girl who lives with her siblings and parents in a single-room house in Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says, “Mercy was born pre-maturely as her mother had high blood pressure.” “Mercy’s head is progressively increasing in size, making her very irritable, and she is at risk of having delayed development,” AMHF explains. Mercy has hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, increasing pressure and possibly damaging the brain. AMHF continues, “Unfortunately, Mercy’s father has been ailing for the last three months and hence cannot help in providing for the family needs, so Mercy’s mother has been doing some casual tasks to provide daily meals for her family.” Mercy’s mother is struggling with her own health due to the strain of trying to support her husband and children on her own. For $980, Mercy will have a shunt implanted that will drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid from her brain. “Mercy’s surgery will eliminate the pressure impacted on her brain and therefore improve the chances of her living a long, healthy, and quality life,” AMHF concludes.

Meet Mwanakombo, a six-year-old girl from Kenya. Mwanakombo lives with her parents and is “the firstborn child in a family of three children,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “Mwanakombo is now at a school-going age,” AMHF continues. However, Mwanakombo has been unable to pass stool on her own due to an anorectal malformation, and she “often misses school because of discomfort and irritation.” A congenital anorectal malformation is a condition whereby the anal region fails to properly develop in utero. Although cases vary and some patients are born with anal openings smaller than usual, AMHF reports, “Mwanakombo was born without an anal opening.” When she was just one month old, Mwanakombo received a colostomy to allow her to pass stool. However, this procedure is far from sustainable and puts Mwanakombo at risk of exposure to various infections as she continues to grow. In addition, “The colostomy makes it difficult for Mwanakombo to interact with other children freely,” explains AMHF. A two-stage complete anal malformation corrective surgery is required to allow Mwanakombo to pass stool independently. $1,260 will fund the entire procedure. First, she will receive an anorectoplasty to move her bowel to its correct position. Following that procedure, Mwanakombo will undergo a colostomy, which will enable her to pass stool without any assistance. In addition to freeing her from discomfort, this correction will give Mwanakombo independence and confidence. “The treatment will enable Mwanakombo to pass stool normally,” AMHF predicts. “She will be able to go back to school and interact freely with others.” Mwanakombo’s mother shares, “My wish is to see my daughter treated so that she can continue with her schooling. She loves going to school but is finding it difficult to adjust.”

“Doña Luisa is the mother 13 children. An active member in her community, she is a part of several groups dedicated to increasing development and growth opportunities for people in her community, and is known for helping others with a smile on her face.” This is how our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), introduces Luisa, a 50-year-old woman from Guatemala. WK shares, “Doña Luisa came to one of our women’s health courses to learn about the importance of the pap smear and cervical cancer detection and prevention. Cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in this country. However, access to the exam and results follow-up is not common, especially in rural indigenous communities.” Unfortunately, Luisa’s exam revealed lesions on her cervix. WK’s doctors want Luisa to receive a colposcopy to remove abnormal areas and identify the severity of cancerous or precancerous cells. WK continues, “This exam is expensive and requires her to travel to INCAN in Guatemala City. Without support, Doña Luisa will not receive the medical care she needs to diagnosis and potentially treat this lethal disease. If the biopsy reveals aggressive cancer that cannot be completely removed during the colposcopy, she will have our team to help her obtain the appropriate follow-up treatment.” With $210, we can fund Luisa’s trip to Guatemala City to undergo a colposcopy. This exam will decide if Luisa needs additional treatment (chemotherapy, radiation, etc.), and will also act as a treatment tool by removing all accessible abnormal regions. If all cancerous or precancerous areas are removed during the colposcopy Luisa will be able to return to her normal life. She will be able to spend time with her children and continue to support her family economically. “Doña Luisa is a rock in her community,” WK reports, “and so this exam will allow her to have the peace of mind she needs to continue working for the good of others. If she does indeed need further treatment, she will have the support of our team to help her through the process. Her family will not take on the large financial burden of struggling to afford her treatment.” Luisa shares, “I am worried about my results, but know that without your help I would have no way of removing it (the lesions). Thank you for what you have taught me, I am ready to find out what we can do to fix this.”

Oeun is an 83-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Oeun has hypermature cataracts in both of his eyes, making it hard for him to walk around alone, eat, and distinguish people’s faces.” Oeun feels guilty about his lack of independence because it forces him to constantly rely on his son to help him with everyday activities. CSC continues, “Oeun has six children and ten grandchildren. Before his vision got bad, he liked to read books.” With $225 in funding Oeun will receive surgery to remove the cloudy cataracts from his eyes, replacing his old lenses with artificial ones. Following surgery, his vision should be clear! Oeun tells CSC that after surgery, “He looks forward to going to the pagoda, visiting his kids in other provinces, and, most of all, eating without assistance.”

Sngeam is a 67-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Sngeam has seven children and fourteen grandchildren. In his free time, he likes to do house work and listen to the monks pray.” Unfortunately, CSC reports, “Sngeam has cataracts in both eyes, and he can't go anywhere alone. He cannot do his work at the farm and can't go to the pagoda by himself.” With $225 in funding Sngeam will receive surgery to remove his cataracts, replacing his original lenses with artificial ones. Following surgery Sngeam should have clear vision in both eyes, giving him the freedom to work and relax independently. CSC shares, “After his surgery is done, Sngeam hopes to be able to go back to the farm, plant veggies around his house and go to the pagoda by himself.”

Meet Anthony, a three-day-old baby boy from Kenya! He is the fifth child in his immediate family, and his parents are farmers. Anthony was born with spina bifida, meaning he has a cystic mass on his lower back. He needs surgery immediately, or risks getting an infection or developing conditions that could pose serious health risks later in life. Anthony’s parents don’t earn very much, and cannot afford the $805 needed for Anthony’s surgery to close the mass on his back. "It's been a struggle over the last three days for my family, and I hope that my son will find treatment. We don’t have resources, but I hope that we’ll get support," Anthony's mother says. Let’s fund Anthony's treatment and give this little baby a chance to grow into a healthy child!

"She loves to dress up! She hopes that once she has received surgery and she is older she will be able to wear high heels," says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Eight-year-old Yin is an adorable young girl from Burma. She developed normally until she began walking, when her parents noticed that she was not able to stand correctly. "If her mum wasn’t holding her hand she had no choice but to run forward because she could not balance on her toes," says BBP. Yin was diagnosed with club feet, which have caused a series of complications with her growth. She cannot play with friends or walk to school, which causes her to feel isolated and distressed. Her parents are also disheartened and hope that a surgery will help their daughter's physical and mental wellbeing. BBP is able to perform an external fixation for $1500, which would stabilize bone and soft tissue and help align her feet. Not only will this help her walk, but it will also boost her confidence -- and when she gets older, she can rock those high heels! Let's fund Yin's surgery and help her walk again.

50-year-old Daw Khin works as a shopkeeper in Burma while her husband works as a motorbike taxi driver. Daw Khin has three full-grown children and has taken in her 76 year old mother to provide care for her as she gets older. However, last month she began to experience abnormal bleeding and abdominal distention and was diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. "Initially the symptoms were tolerable, but they have progressed to the point she feels constantly full and unable to eat. She is only able to lay on her back and standing to her feet is an exhausting effort," explains Watsi medical partner Burma Border Projects. "Daw Khin describes the discomfort and pain like she has a very large heavy baby in her abdomen. Although she’s still able to look after the shop, and do her house chores, she gets tired very easily and is consumed with worry." $1,500 is all it takes to deliver treatment and restore her health, according to our medical partner. They also tell us she looks forward to returning to work and caring for her family. "I am very worried about the mass growing inside of me and I want to be able to continue working in the future," Daw Khin says. "If I am able to return to work after surgery, I want to donate the money to a monastery in respect to Buddha and as a way to pay back the donors who support me." Let’s help Daw Khin get healthy again!

Meet Nancy, a four-month-old girl from Tanzania! Nancy has a congenital deformity on her left foot, also known as a clubfoot. “If not treated, the condition will affect Nancy’s gait and she will likely develop osteoarthritis of the small bones at an early age,” reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Nancy is the first-born child to her parents and she likes to play with her toys. “Nancy also has congenital deformities of both hands and her right foot. She was born without all ten fingers and without toes on her right foot. Her mother is a medical attendant at a dispensary in their village and her father is a secondary school teacher. Their income is not enough to cover their house rent, daily expenses, and also pay the cost of treatment which Nancy needs,” continues AMHF. “Maybe there isn’t much that can be done for Nancy’s hands, but at least the position of her left foot can be corrected to allow her to walk properly when she grows up and that is all I wish for,” says Nancy’s mother. For $1160, we can correct Nancy’s gait and prevent onset osteoarthritis. AMHF concludes, “Nancy will not have to use the lateral aspect of her left foot when she starts to walk and the correction will reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis.”