Joseph is a four-year-old boy and the only child in his family. He loves riding a bicycle and is currently in a preparatory class. His father is a driver while his mother is a nursery school teacher. Their family owns a two-roomed house for shelter. For the past two years, Joseph has had a hernia. The hernia has been on and off and his mother thought it would resolve on its own. However, recently, Joseph began having more pain. Upon review at Rushoroza Hospital, doctors have recommended surgery, but his parents are not able raise the funds needed for surgery. Fortunately, on March 18th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $170 to fund Joseph's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Joseph's mother says, “My son is no longer active in class and no longer enjoys riding his bicycle like he used to before. I pray that he may once again live a normal life through surgery and be able to continue with education comfortably.”

Feven is a beautiful 7-month-old baby girl from Ethiopia. She has two older brothers and five sisters. She loves to play with her mom. Her dad is a farmer and he works hard, but his income is not enough to maintain the family so his brother often helps. All their children are in school and Feven's mom sometimes is able to sell items at the market. Feven was born with a birth defect called anorectal malformation. She developed bowel obstruction because of her condition and had an emergency colostomy surgery. Her parents shared that they are highly affected psychologically and are sad and worried about their baby. Feven now needs a follow up surgery to help her eliminate bowel dysfunction. She is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct her condition on March 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. After her recovery, Feven will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing related health complications in the future. Her mom shared, “We were so worried. But thank God he gave us this opportunity.”

Mary is a middle aged woman from Kenya. She used to work as a house helper until November of last year when her employer passed away. Since then, she has been living with her sister in the pro-poor estate of the capital. Together with her three children and those of her sister, the family is reliant on daily wage from odd jobs to meet their needs. Mary has been diagnosed with breast cancer. Without treatment, the cancer may spread to other organs. A mastectomy, a surgery to remove breast tissue, has been suggested to rid her body of breast cancer and to prevent the cancer from metastasizing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $816 to cover the cost of a mastectomy for Mary. The procedure is scheduled to take place on April 8th. After treatment, Mary will hopefully return to a cancer-free life. Mary says, “I wish for treatment. I am in severe pain and the swell keeps on increasing.”

John is a 3 year old child from Kenya. The family of two children lives in a single-rental house in Mlolongo-Nairobi. His mother sells omena (small silvery sardine-like fish that affords the same nutritious advantages) while his father is employed casually as a welder. He earns an average income of $2 a day. John was born with Hypospadias and Anorectal Malformation (he could not pass stool on his own). By September 2017, he had gone through the three stages of the anal rectal malformation correction surgeries and he made a full recovery. This was made possible through funding by Watsi supporters. Around August 2018, John had the first stage hypospadias repair and this was funded by the national health insurance fund. A second stage hypospadias repair is now required, but his family does not have the means for paying. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, John is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 27th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $700 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “It is embarrassing to seek help from the same people. Please find a way to help us once again,” says John’s mother.

Elijah is a child from Kenya. Elijah’s father is employed casually as a tile technician, while his mother is a stay-at-home mom. Elijah is the firstborn of two children. Since one year ago, Elijah has had a hydrocele. Elijah has been complaining of abdominal pain. Fortunately, on February 14th, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $423 to fund Elijah's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I will appreciate if you help aid my son’s treatment,” says Elijah’s father.

Now two years old, Podolsky was born with a heart condition called atrioventricular septal defect, in which a large hole exists in the middle of the four chambers of his heart. This condition allows blood to mix between all four chambers without obtaining oxygen. Podolsky's cardiac condition leaves him sick, short of breath, and malnourished. Podolsky lives with his mother on a small island off of the west coast of Haiti. He likes playing with stuffed animals and toys and listening to music. His family is seeking $1,500 to support costs for preparation and transportation for Podolsky to access heart surgery. Another organization, Chain of Hope UK, is helping to cover the cost of surgery. His mother shared, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that my son can become healthy and strong, and will stop becoming sick so often."