Zaw is an 11-year-old boy from Burma who has an abnormal growth in his nostrils. He lives with his parents and two younger brothers. Zaw has completed fourth grade, but he stopped attending fifth grade earlier this year due to his nasal condition. Both of Zaw's siblings are currently in school. When he was nine years old, Zaw's mother noticed that he had a nasal problem, but she could not see the abnormal growth inside his nostrils. His condition would worsen at night, when Zaw found it difficult to breathe. Finally, they visited a clinic, where Zaw's mother was informed that Zaw had nasal polyps in both of his nostrils. These polyps are benign growths that form on the lining of the nose or sinuses. Several months after his visit to the clinic, the nasal polyps became visible. Unfortunately, Zaw's family could not afford to pay for more treatment. Both of Zaw's parents work. His mother sells watermelon in town, and his father cuts bamboo and works as a day laborer on construction sites. Most months, the family income is not sufficient to cover basic costs. Zaw's mother borrowed money from a neighbor to make the trip to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), where the office of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is based. After a CT scan, our medical partner's doctors scheduled Zaw for surgery. Currently, Zaw’s condition is poor. He cannot breathe well, and he often feels fatigued and dizzy. Zaw is scheduled to undergo sinus surgery on February 19. Burma Children Medical Fund is requesting $1,500 for the procedure. Zaw's mother hopes that her son will recover quickly so that he can go back to his studies. “I want him to be a medical doctor because he often dreams of being one," she says. “If I am fully recovered, I will go back to school,” Zaw adds.

Mohamed is a one-week-old baby from Kenya. Mohamed's mother tends to the house while Mohamed's father takes up work on farms whenever he can. Mohamed was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth, which is a condition that prevents her spinal cord from developing properly. Because of her condition, Mohamed is currently at risk of infection, malformation of the spinal cord, loss of muscular function in her lower limbs, and trauma. Immediate surgery was recommended in order to give Mohamed the best chance at evading these negative effects. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is seeking $1,097 to fund the spina bifida closure surgery that Mohamed needs. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 19 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Mohamed to continue along a healthy developmental trajectory. Mohamed's mother says, “It was the most unexpected news we ever thought we could receive but we have peace now that there is treatment."

Reaksa is six years old. She has two sisters and two brothers. In her spare time, she likes to stay at home and play cooking games. About a year ago, Reaksa developed fibrosis in the quadriceps muscle of her right leg. The scarring and thickening of the connective tissue surrounding her quadriceps muscle makes it difficult for Reaksa to walk, and she is in pain. With her mother, Reaksa traveled for four hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for treatment. On February 22, surgeons at CSC will perform a quadriceplasty procedure to release the fibrous adhesions and improve mobility. The $425 surgery will help Reaksa walk easily again.

Ceasar is a wife and mother of two children. Her husband works as a driver. Her family lives in a house owned by their church minister. For five years, Ceasar has been experiencing irregular menstruation, headaches, body weakness, and leg cramps. These symptoms prevent her from working. She never sought treatment because she could not afford it. Fortunately, Ceasar is a member of one of our medical partner's sponsored communities. She underwent an ultrasound and was diagnosed with adenomyosis, an overgrowth of endometrial tissue in the uterus. On February 20, Ceasar will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Our medical partner is requesting $187 to fund her treatment. The surgery will alleviate her symptoms and improve her quality of life. "I am overjoyed for the help you have extended on my condition. I am looking forward to the day after the treatment that I will no longer experience heavy bleeding, and I will be healed. I am excited to be fully recovered and help my husband in sustaining the needs of our children and for their brighter future," she says.

Meet Aye Nay from Burma. He is 65 years old and is a father of five children. Aye Nay works as a rice farmer, but he also farms nuts and durian fruit. He lives with his wife and his daughter's young family. Aye Nay is having difficulty breathing. Three years ago, he noticed a mass in his nostril. This mass has grown considerably in the last three months, to the point where Aye Nay can no longer breathe through his right nostril. Aye Nay went to a local clinic, but he was unable to be treated. He then visited a care center associated with our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF). Following several diagnostic tests, doctors have diagnosed Aye Nay with a nasal polyp. They want him to undergo a CT scan. A CT scan will enable doctors to pinpoint the size and location of the nasal polyp. BCMF has arranged for Aye Nay to have his CT scan on March 13. Due to his limited income, Aye Nay cannot afford to pay, so BCMF is asking for donations to cover the $414 CT scan. Aye Nay shares, "I want to be able to get well and look after my family."

Moreen is a 14-year-old expectant mother from rural Uganda. Moreen is married to Justus, and they are expecting their first child. Moreen and her husband are small farmers who grow cassava and beans. Her husband also picks tea. In her free time, Moreen likes to jump rope with children in the community and listen to music over the radio. Because she is young, Moreen’s doctors consider her pregnancy to be high-risk. They recommend that she receive medical attention before, during, and after labor to ensure a safe delivery. On January 30, she will begin to receive supplements and attend antenatal checkups and health education classes. She will deliver her baby in the hospital, and she will undergo a C-section if necessary. After birth, Moreen and her baby will be monitored by the hospital staff. Moreen has subsidized her payment by $8. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting an additional $241 to fund her care. The requested $241 pays for antenatal visits, lab tests, medication, and three nights of hospital stay. Moreen hopes to nurse her baby and send the baby to school. Moreen’s mother-in-law says, “I thank the people that are supporting and donating."

Kunthea is a 35-year-old construction worker from Cambodia. He is married and has two daughters. He likes to play soccer, watch TV, and go fishing in his free time. When he was 10 years old, Kunthea developed an ear infection in his left ear, and the infection spread to his right ear. He developed chronic otitis media when both of his eardrums perforated. Kunthea has tried to use ear drops from a pharmacy, but his symptoms have not improved. He experiences ear discharge and hearing loss. It is difficult for him to work, and his wife is worried about him. Kunthea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Care (CSC), from a relative. He traveled with his wife to reach CSC and get treatment. ENT surgeons at CSC will perform a myringoplasty procedure in his left ear on January 19. CSC is requesting $399 for the procedure that will repair Kunthea's eardrum and improve his hearing.

35-year-old Ketty is a local farmer from Uganda. She's a single mother of two boys, which both attend a local primary school in their village. For the past two years, she has had lower abdominal pains that have been incurable by local herbalists, and says that the pain has only continued to increase. During her free time, Ketty enjoys singing to her family, praying, and being with other women in the community. Ketty used to be on her village leadership committee as the secretary of defense, but could not continue serving her community because of the pain she was experiencing and the role requiring someone very mobile. For $321, Ketty can receive care to treat her abdominal uterine and vaginal bleeding. Ketty says she's looking forward to getting treatment and recovering fully, after which she will resume her activities in the village. She hopes that in the future she can be able to raise capital from her digging to start a small business.

Yeferson was born just a few weeks ago. Since then, however, his mother has been unable to produce enough breastmilk. As a result, Yeferson is losing weight and not growing. When he is hungry, his mother gives him warm water in a bottle. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Yeferson's health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. Brain development is compromised, and Yeferson is at risk of long-term damage. Fortunately, he began treatment on November 22. Yeferson lives with his parents, two sisters, and brother in rural Guatemala. The family owns their own home, but their resources are limited. Yeferson’s father works in agriculture, which means his income is inconsistent. He needs help to fund this $1,107 treatment. Yeferson's treatment will be simple and effective. He will receive formula, which will give him the protein, calories, and nutrients he needs to grow and develop. His mother will receive in-home nutrition education, so she will learn low-cost ways to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Yeferson's immune system will strengthen, and he will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. "I don't want him to get sick," says Yeferson's mother. "I want to see him grow healthy and happy. I appreciate the help you will give my son, and when he is grown, I would like him to be a professor to give classes in the school."

30-year-old Henery works as a mason and constructs houses in Uganda. It is hard work and has enabled him to support his four children and pay their school fees. Henery and his wife live in a small village. His wife grows food for them family on their small plot of land. When he has leisure time, Henery enjoys listening to the news on the radio with his wife and watching village soccer matches. Henery has had growths on his back for seven years, but they weren’t causing him much pain so he kept working and took pain killers from his local health center. However, recently they have grown and have become much more painful. Henery was afraid they would prevent him from working and supporting his family. Doctors have examined them and recommended surgical removal. Henery's income is not enough to cover this surgery. $196 will cover the costs of the surgery and care Henery needs to remove his masses. Henery shared, “I would like to give thanks to all the donors for supporting me and helping me get better.”

22 year-old Sharif lives with his extended family in a village about 50km from the hospital. When he is feeling well, he contributes to the family income by working as a motorcycle mechanic, but his painful hernia has made working difficult. He has had a hernia for about three years and his pain makes it difficult to have the strength he needs to release and tighten the nuts and bolts on motorcycles. At first, the pain would come and go, and he thought it might be a boil. He tried different treatments in the village, but nothing helped. Surgery will repair the weak area in his abdominal muscles through which tissue is bulging, resolving his discomfort. “After I have surgery, I will be able to do the work I have difficulty doing now and be able to help support my family, which is important to me” says Sharif. He is also looking forward to being able to play on the village soccer team again, which he enjoys doing when he is not working. Sharif adds, "Thank you very much for helping me get back to work. May God bless you.”

Chantrea is a 15-year-old girl and 8th grade student. Chantrea has two brothers and enjoys reading books and watching movies on TV. A few months ago, Chantrea fell from a tree and badly fractured her left elbow. She has been in pain since and cannot bend her left elbow or use her arm properly. She traveled four hours with her mother to reach Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) for treatment. Surgeons at CSC will perform an operation to reset her bones and heal the fracture, with the help of $405. This procedure will allow Chantrea to use her arm again, free from pain, so she can regain her independence and mobility at school. Chantrea shared: "When I am healed I will go home and continue my studies."