Nwet (BB) is a 23-day-old boy from Burma. He lives with his family in a village in Karen State. When he was born, the nurses noticed a protrusion on the back of his skull, a neurological condition called encephalocele. The protrusion is very sensitive. Nwet (BB) was born with encephalocele, a type of neural type defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of nervous tissue through openings in the skull. Both incomplete bone fusion in the skull and incomplete closure of the neural tube contribute to this condition. If left untreated, the lump will continue to grow, heightening the risks of developmental delays and permanent neurological impairment. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to help cover the cost of corrective cranial surgery for Nwet (BB), which is scheduled to take place on January 15. Surgeons will remove the protrusion and correct the skull defect, hopefully eliminating the risk of future neurological complications and allowing Nwet (BB) to develop along a healthy trajectory. Nwet Yee, his mother says, "I am worry for my son but I cannot do anything for him. I hope that the surgery will make him well and become a normal person like other children."

Benelson is a student from Haiti. He lives in a rural area in the mountains of central Haiti with his parents and a large extended family. He is in the eighth grade in school, and enjoys helping his family take care of their animals at home. Benelson has a cardiac condition called severe valvar pulmonic stenosis. One of the four valves in his heart is too small, preventing enough blood from flowing through it and leading to heart failure. Benelson will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On December 12, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter with a balloon at the end into his heart, and inflate the balloon to stretch the valve open. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $14,000 to pay for surgery. Benelson's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Benelson's family overseas. He says, "I am glad I can have this surgery so I won't be as tired all the time!"

Mohamed is a three-year-old boy Tanzania. He loves giving hugs to people and is often laughing and playing around. He loves to learn and is always sounding out words, counting, and finding out how things work. Mohamed has genu varus, commonly called "knock-knees." This is a condition in which the knees angle in and touch each other when the legs are straightened. For this reason, Mohamed finds it difficult to walk. He makes his best effort to get around, but he tires quickly and ends up sitting most of the day. Mohamed needs treatment. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery, scheduled for August 18. If not treated, Mohamed will continue to experience pain and tiredness when walking or running. This will prevent him from playing and attending school. However, with this surgery, the hope is that he will be able to walk, run, and play with his friends. “Mohammed is a bright young boy with the world at his fingertips. My hope is that he will have it within his grasp when he receives his surgery,” says Mohamed’s caretaker.

Ten years ago, Rose was born in Kenya. However, at about two or three years of age, her parents noticed an abnormal growth bulging from Rose’s back. They initially thought the condition would normalize, but as years went by, the condition continued to progress. They sought help from different hospitals but could not get treatment for her due to high costs. Rose has been diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis—a spinal curvature in the upper/middle backbone. The condition has caused Rose hardships in attending school due to pains in her neck, back, knees, and legs. On September 6, Rose will undergo spine fusion surgery to increase movement and eliminate pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), requests $1,500 to help fund Rose's treatment. AMHF expects that after full surgery and recovery, pain and further curvature of the back will cease, and Rose's height will also improve. The surgery will also help raise her self-esteem and will enhance her education. Rose says, "I am eagerly waiting when this condition will leave me so I can concentrate on my studies. I am very determined to study and would like to be a doctor in the future."

Meet Gideon, a two-week old baby boy from Kenya. Gideon has been diagnosed with spina bifida, a medical condition where there is an incomplete formation of the spine, leaving the spinal cord exposed. Left untreated, Gideon is at risk of developing an infection or tethered spinal cord syndrome. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, has scheduled Gideon for spina bifida closure surgery on September 13. The total cost of Gideon's medical bill is $1,097. Gideon’s mother says, "I want to see my child grow up healthy and without any health-related problems."

Kenson is a 12-year-old boy who lives in the mountains of central Haiti with a large extended family. His family works together to farm crops and raise animals. He enjoys going to school and listening to soccer games on the radio. Kenson was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. Oxygen-rich blood from the aorta mixes with oxygen-poor blood from the pulmonary artery, placing strain on Kenson's heart and leaving him short of breath. He was also born with an aortic valve that is too narrow, further complicating his heart's ability to pump blood to his body. Have a Heart Cayman is subsidizing Kenson's heart surgery, however Kenson 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 cost of Kenson's transportation to the site of surgery, cardiac examinations, and medications. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 11 and, once completed, will greatly improve Kenson's quality of life. "I am excited for my heart to be fixed so I can do more things without getting tired," shares Kenson.

Nen is a 37-year-old rice farmer who lives with her husband and daughter in Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to watch the music channel and comedy shows on TV and chat with her neighbors. About ten years ago, Nen developed a pterygium in each eye, causing her to experience blurred vision, irritation, tearing, and itching. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, work on her farm, or walk anywhere on her own. A pterygium is a wing-shaped growth of tissue that appears as a membrane on the surface of the eye. The growth extends from the inner or outer corner of the eye toward the center and is typically noticed when it begins to cover the iris, the colored portion of the eye surrounding the pupil. Common symptoms include burning, itching, and blurry vision, as Nen is experiencing. Nen learned about Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor who had undergone surgery there. Nen and her sister traveled three hours to reach CSC for evaluation and treatment. On April 25, eye surgeons at CSC will remove the pterygia from Nen's eyes to enable her to see clearly again. However, Nen needs help raising the $148 needed to pay for the surgery, three nights in the hospital, food for herself and her sister, eye drops and ointments, and medicine to reduce pain and prevent infection. Let's help make that happen!

Pendo is a five-month-old girl from Tanzania. She is the firstborn child in her family. Pendo and her mother live with her mother's father and brother while Pendo's father is away working. Pendo was born with spina bifida, a dangerous malformation of the spinal cord. She is also now beginning to develop hydrocephalus, a buildup of cranial fluid surrounding the brain. Her head is 30% larger than it should be. “Please help my daughter get better,” says Pendo’s mother. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,369 to fund Pendo's operations. She is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 15 at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. After treatment, Pendo will be able grow and develop normally.

Rhean is a two-year-old girl living in a small house made of natural materials. Her family cannot afford electricity and must fetch their water from the spring. Her father, a farm laborer, cannot support the family on his salary. Rhean has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens her growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, she will begin $268 malnutrition treatment on February 20. Rhean will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Her mother hopes that she will recover from being malnourished.

Jacques is a one-year-old baby boy who lives with his parents in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. His mother is a homemaker, and his father works for a package shipping company. According to his parents, Jacques is a very happy and curious baby. Jacques was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, a complex set of defects that severely limits his heart's ability to pump blood to his lungs. This causes blood to flow back into his heart. To determine if Jacques's condition is operable, he must undergo a cardiac CT scan, a procedure that is not available in Haiti. Therefore, on February 8, Jacques will travel to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic to receive the scan at our medical partner's care center, Hospital General Plaza de la Salud. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $985 to cover the costs of Jacques's travel expenses, CT scan procedure, and lab work. "My husband and I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping us with our son's heart problem," says Jacques's mother. "We are glad for everyone's friendship and kindness."

Meet Leap, a 20-year-old Cambodian man. He has a lot of siblings (four sisters and two brothers) and loves listening to pop songs, playing soccer, and watching boxing movies on TV. Leap is a construction worker. In February of this year, Leap was cutting a tree with a saw and accidentally cut his right hand. Leap went to a clinic in Phnom Penh, where doctors sutured his wound. Unfortunately, Leap has now developed infections in the index and middle fingers of his right hand. The fingers are swollen, and some of the bone is exposed, causing him pain and making it difficult for him to use the hand. To correct these issues, Leap needs to undergo an osteotomy and fusion to shorten his index finger. He also needs to receive an open reduction internal fixation procedure on his middle finger, meaning that doctors will surgically straighten the finger and fix it in place with a screw, rod, or other stabilizing object. For $411, we can fund these crucial surgeries, as well as the lab tests, physical therapy, and fourteen-day hospital stay Leap will need. Let’s help this young man return to work!

Irene is a 12-year-old girl from Tanzania and a member of a big family of eight. Her father works long days and nights as a security guard to help provide for his family. Irene’s mother stays at home to take care of her six children. Irene currently goes to a nearby government school and enjoys learning. At birth, Irene was diagnosed with a palatal tumor, a growth on the roof of her mouth. Throughout her life, it has continued to swell. Since the tumor is near to her front teeth, it is slowly pushing Irene’s teeth out of place. This makes it difficult for her to eat. Without treatment, the mass could continue to grow and impact her breathing as well. Because their family is so large and only has a small income, Irene’s parents need financial help for Irene’s treatment. Irene is scheduled to undergo a mass excision procedure on February 2. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is looking for $920 to pay for the surgery and hospital stay while Irene recovers. After the surgery, Irene will be able to eat normally. and her quality of her life will improve greatly. Her mother says, “I hope that after surgery that she will have no lasting damage and be able to live life happily.”