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."

Shelda is a nine-year-old student who lives with her parents, grandparents, and older brother in northern Haiti. She enjoys going to school, playing with her friends, and singing in church. Shelda suffers from cardiac conditions known as mitral and aortic regurgitation, which she developed due to a rheumatic fever that she contracted several years ago. As a result, blood backs up into her heart and does not properly circulate through her body, leaving Shelda weak, short of breath, and at risk of fatal heart failure. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Shelda's air transportation to the Cayman Islands, where she is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 5. Once there, she will receive the care that she needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. "I am excited for the day when Shelda can do everything she wants without getting tired and needing to rest," says Shelda’s mother.

Anna is a five-year-old girl from Tanzania. Living on a small farm with her mother, father, and four older siblings, Anna likes playing with her sisters and brothers and looks forward to going to school. In 2015, Anna received Watsi funding for corrective knee [surgery](https://watsi.org/profile/f4d34ffef45a-anna) through our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. Her condition, diagnosed as bilateral genu valgus, better known as knocked-knees, returned shortly after her previous operation. Seeing this, Anna’s and her parents returned to our medical partner and their care center to seek further treatment. "We hope that when Anna is healed she will be able to attend school," Anna's mother says. Anna is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 13. Our medical partner is requesting $940 to cover the cost of care. After surgery, Anna looks forward to walking normally and without pain, as well attending school with her siblings.

Jonica is a 10-month-old girl from the Philippines living with her parents and two siblings in a small house made of nipa and bamboo. Her family shares electricity with the neighbors and gets water from a deep well. Jonica's father works as a pineapple planter and struggles to provide enough food for the family. As a result, Jonica is moderately acutely malnourished and has a tiny body and a slightly bloated belly. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. Without proper treatment, Jonica risked delayed development and potential long-term physical and cognitive impairments. Fortunately, on October 17, 2016, Jonica began receiving treatment from Watsi's medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM's $184 home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to help malnourished children regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. In addition, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to check up on the child's progress. To help sustain the child's health, ICM staff also educate family members about proper nutrition, organic vegetable gardening, sanitation, and hygiene. With this treatment regimen and educational component, Jonica will be able to recover from her condition. "I hope that Jonica will recover from malnutrition so that she will grow to become healthy and strong," says Jonica's mother. "I want her to be a teacher someday." Let's help Jonica achieve these goals!