14-month-old Abel "lives with his mother and great grandmother. He feeds well, loves playing and recognizes his name well," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "His mother dropped out of school two years ago when she got pregnant and is still under the care of her aged grandmother." Abel was born without an anal opening. "He is not able to pass stool normally," AMHF shares. "Abel is susceptible to infections and blockage." "Abel’s great grandmother does subsistence farming while his mother runs a vegetable business, and hopes to sell enough every day to provide for her son," AMHF continues. "Her business however is not very stable, and often incurs loses because her products are perishable. Abel’s father who is a student, is not able to support them and is not willing to be associated with them. Abel's mother hopes to go back to school once her son is treated." $1,260 will fund the 2-stage surgery Abel needs to allow him to pass stool normally again. Surgery will prevent infection and blockage, and allow him to have a fully functional anal opening. "I hope I can get help for Abel's treatment, and get back to school once he’s well," his mother shares.

“I want to fight for my little one. I want him to be healthy and strong like his siblings,” says the mother of Luciano, a three-year-old boy from Guatemala who loves looking at picture books and playing make-believe with his sister. Luciano came to our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), with developmental delays. “Luciano was born normal and healthy but over time began to have regular seizures and fevers,” explains WK. “Luciano also suffers from malnutrition. He is hospitalized every 15 to 30 days, and his mother is running out of money to afford his medical care.” The financial impact of Luciano’s care has made it difficult for his mother to buy food for the family and school supplies for his five siblings. Her time away from work to accompany Luciano to the hospital also decreases the amount of money available to support the family. $1,385 will fund a thorough diagnostic work-up, treatment, and ongoing therapy for Luciano. “This treatment will allow Luciano to receive medical visits, the correct anti-seizure medication and physical/speech therapy,” says WK. “This will improve his quality of life, ability to communicate, and potential for success. His health will improve, and he will not have to go to the hospital regularly.” Let’s help make that happen for Luciano!

“When I got married at the beginning of last month, I was really ready to work and start up my own family,” says Joseph, a 42-year old man from Kenya. The newlywed and his wife recently had a baby, and were settling into their life together when Joseph had an unfortunate accident that left his right leg severely fractured. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, “Joseph accidentally fell while descending from a public service vehicle.” While falling, his “right leg got stuck, twisted, and sustained a femur fracture.” Joseph has previously undergone an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to surgically realign the fractured bone using metal plates and rods. However, following his surgery “he put a lot of pressure on the plates before he was fully healed,” AMHF explains. As a result, they tell us, “last week Joseph developed severe pain and could not use the leg.” After realizing he was unable to use the leg, Joseph returned to the hospital. Following a thorough examination, it was found that the plates from the previous ORIF were broken. To correct this issue, the ORIF must be repeated. AMHF tells us, “Joseph used to work as a masonry doing casual jobs wherever jobs were available.” While his leg continues to heal, however, Joseph is unable to work, and his family is unable to pay for another surgery. With $1,125, Joseph will receive a follow-up ORIF to realign his fractured femur. Steel plates will be reinserted in order to properly structure his bone regrowth. Joseph will stay in hospital for a two-week period, during which time he will receive several x-rays to ensure his safe recovery. Following surgery, Joseph’s leg will heal fully, allowing him to get back to work. Joseph shares, “this accident has devastated my efforts and I am feeling very helpless with this new diagnosis. I hope Watsi can help me so that I can get well and start earning for my new family.”

Meet Sadayo, a toddler from Kenya. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Sadayo has hypospadias: a condition in which “his urethral opening is lower on the head of the shaft of his penis and he [therefore] cannot pass urine normally.” This not only causes pain when Sadayo tries to urinate, but “Sadayo is [also] likely to experience urinary tract infections. He might also suffer impotence if not treated,” shares AMHF. “Sadayo and his mother live in a small shelter lent to them by a well-wisher because they were living on the streets," AMHF continues. "Sadayo's father is mentally challenged and still lives in the streets.” “Sadayo's mother works as a casual laborer; washing people’s clothes and doing any farming tasks to help her support herself and her son” – inconsistent work that fails to provide enough income for Sadayo’s mother to afford the surgery her son needs. Sadayo and his mother were brought to AMHF by a concerned neighbor who saw the baby’s situation and knew that AMHF would be able to help. With $655 in funding, Sadayo will receive the surgery he needs to reconstruct the urinary channel in the proper position, thus correcting the hypospadias. The doctors share, “If treated, Sadayo will be less likely to suffer urinary tract infections and impotence. He will be able to pass urine normally.” In the words of Sadayo’s kindhearted neighbor, “I really feel for this baby, I wish I had better ways of helping him. I have been praying that God may open ways for him to get treatment, and I have no doubts that He has heard my prayers.”

“I am interested in two things; being a teacher or a doctor,” Patrick tells us. Patrick is eight years old, and lives with his family of four in Tanzania. He is in second grade and his favorite subject is mathematics. Patrick lives with bilateral clubfoot -- he uses the lateral aspects of his feet to walk. This has impacted both his physical health and self-confidence. "He remembers how other children used to laugh at him, but now he says it is not so much and he feels more comfortable going to school now than before," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He is eager to have straight feet because no one will laugh at him anymore." Patrick's parents are farmers who grow primarily maize and beans. They cannot afford the $1,160 cost of treatment for Patrick's clubfoot. Treatment will involve a three-to-four month process of manipulation, casting, and re-positioning of the feet. After the treatment is complete, Patrick will have full mobility and a normal gait. He will no longer be at risk of other complications, such as the development of early osteoarthritis. With your help, we can allow Patrick to attend school with confidence, and study to become a teacher or doctor.

“I have been very nervous about this surgery ever since I learned I would have it,” shares 12-year-old Cedric. “I am glad it will be done soon so I can stop worrying!” Cedric was born with a heart condition called atrial septal defect. He has a hole between the upper two chambers of his heart. “Blood passes through this hole and back to the body without first obtaining oxygen," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This leaves him constantly short of breath and unable to exert himself. If untreated, this condition could become fatal.” "Cedric lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and twin five-year-old brothers," continues HCA. "He is a survivor of the 2010 earthquake, and was in a building that partially collapsed but he exited safely. He likes playing video games, and enjoys soccer when he has the energy to play." For $1,500, we can help Cedric travel overseas to a hospital with cardiac specialists who can perform surgery to repair the hole in his heart. Following the closure of the hole between his atria, Cedric’s heart should engage in normal blood flow. He will have full relief from his symptoms.

"When I recover from surgery I want to find a better job so I can provide my boys with everything they need to pursue and education and build good lives for themselves," said Nam Myint, a 45-year-old mother from Lan Ga village in Burma. Burma Border Projects (BBP), our medical partner in the area, shares more about Nam Myint’s dedication to supporting her family, “Her highest education was 4th grade of elementary school and was unable to continue her education due to the need to help her family farming. She was married at 32 years old, and gave birth to her twin sons in a hospital in Hpa-An by caesarean section. Nam Myint was divorced about 7 years ago and has been working in Bangkok as a caregiver. Because she’s away from home for work, she asked her older sister to take care of her two sons. Nam Myint works very hard and sends all of her money home to her boys and sister.” Unfortunately, Nam Myint left her job recently because of abnormal abdominal bleeding—a symptom of a uterine mass, or myoma, that requires surgical removal. Nam Myint first experienced this bleeding a year ago, but the symptom has returned this February with a longer duration. BBP explains the effects of Nam Myint’s condition on her quality of life, “She had her second episode of abnormal vaginal bleeding which lasted for 10 days. She was very worried that it could be a bad sign of her getting worse regarding the mass in her uterus, so she decided to quit her job, and came back to the village seeking for help. Her biggest concern now is her disease. Although she could still work and do daily activities, she couldn't help thinking about what would happen to her with the continuously growing mass if she doesn't have surgery.” For $1,500, we can fund a surgery to remove Nam Myint’s myoma. BBP anticipates a positive medical outcome and significant impact on Nam Myint’s family and quality of life. BBP expects, “This surgery will allow Nam Myint to return to work and provide for her twin boys financially. She will also no longer have bleeding that's embarrassing and prevents her from working. She will no longer live in fear of the myoma and the damage it may be causing.” Let’s help Nam get well!

Meet Hussein, a four-year-old boy from Somalia. Edna Adan Hospital (EAD), our medical partner in Somaliland, shares that, “Hussein sustained severe burns to both of his arms when he fell onto burning charcoal, which is used in traditional household kitchens on the floor for cooking. He now has decreased use of both arms due to burn contractures.” For $1165, we can fund a procedure to release the contractures on Hussein’s right side--a procedure that has already been completed on his left side. “Hussein’s mother is hopeful that he will have restored mobility in his wrist and hands and be able to continue his life as normally as possible.” Let’s help Hussein get back on track!

“One day I would like to become a medical doctor,” says 17-year-old Mzee. Mzee, who lives in Tanzania with his mother, father, and six older siblings, has genu valgus in his right leg, a condition in which his knee angles in and knocks his other leg. “Mzee completed primary education and was chosen to continue with secondary education, but unfortunately he had to stop going to school when he was in form due to lack of funds,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “While in school, Mzee enjoyed playing soccer with his fellow students, and he also liked learning Swahili and science subjects.” “Mzee experiences pain in his right knee after walking or running for a while,” AMHF continues. “His leg becomes stiff, and it’s hard to start walking again after resting for some time. If not treated, Mzee will most likely develop early osteoarthritis of the knee.” $940 will cover the cost of treatment to realign Mzee’s knee, which will improve his gait and reduce his risk for osteoarthritis.

“We love all of our children," Joseph's mother says, "and we especially wish that the position of Joseph’s foot can be corrected so that when he starts to walk he will be able to walk properly, and as he continues to grow he won’t have any mobility restrictions." Joseph is six months old and was born with a condition called clubfoot, that will prevent him from walking normally if it's not surgically treated now. "He will be bound to walk by using the lateral aspect of his right foot when he starts to walk," his doctors explain, "due to the congenital deformity of his foot. If not treated, he will most likely develop osteoarthritis of the foot at a young age." Joseph's parents are small scale farmers, they mostly grow maize (or corn). They own a small piece of land, but it doesn't yield enough to support the family on its own, so Joseph's father also works at a slaughterhouse. Joseph’s mother also sells fresh vegetables at an open market near their house. "They both work very hard so that their children can go to school and live a better life in the future," Joseph's medical team writes, "but Joseph’s parents need financial support so that their son can get the treatment which he badly needs." Let's fund Joseph's care and make this possible for them!

Miraa is a one-year-old boy living with his parents and two older siblings in Tanzania. His father tends to a few cattle and works as a shop keeper, while his mother takes care of the family at home. Our partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tell us, “Miraa is a quiet and very shy boy. He likes being close to his mother. In the afternoon when the sun is shining and his mother is relaxing in the sun with the other mothers, he likes to sit a short distance from his mother playing with other children.” Miraa was born with unilateral club foot. Club foot is a congenital condition in which the foot appears to have been rotated inward at the ankle. AMHF explains, “His left foot deformity will affect his gait if not treated, and Miraa will also have an increased risk of developing early osteoarthritis of the small bones.” “Miraa is my only son and I want him to be able to herd his father’s cattle when he grows up and be like other boys; walk and run properly,” Miraa’s mother tell us. For $1,160 we can fund the treatment to correct Miraa's club foot so he can walk normally for the rest of his life. Let's do it!