Myint is a 29-year-old who lives with his parents and older sister in Burma. He moves around different villages with the Back Pack Health Worker Team (BPHWT). In early 2015, he began to feel pain in his back and noticed that his urine was cloudy. Once or twice a month, he would feel numbness and hotness in his lower abdomen. He visited a doctor and received an X-ray test and a ultrasound test. He was diagnosed with a kidney stone. The doctor gave him oral medication, which made him feel temporarily better. In July 2017, Myint's symptoms returned, and he visited our medical partner's care center. He underwent different tests, which showed that there were stones between his urethra and kidney. Now, he is scheduled to undergo a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy to treat the stones on January 17. He needs help raising $1,500 to fund this procedure. He says, “If BCMF can find the donor for me to support my surgery, I will have no worries about the treatment cost. I feel less stressed and much happier now. My family will also not be worried or stressed.”

Faith is a farmer from Kenya. She is a mother of two. Faith and her husband farm maize and beans to sustain their family. A month ago, Faith was walking by the river when she slid and fell down, causing a fracture to her right ankle. The fracture was never treated but healed on its own, resulting in a malunion. This has made it difficult for her to walk and work on her farm. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On December 15, Faith will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will allow Faith's ankle to heal well and she will be able to walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $771 to fund this procedure. “I cannot do any work at home, even preparing food for my children is a problem. I really need help," says Faith.

Elly is a five-year-old playful boy from Nairobi, Kenya. His father is a carpenter, and his mother stays home to care for Elly and his siblings. Elly was born prematurely and has severe congenital hearing loss. In 2014, he had auditory brainstem response (ABR) tests to gauge his hearing ability. Later in 2015, he received one hearing aid. Elly's audiologist noted improvement in his hearing and recommended another hearing aid to boost his ability. However, Elly's parents can't afford the cost. On July 13, Elly will receive hearing aids from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, which is requesting $929 to fund the treatment. Elly’s father says, “My joy is to see Elly being able to talk and hear like a normal child."

Emmanuel is an eleven-year-old boy from Tanzania. He is the second-to-youngest, with three older siblings and one younger sibling. Emmanuel’s father is a plumber and his mother sells vegetables from her garden. He enjoys studying Swahili, English, and science when he is able to attend school. One of Emanuel's favorite things to do is play football with his friends. When Emmanuel began third grade, he developed an abscess on his left hip. His parents thought it was a boil and so they emptied it. The wound healed well, but Emmanuel soon began experiencing pain in his left leg. Within a short time, he was unable to walk to school and his entire leg began to swell. An operation to drain excess fluid left him unable to move his ankle and produced two openings on his foot that continuously drain pus. His parents brought him to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with severe, chronic osteomyelitis—a serious bone infection—which unfortunately cannot be treated with a simple operation and antibiotics. In order to save the rest of his leg, Emmanuel's foot will need to be amputated. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,035 to fund Emmanuel's operation. He is scheduled for surgery on October 20 at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. After treatment, Emmanuel will be able to heal and eventually regain use of his leg with a foot prosthetic. He will be able to return to playing football on foot instead of in a wheelchair and will be able to walk to school with ease. "I would like to become a pastor like my uncle when I grow up," Emmanuel says.

Thi is a 29-year-old woman who lives with her family in a village in Ayeyarwady Division, Burma. She is a housewife, and her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver. Their son is a student in sixth grade. Their family income is enough to cover their family’s basic needs, but they are unable to save any money. For the last 15 years, Thi has periodically experienced fatigue, shortness of breath, and chest pain. She has been diagnosed with heart disease, and her condition requires surgery. On September 12, Thi will undergo a double valve replacement heart procedure. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 for her treatment. “After I get better from surgery, I will be work as much as I can to increase my family income and I will pay back my debt," says Thi.

Ruth is a 14-year-old girl living in Haiti with her mother, grandmother, and sister. She enjoys going to school and church, and would like to study to become a nurse when she's older. Several years ago, Ruth contracted rheumatic fever, which caused damage to her heart. She developed a condition called mitral and aortic regurgitation, where blood backs up into her heart and does not properly circulate through her body. This condition causes Ruth to experience shortness of breath, painful breathing, fatigue, and swelling of the legs. If left untreated, her condition could be fatal. Seeking treatment through our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, Ruth is scheduled to undergo heart surgery to correct her condition on July 10. Although Ruth's [transportation](https://watsi.org/profile/7b224fb3153e-ruth) to our medical partner's care center has already been funded by Watsi, she is still in need of $1,500 to cover the cost of her heart surgery prep. The organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is also subsidizing Ruth's surgery, donating $22,000 to cover the rest of her medical bills. "I am a little scared for my surgery, but I know that God will protect me and make everything go well," Ruth says.

Nancy is a newborn baby from Guatemala. She lives with her parents and brother in the country's rural highlands. Her father works as a laborer in the local countryside, and her mother weaves traditional Mayan textiles to help support the family. Nancy was born with a cleft lip, making it very difficult for her to breastfeed. Her limited diet does not provide her with sufficient nutrients, and she may soon begin to experience dehydration as well. Nutrition is incredibly important in the early stages of life, and Nancy has been given a preliminary supply of formula to boost her intake. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to cover the cost of nutritional counseling, food, and formula for Nancy and her mother. She is scheduled to begin treatment on May 15 at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Tecpán. With proper nutrition, Nancy will be able to grow healthy and strong.

Kid is a nine-year-old boy living in Burma who has a left clubfoot. Kid was born at home with the help of a traditional birth assistant. He has had a clubfoot since birth, but his parents were unable to find treatment for him. In 2016, one of the teachers from the local boarding school visited his village and noticed Kid’s clubfoot. Being familiar with the work of our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), he advised Kid's parents to be seen at BCMF for further evaluation. Clubfoot is a congenital foot abnormality in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. As a result, the tendons in the limbs are shorter than usual, and further complications of limited movement and stability may occur. When treated early enough, clubfoot can be corrected with physical therapy, but after a threshold of development, orthopedic surgery is necessary. Kid's surgeon would like to have an additional CT scan to evaluate his treatment plan for Kid's clubfoot. The imaging must be done at the nearest hospital, but Kid's family is unable to afford the travel. The total cost of the imaging and travel is $469, and Kid's appointment is on March 30. Following his CT scan, Kid's surgeons will be able to continue planning for surgical intervention for his clubfoot. Kid says, "I want to be able to walk better."

Cho is a two-year-old girl who lives with her parents and older sister in Burma. Since birth, Cho has had a mass protruding from her back. Eventually, she was diagnosed with spina bifida, a birth defect that prevents a baby's spinal cord from developing properly. To avoid future complications, Cho will receive treatment at our medical partner's hospital, Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, on March 30. The procedure will cost $1,500. Surgeons will operate to correct the spinal malformation. Cho's mother says, "I want my daughter to grow up well and go to school in the future."

Haswell is an energetic 72-year-old farmer from a village located in the Central Region of Malawi. In his 72 years, Haswell and his wife have been blessed with six children and thirteen grandchildren. He spends much of his day working on building projects. In his down time, his favorite thing to do is talk with his wife, who he affectionately refers to as "my one beloved." Three weeks ago, Haswell started experiencing urinary dysfunction. These troubling symptoms brought Haswell to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, where he was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate. If left untreated, this condition can lead to urinary retention, bladder infections or stones, or kidney damage. Physicians have recommended a minimally invasive procedure known as a prostate resection, in which part of the prostate will be removed. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, has requested $726 to fund Haswell's procedure, scheduled for February 2. Haswell is looking forward to his surgery, saying, "I am happy to have surgery. I will have peace of mind".

Niraj is a five-year-old boy who lives with his family in Nepal. Niraj's father works in India as a security guard for part of the year, and his mother works on the family's farm. Several days ago, Niraj developed an abscess on his left elbow, which is causing him extreme pain. The abscess continues to swell and is restricting Niraj's movement. Niraj's family brought him to our medical partner's care center, Bayalpata Hospital, to receive treatment. The family had to travel by foot because there are no roads from their village, so their journey lasted two days. On February 12, Niraj is scheduled to undergo a medical procedure that will drain the abscess on his elbow. Our medical partner, Possible, is requesting $157 to fund this treatment.

Meas is a 67-year-old housewife with three sons, two daughters, and nine grandchildren. She likes to go to church and to watch comedy programs and Khmer dramas on TV. Two years ago, Meas developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, tearing, irritation and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Meas learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for one hour seeking treatment. On December 26, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Meas will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope I can see more clearly," says Meas, "so that I can easily do any work, go anywhere by myself, and recognize the faces of everyone."