Hok is a 21-year-old husband and father from Cambodia. Currently, he lives with chronic right ear pain, discharge, and hearing loss. Hok began having recurring ear infections when he was a child. This led to a perforated ear drum, and the same symptoms he still experiences today. His symptoms impact his ability to work at his factory job and enjoy one of his favorite activities: listening to the radio. He needs a myringoplasty - a procedure that involves repairing a hole in the tympanic membrane. Hok's mother, who was with him at his appointment, hopes for his quick recovery: "I hope my son's ear discharge will stop and he won't feel pain anymore. I wish this will bring him good hearing and health." For $399, Hok will be able to receive this treatment and improve his quality of life. He will receive treatment at Children's Surgical Centre where some of his other family members have been treated successfully in the past.

“Pai is a 45-year-old woman who has lived in a Burmese village all her life,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. “She lives with her husband and three-year-old granddaughter. She has three children - two daughters and one son, who all have their own families now. She and her husband are agricultural day laborers and work on a farm, planting and harvesting rice.” Pai has a uterine prolapse, a condition that occurs when the uterus sags or slips from it normal position and into the vagina. “She has been very worried about her condition and is always scared when she is waking that the prolapse will slip,” BBP explains. “She cannot work in her condition and is embarrassed and very worried about having surgery.” Pai’s journey to seek medical attention includes the first time she traveled away from home and the first time she ever saw a foreigner. $1,500 will fund her treatment, which “will result in Pai being able to return to her home in the jungle,” BBP continues. “She will return to her family and her work.” “My favorite thing to do is cook noodles and duck, pork of chicken curry and then sell it at local celebrations,” Pai shares. “I hope that in the future, I can cook and sell the food.”

Thaw is an 18-year-old student from Burma. Thaw is in the 11th grade and hopes to one day become a building engineer. His favorite pastime is playing football. "In November 2010, Thaw and his mother noticed signs that he was not healthy," shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). His symptoms, often exacerbated by playing football, included shortness of breath and tiredness on exertion. After being diagnosed with a heart condition by a local clinic, he and his mother traveled to a specialist who told Thaw that he would require cardiac surgery for his condition. BBP tells us, "Thaw is suffering from lethargy, back pain, abdominal and chest pain, and sometimes has difficulty breathing. Sometimes when he is unwell with fever, his lips and fingertips turn a little blue." Due to Thaw's condition, he is no longer able to go to school. Thaw lives in Burma with his mother, aunt, and grandfather. Their combined income is just enough to cover the cost of food. $1,500 will cover the cost of complex cardiac surgery for Thaw's congenital heart valve defects. Burma Children Medical Fund has contributed $13,525 towards his treatment cost. "I hope I can get help with my problems so I can continue my studies in the future," says Thaw.

Meet Justine, a 15-year-old boy who lives in Tanzania with his mother, father, and five siblings. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us, “Justine started feeling mild pain in his left knee when he was seven years old.” Justine has knocked knees, a condition in which his knees are angled towards each other. This condition is especially common in regions of northern Tanzania where an excess of naturally-occurring fluoride in the water causes curvature in the bones. By fifth grade, Justine was no longer able to walk the long distance to his school, and he had to drop out. AMHF explains, “While he was in school, Justine enjoyed science and history classes. He also liked to play soccer.” However, because of his difficulty walking, Justine can now only interact with his peers through cards and board games. With the school fees for their other five children, Justine’s parents--both small-scale farmers--are unable to pay the costs of the surgical repair Justine needs. They have taken Justine to various hospitals, but he has only ever received multivitamins and pain medication. For $940, Justine will receive surgery to correct his knocked knees, as well as two weeks of physical therapy. The procedure will realign his bones and joints, improving his ability to walk. Justine will be able to travel long distances like the one to school. Justine shares with us, “I have always admired my science teacher. When I am able to go back to school, I’ll study hard so that in the future I can become a teacher.”

Meet Aron, a 21-month-old baby boy from Guatemala who "loves to play with toy cars, run around his house, and hang out with the chickens in his front yard," our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), shares. Aron is malnourished, and has frequent bouts of diarrhea. He has struggled to gain weight since he was born. "Without intervention Aron’s immune system will continue to weaken and his growth will continue to decline, both of which are large threats to his future,” WK reports. His condition threatens his mental development and eventually his performance in school. WK explains that Aron's family is unable to afford the necessary treatment. “Aron’s mother feels that he is sick because of her. Her family cannot afford a lot of food, and her parents have given her very little guidance on how to raise children.” Aron's father works in the field, but doesn't generate sufficient income for his son's healthcare. For $535, Aron will receive treatment for his malnutrition, and his mother will enroll in a nutritional education program. "Aron will recoup the height and weight he has lost and will avoid the long term effects of malnutrition, instead developing the ability to concentrate and eventually succeed in school and the workforce,” WK details. “I will never forget that you want to help me,” expresses Aron’s mother.

This is Elia, an eight-year-old boy from Tanzania. Elia is a previous Watsi patient who first presented with a swelling in his left cheek. He was subsequently diagnosed with a giant cell tumor, and underwent curretage, marsupialization and reconstruction, followed by weekly intralesional injections for six weeks. The procedure was a success as the mass decreased in size. However, while it was expected that Elia’s face would have regressed and bone healed, Elia's swelling did not completely disappear. He needs another surgery to completely remove this mass so as to avoid a pathological fracture of his mandible. For $920, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can perform a mass excision surgery to help Elia heal properly. "We saw some good changes after the first surgery," his mother shares. "We hope that the second surgery will show even better results, leaving Elia with his normal face."

Meet Silvia, a one-year old girl from Guatemala. Silvia often plays with her older sister, and she has a single mother who weaves blouses and picks jacote fruit to sell at the market. Silvia is a patient with our medical partner Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), who explains that Silvia “has been suffering from acute malnutrition for several months now and has chronic diarrhea, cough, vomiting and a fever.” “Without intervention, Silvia’s health will continue to decline and she will be at high risk of death from malnutrition and dehydration,” continues WK. “If she survives her body will have limited ability to develop and grow normally. She is already far below the average height and weight for her age, and it is obvious that her immune system is incredibly weak.” For $535, we can fund a multifaceted treatment that includes educational support on nutrition for Silvia's mother, micronutrient and food supplementation for Silvia and medication for Silvia's immediate medical issues. Her mother will receive information on how to effectively spend the limited money she has to purchase the most nutrient dense food options for her children. “Over time we expect Silvia’s energy to improve and for her to experience a lower risk of chronic diseases (such as diabetes and hypertension), as well as lower risk of complicated pregnancy, both of which are highly associated with childhood malnutrition,” says WK. “Most importantly she will avoid dying because of lack of medical care affordability.” Silvia's mother shares, “I am so happy you found us, I have no idea what I would have done if you didn't find us.” Let's fund this treatment and get Silvia back on track!

Meet Mas, a 69-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Mas is married with five sons, seven daughters and thirty grandchildren. She likes to plant veggies around her house and do house work.” Mas has been diagnosed with cataracts in both of her eyes. A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes cloudy with age, often resulting in a loss of vision. According to CSC, “Mas has had these cataract for two years and cannot do any work on her own, or go anywhere without someone to walk with her.” For $225, we can fund Mas’ cataract removal surgery. Doctors will replace her cloudy lenses with artificial ones. CSC predicts that the surgery will repair Mas’ vision, allowing her to regain her independence and return to her interests. “After surgery Mas wants to go back to the farm, plant more veggies and not have to bother her family members to go places with her,” CSC shares.

Anne is a one-year-old girl from Haiti. Our medical partner, Project Medishare (PM), reports that “when Anne was born, her mother noticed that her baby’s head was too soft and she cried a lot,” so she brought Anne in for testing. CT scan results revealed that Anne has hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the brain, causing the head to enlarge. This can result in brain damage, and can be fatal if left untreated. Anne’s mother is young and still attending school. Anne and her mother live with her grandmother “who is old and unable to help her with the needs to raise Anne," adds PM. Anne's father is also young and is still in school. Anne’s treatment will cost $1,260, and consists of a hydrocephalus shunt placement to drain out the fluids that have accumulated in her head. This treatment will save Anne’s life, and give her the chance to grow and develop normally. Anne’s mother shares, “my wish is that the surgery happens successfully, I am looking forward to good results of the treatment that will prevent my baby’s head from getting much larger. I love Anne very much because she is my first baby, I will always love her.”

"Allan is a bubbly and likable three-year old boy," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "He has a twin brother and an elder sister who is twelve years old. They live with their parents in a three-room house in their paternal home. His mother is a shop attendant while his father is a casual worker on construction sites." Allan was born with hypospadias -- his urethral orifice is abnormally placed and he has an irregular stream. His family was advised to seek specialized care, but they cannot afford the $1,155 cost of treatment. Surgery will restore normal function, as well as lower Allan's risk of developing urinary tract infections, and infertility in the future. “I pray that God will not with hold His mercy from us. May his love be with our son through this," Allan's mother shares.

Margaret is a hard working, 49-year-old mother from Kenya. Margaret and her husband sustain their family by working casual jobs when they can find them, but it has been difficult. Margaret has also been living with multiple uterine fibroids, which cause her heavy bleeding and constant abdominal pain. “During the period I started experiencing this condition, I had been planning to start my small business to support my family," says Margaret. If left untreated, Margaret's fibroids will continue to grow and cause more bleeding, which could ultimately lead to anemia. For $790, Margaret can have a total abdominal hysterectomy that will relieve her pain, stop the bleeding, and allow Margaret to focus on taking care of her family. "I hope that Watsi will assist me so that I can receive treatment, get well and achieve my dream," Margaret says, filled with hope. Let's make it happen for her.

Meet Jennifer, an 11-year-old girl who lives in Tanzania with her parents and three siblings. She's in the fourth grade and enjoys learning English, Swahili, geography, and history in school. Jennifer's mother is a nurse and her father is a self-employed photographer. "Jennifer’s gait has been affected because of walking by using the lateral aspect of her right foot," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), writes. She has clubfoot in her right foot which makes it difficult to walk long distances without pain. While Jennifer's parents are very concerned about their daughter's current difficulty, they have been unable to come up with funding to provide her with the surgery and treatment, including medication, a cast, and a foot brace, which will be required in order to correct her foot. But by raising $1160, Watsi donors, we can help Jennifer pay for care. “When I grow up, I wish to become a nurse like my mother,” she says. Let's help her get there.