Nearly three years ago, 17-year-old Naomi from Tanzania was in the company of family and friends when she had a seizure around an open fire. "As she was falling down, the person next to her tried to hold her back, but she was too heavy for her to lift her up so Naomi’s left hand went directly into the fire," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She was quickly taken out, but had already incurred severe burns, especially on her fingers." Even though the wound was treated, she developed contractures in her fingers, a condition of shortening and hardening of muscles, tendons, and other tissues, resulting in her no longer able to use her right hand. Naomi will need $550 to undergo single contracture release treatment that will aid her in having a more functional hand. “Naomi’s mother has a small business selling maize and beans in the market and her father is a guard at a privately owned company,” shares AMHF. The family has been unable to save enough money to cover the cost of the operation. Naomi is “happy, very active and determined when she wants to do something,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. She shares, “When I am able to go back to school, I would like to study and become a pediatrician.”

Camose is a four-year-old girl from Haiti who loves helping her mom around the house. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) tells us, “She is shy at first with people she doesn't know, but quickly makes friends and gives lots of hugs. She goes to preschool when she is healthy enough to attend.” Camose was born with a heart defect. HCA explains, “Camose was born with Tetralogy of Fallot, a very serious heart condition involving multiple holes and defects among the chambers of the heart. As a result, her body has been deprived of enough oxygen, she has been sickly, and she has been at constant risk of sudden death.” Fortunately, Camose has been selected to receive a $5,000 heart surgery paid for by Open Hearts Haiti. She’s counting on Watsi donors to raise another $1,500 to pay for her overseas travel and the related surgery preparations. “Following surgery, we hope that Camose's heart will be able to be fully healed, although there is a chance she may need a "two-stage repair" in which some defects would be fixed now, and the rest next year,” HCA says. “Once her treatment is fully finished, she will no longer be at risk of death from her cardiac condition and should be able to lead a normal life.” Camose's mom says, "We give thanks first to God, and then to everyone who is helping our daughter!"