Kasangaki is a 51-year-old farmer from Uganda. He is married and has seven children. He and his wife both eat and sell the food that they grow on their farm. In 2015, Kasangaki began to notice a swelling on the right side of his lower abdomen. He was then referred to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a right inguinal hernia. If not treated, the hernia may obstruct blood flow to the intestines, potentially causing severe tissue damage. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to cover the cost of Kasangaki's hernia repair surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 28 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Kasangaki to live more comfortably again. “After surgery I will have peace of mind and resume farming," says Kasangaki.

Srey Mach is 17 years old and in the 11th grade. She has two sisters and three brothers. She likes to cook, watch Thai movies on TV, and read schoolbooks. In September 2014, Srey Mach was in a motor vehicle accident that resulted in a fracture to her left femur. Surgeons in her province fixated Ender nails to heal her fracture. More than a year later, surgeons removed only the lower nails. Srey Mach first came to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), in February 2016. Surgeons removed the Ender nail and performed an open reduction internal fixation procedure to fixate a K-nail to hold bone fragments at the fracture site together. Srey Mach has returned to CSC because she experiences discomfort when she walks. Fortunately, on February 7, surgeons at CSC will remove the K-nail from her left femur. CSC is requesting $411 to fund the procedure. After the surgery, Srey Mach will feel comfortable again.

Saidati is a 16-year-old woman from Uganda. She and her husband, Humarn, are expecting their first child. Saidati lives with her in-laws, who operate a small restaurant. She works as a waitress. During her free time, Saidati enjoys watching netball games, swimming in the river, and weaving mats and baskets. Saidati visited our medical partner’s hospital, Bwindi Community Hospital. Because she is young, her doctors consider her pregnancy to be high-risk. They recommend that she receive medical attention before, during, and after labor to ensure a safe delivery. On April 15, she will begin to receive supplements and attend antenatal checkups and health education classes. She will deliver her baby in the hospital, and she will undergo a C-section if necessary. After birth, Saidati and her baby will be monitored by the hospital staff. Though Saidati and her husband are paying $7 for her treatment, they need help to pay her remaining medical bill. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $241 to fund antenatal visits, lab tests, medication, and three nights of hospital stay. Saidati thanks donors for supporting her treatment and prays to God to bless them in all they do.

Meet Mugizi, a 27-year-old father who lives with his wife and two children in Uganda. Two years ago, Mugizi began to have painful swellings in his abdominal area. He went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with bilateral inguinal hernias, protrusions of intestinal tissue through the abdominal wall. He was advised to undergo surgery. Without treatment, Mugizi was at risk of developing a strangulated hernia, which happens when the protruding tissue loses blood circulation. This can lead to further health complications and even death. Fortunately, Mugizi underwent a hernia repair surgery on November 30. During surgery, doctors surgically repositioned the protruded intestinal tissue and repaired the tear in his abdominal wall. After a few weeks of recovery, Mugizi will be able to return home free of pain. Mugizi and his wife work as farmers. They need help to raise $249 for his surgery. After recovery, Mugizi plans to work hard to take care of his family.

Richard is an 18-year-old young man living in Uganda. He is a student who enjoys reading newspapers and listening to music. His best subjects are mathematics, agriculture, and economics. He also enjoys playing soccer and volleyball. Last month, Richard sustained a fracture in his right fibula and tibia. He was in pain, and he was unable to move his leg. He received first aid from his school. Then, his friends carried him on a stretcher to our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. Richard's physician recommended he undergo a non-surgical intervention to immobilize his right leg with casting or splinting. He began treatment on November 15. The total cost of the treatment includes medications, imaging, and three days of inpatient care. Richard has contributed four dollars toward his treatment, but he needs help to pay his remaining $133 medical bill. During recovery, his right leg will will regain normal functionality, and his pain will cease. Richard looks forward to playing soccer and continuing with his studies. “I pray for God’s protection to the people donating toward my treatment," shares Richard.

Hong is seven years old and in the first grade. He has one older brother and one older sister. He likes to play soccer and play with toy cars. Hong has uveitis, inflammation of the middle layer of his eyes. One year ago, he also developed a cataract in his right eye, which causes him cloudiness and partial blindness. He has difficulty seeing things clearly. When Hong's mother learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), the family traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On December 12, eye surgeons at CSC performed a cataract extraction procedure and an intraocular lens implant to allow Hong to see clearly again. CSC is requesting $153 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my son can see clearly again," says Hong's mother, "so that he can study, play with his friends, and go anywhere like any normal kid."

Meet Niño, a two-year-old boy from the Philippines who loves to play basketball. Niño lives with his parents and three siblings in a small hut made of palm trees and wood planks. His father works as a construction worker. Niño is very thin for a two-year old boy. Niño has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. He began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 20. He is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening.

Jerome is a 20-month-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his family in his grandparents' house. His father works as a farmer, but he has difficulty providing for his family. As a result, Jerome is shorter and lighter than other children his age. Jerome has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. He began $268 malnutrition treatment on October 21. He is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. "We hope he will become healthy and strong," say Jerome's parents.

Umesh is an eighteen-year-old from Nepal who lives with his parents and siblings. His father runs a shop in the village and he supports his father in his work. His mother is responsible for grazing the cattle and looking after their farm. It was a dark night when Umesh was walking down a flight of stairs. Suddenly, he tripped and fell on the ground, fracturing his left hand. He has been in so much pain since then, and had to take medication to control the pain. He has difficulty moving the injured hand and there is some swelling too. Umesh's family hired a jeep and took five hours to visit Bayalpata hospital, where Umesh will be fitted with a cast. After treatment, Umesh will have to do physiotherapy exercises to regain mobility of his hand. "I would be happy if I get relieved from pain," shares Umesh.