"I am scared about what could happen,” shares Maria. “But I am glad I have support." 36-year-old Maria lives in a rural region of Guatemala, and delights in caring for her seven children. Maria is currently expecting another baby. “For three months Maria has not had regular menstruation, and 15 days ago she started to have hemorrhaging,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Our medical team suspects she has an ectopic pregnancy based on the results of some preliminary lab tests.” In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg remains in a woman’s fallopian tube instead of moving to the uterus to develop as it should. This means the fertilized egg will not survive, and that the mother is at serious risk for internal damage: for instance, the fallopian tube can rupture, causing dangerous bleeding. “Ectopic pregnancies are fatal to the mother if not treated,” explains WK. Fortunately, treatment is available for Maria. A surgical technique known as laparoscopy can be used to examine Maria’s pelvic organs through a small incision in her abdomen. Doctors will then use a small camera to locate and remove the fertilized egg from her fallopian tube. This operation costs more than Maria and her husband, a day laborer, can afford—especially with seven children to support. But we can help. $977 will fund the surgery that Maria needs, as well as the lab tests and medication that will ensure she remains healthy after the operation. “This procedure will save Maria’s life,” says WK, “allowing her to be with her husband and seven children, and have a long and healthy life.”

Ratha is a 33-year-old car driver from Cambodia who lives with his wife and two children. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home helping his wife with housework and looking after the children. "Ratha fell down from a bicycle in 2000 and experienced right hip trauma," reports our medical partner Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). This dislocated his hip, and since then it has not properly healed. At first Ratha tried to self-medicate. "He received pain killer injections at home," CSC tells us. These types of at-home steroid pain killers are very common in rural Cambodia, where they do not require a prescription and adequate medical care is often inaccessible. Unfortunately, his condition has not improved. "In the past couple years Ratha's right hip pain has been getting worse," says CSC, "it is very painful for him to walk." Doctors recently diagnosed Ratha with dysplasia of the right hip. This is an abnormal growth of cells, and he needs a hip replacement to remove the cell growth and fix his recurring hip dislocation and pain. For $430, doctors will remove the damaged parts of Ratha's right hip, and replace them with artificial prosthetic pieces. He will also receive a few weeks of physiotherapy to ensure that he fully recovers, so then he will be able to return home to his family. "I hope I can walk properly again after surgery," Ratha shares. "When I am healed I will return home and continue to work again."

Meet Patrick, a 42-year-old father and the caretaker of the health center of our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Patrick is the sole provider of his family in Kenya, and cares for five children with two in secondary school. In order to raise money for public transportation to AMHF’s centre, Patrick began selling tress. “However, a tree fell on him, injuring his head and arm,” explains AMHF. The accident fractured his radial and ulna. Now, he cannot feel his right arm and is at risk of infection if he does not receive medical treatment soon. $1410 in funding will allow Patrick to receive diagnostic x-rays, physical therapy, a resetting cast for his hand, and recovery time at the centre. “Treatment will eliminate pain and numbness in Patrick’s hand," AMHF shares. "Possibility of further infections will be limited. Once recovered, Patrick will be able to use his hand and work again.” Let support Patrick in getting the care he needs to get well and support his family.

An, from Cambodia, is 61 years old. Four moths ago, he developed a cataract in each eye. Cataracts are a result of excess proteins forming on the lens of the eye, making it cloudy. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us: “An can’t see everything clearly, go outside on his own, or do his work well.” His cataracts have caused him blurred vision, itchiness, tearing, and he is now afraid of sunshine. An is married with three sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren. He enjoys visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray and joining in ceremonies. He also likes cleaning the land around his home. “An has traveled 12 hours to CSC with his wife for his treatment,” shares CSC. He is hoping to get surgery to treat the cataracts and enable him to see clearly and be able to help his family more easily. To treat his cataracts, doctors will perform a short operation to make an incision in the eye and replace the clouded lenses with new, artificial implants. The implants will allow An to see clearly again after one or two days of healing. $225 will cover the cost of the surgery, medicine, and hospital fees.

Meet Sok, a 53-year old man from Cambodia who lives with his wife and three children. “Sok has cataracts in both eyes that make it very hard for him to watch TV, do work on the farm, see the faces of his family, and to go anywhere by himself,” explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Sok chooses not to ask anyone for help, so he is not as productive on the farm and moves very slowly.” For just $225, Sok will receive surgery to remove his cataracts and restore his vision. The surgery on the left eye will take place first, followed by the surgery on his right eye 1-2 weeks later. “After surgery, Sok looks forward to doing better work on the farm, watching boxing again, and going anywhere without worrying about his safety,” concludes CSC.

“Pedro discovered he was diabetic three years ago, but could not afford doctor visits or medication,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Now, his diabetes has worsened, and at just 42 years old he has limited ability to walk and has extremely low energy.” Before he started experiencing the symptoms of his disease, Pedro was an active member of a musical group in Guatemala and a dedicated husband. According to WK, at 15 years of age, “Pedro fell in love with music” and joined his band as an electrical guitarist—playing in churches around town, and eventually, at the capitol building. He and his wife live in a small house and Pedro works as a farm hand during the week, though he used to spend his weekends performing with his band. Due to the toll the diabetes has taken on Pedro’s health, it is becoming increasingly difficult for him to work. This puts a financial strain on his family and he struggles to support them. If his diabetes continues to go untreated, Pedro is at risk of developing further complications such as “kidney failure, blindness, nerve damage, and heart and blood disease,” reports WK. For a healthy recovery that will allow him to return to work and support his family, Pedro needs $450 for treatment. This funding will ensure that Pedro receives the necessary medication and education to manage his diabetes. Laboratory studies will be performed to test Pedro’s glucose levels and track his progress, while a diabetes educator and case manager will guide Pedro to a healthier future. “This treatment will prevent Pedro from suffering from the devastating effects of untreated diabetes,” explains WK. “It will allow Pedro the energy to work and support his family, as well as attend church and play music with his band. He will gain the skills and education to manage his diabetes long term, and his quality of life will improve.” “I want to get better,” expresses Pedro. “I am dedicated. I want to be the person I was before, to visit different places, and to play guitar with my friends in our Christian band.”

Meet Julia, a dedicated mother of three. Julia is 36 years old and lives with her family in Guatemala. She has been enrolled in a diabetes treatment program with our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), for the past five years. Recently, WK found out that Julia is pregnant with her fourth child. Julia’s diabetes could cause major complications with her pregnancy. Without the appropriate treatment and monitoring, high glucose in the mother’s blood “can increase the risk of birth defects, jaundice, microsomia, or miscarriage,” explains WK. Julia herself is also at risk of future medical complications: kidney and eye damage, as well as a potentially lethal condition of high blood pressure called preeclampsia—one that can lead to swelling, headache, seizures and disruption of blood flow in the placenta. According to WK, “Julia is the main breadwinner in her family” as she sells tortillas from her house to support her children. She wakes up at 5 AM to gather wood behind her house to prepare a fire for making the tortillas. With the financial strain of supporting her three young children and maintaining the household, Julia is unable to afford the medical care she and her new baby will need to ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. “With Watsi donor support our team will assist Julia in multiple ways,” explains WK. “She will receive extra attention from our nursing staff to ensure her glucose levels stay at a normal level. Our staff will work with her to prepare for a hospital birth, and up until the due date she will receive regular ultrasounds and prenatal check ups.” Blood work and transportation to the hospital will also be covered, ensuring that Julia and her baby have the appropriate health care for the whole birthing process. For $310, Julia and her new baby will have the care and attention they need for a safe pregnancy and delivery. With a healthy delivery and the care she needs to successfully manage her diabetes, Julia will be able support her young children as they grow up!

Meet Harka, a 35-year-old man from Nepal. Harka lives with his father, his wife, and his three children. He always tries his best to bring food to his family's dining table through farming and daily labor jobs. “Harka has a pain in his right leg,” our medical partner, Possible, tells us. “There is a swelling in his scrotum which makes it very uncomfortable to work." Harka has an inguinal hernia, and has soft tissues bulging through a weak point around his abdomen. He has difficulty with daily chores such as changing clothes, sleeping, walking, and sitting down to eat. “He has been suffering from this illness for the last six years, and because of financial difficulties, he has not been able to receive treatment,” Possible tells us. “The financial condition of his family is very delicate,” Harka’s nephew explains. “The family relies heavily on Harka’s labor job because they are not able to produce enough from their small piece of land." For $491, we can provide a hernia repair for Harka so he will be able to walk, sit, sleep, and perform other daily chores without any pain and discomfort. He will also be able to add extra work hours to help support his family.

"I am very grateful for your support. I really hope to see again!" says Kaipoyo, a 59-year-old mother from Kenya. "Kaipoyo is married to a husband who has four wives. She is the fourth wife. Kaipoyo has 10 children, only one of her children is still in school," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She works as a casual laborer: working in people’s farms carrying out activities like weeding and tending for vegetables in the farms." Kaipoyo has cataracts in both her eyes, which has limited her vision for a year. Her family associates this condition with growing old, so Kaipoyo has not been to a hospital for treatment and cannot rely on herself or her family. However, if surgery is not done, her condition could get worse and may lead to permanent blindness. For $230, AMHF will be able to provide Kaipoyo with cataract removal surgery. With this treatment, it is expected that Kaipoyo will be able to see again as well as work and support her family.

“My life was derailed by the accident,” Jeremiah shares. "I now depend fully on my parents and my family. I want to get well soon so that I can go back to working hard because I have not given up on my dreams.” This is Jeremiah, a 26-year-old man from Kenya. He lives with his parents and three younger siblings. Since high school, Jeremiah has worked odd jobs to save money in hopes of one day opening a business or buying a taxi. His plans were halted in 2012 when he was hit by a car and had to use all of his savings to cover hospital bills for his injuries. However, Jeremiah is still not completely healed and his right tibia remains broken. He needs a final bone grafting and ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) procedure to repair his leg. “His parents have sold a big part of their farm to help pay for his hospital bills that have been as a result of more than five admissions for Jeremiah,” our partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) reports. “They are no longer in a position to pay for the next treatment that Jeremiah needs. Jeremiah now needs bone grafting and an ORIF." “If the surgery is not done soon,” AMHF continues, “Jeremiah is likely to develop infection and this could lead to amputation.” For $1,410 we can make sure Jeremiah receives the procedures he needs to finally recover from his accident, allowing him to get his life back on track.

Zar Zar is a shy 14-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, 17-year-old brother, and two younger brothers. Her mother says that Zar Zar is a good student and she studies hard. Zar Zar is in the 9th grade and is looking forward to completing her studies. Her parents and older brother work as rice farmers, but this is typically not enough income to cover their expenses. Zar Zar has been diagnosed with encephalocele, a neural tube defect that causes a mass to grow. “When she was born her parents noticed a small lump on the bridge of her nose,” Zar Zar’s doctor at Burma Border Projects (BBP) tells us. “At that time the bump did not cause her any physical discomfort and she was otherwise a healthy, active baby. Her encephalocele now takes up the bridge of her nose and completely obstructs the vision in her left eye. Although it causes her considerable discomfort, she has learned to make do as well as she can. Only having vision in one eye has not stopped her from going to school, nor has the stigma attached to her condition.” “In the future, she said that she would like to be a teacher,” BBP adds. “At the moment, teaching is like a hobby for her, and she helps her younger siblings and her peers with their school work, she added that she enjoys explaining things and helping people learn. In addition, in her free time, she likes running and staying healthy.” Zar Zar’s family cannot afford the surgery needed to remove the growth from Zar Zar’s face, but with $1,500 we can make sure she receives the treatment. “After treatment she will concentrate on her education and hopes to help her family,” BBP explains. "Treatment will improve her confidence and make her more outgoing. Zar Zar’s treatment will also benefit the family as they will no longer have to worry about paying for expensive surgery and can look to the future with happiness."

“My wife and child depend on me,” explains John. “I want to get well soon so that I can work again and provide for them. I thank God for the people that saved my life and have been helping my family through this difficult time.” John is a 26-year-old married husband and father who lives in Kenya, in a small wooden house he built himself. He works as a casual farmer to provide for his family, and often takes a motorbike taxi to and from work sites. Several months ago, a man ambushed John’s taxi, chased John and assaulted him. Hearing John’s screams, several people came to his rescue and saved his life, though his leg was badly damaged. “John is not able to walk without support and is in severe pain,” report our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “He has not been able to work since early February due to the injury. If surgery is not done, John is likely to suffer severe infection which could lead to amputation of his leg.” For $660, we can fund open reduction and internal fixation surgery to repair John’s broken leg. After surgery, John will be able to walk again and return to work.