"I sometimes wish I could melt into her and understanding the feeling that she has. Diana is but too young...maybe it's complicated to understand...but all I want is her free from any pain," shares the mother of Diana—a six-year-old girl living with spina bifida. "Diana has a mass swelling on her lower backbone area," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains. "She is not able to walk and is at risk of infection, progressive delayed milestone and continued inability to walk." Already, Diana's peers have outpaced her developmentally, as it's easy to "mistake Diana for a three-year-old due to her size." Diana's mother, a nursery school teacher who lost her husband in early 2014, is not able to raise the funds required for Diana's spina bifida operation. Diana was also born with an excess amount of cerebrospinal fluid in her brain—a condition known as hydrocephalus which required insertion of a shunt to drain the fluid. Her parents were able to afford this treatment, but could not continue with the repair of Diana's spinal lesion. For $805, Diana will receive this spina bifida closure operation. The surgery "will help reduce the risk of infections, and possibly help Diana regain her walking ability," AMHF reports. Diana's mother proudly tells AMHF how Diana can count numbers perfectly well even having never gone to school. Let's help this young girl get back on track with her physical and mental development so she can soon attend school for the first time.

Meet Seang, a 14-year-old girl from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Seang is a student in grade three and she has two brothers and one sister.” Since Seang was five months old, she has had chronic otitis media -- an infection of the inner ear. This infection has caused perforation of both her eardrums, and she cannot hear well. CSC shares: “Seang feels unhappy because she cannot communicate with other children at school.” Although Seang received treatment at a local health center, her condition did not improve. With $598, Seang will receive a myringoplasty to close her eardrum perforation and drain excess fluid in her ear. “After treatment, pain and discharge from her ear will decrease,” says CSC. With time, Seang’s hearing should improve as well. Her sister shares, “I worry about my youngest sister so much. It is hard for her to talk with other children at school.” Seang hopes that after the operation, she will be able to hear and communicate better.

30-year-old Vorn is a husband and father who works as a farmer in Cambodia. He enjoys watching Khmer boxing on television and listening to traditional Khmer songs. “Vorn fractured his ankle four months ago when he was hit by a car,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Center (CSC), tells us. “It has been difficult for Vorn to walk since the accident.” Because of his injury, Vorn has been unable to work to support his wife and two sons. Treatment for Vorn is a surgical procedure known as open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to reposition and set the broken bones in his ankle so that they can heal properly. $405 will fund the surgery, a two-week hospital stay, five days of post-operative care (including physiotherapy), and six follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. After surgery, “Vorn will be able to go back to work without pain,” says CSC. “He will regain the ability to walk and support his family.” Vorn looks forward to walking properly again and returning to work on the farm. Let’s help make that happen!

Lovepatience is only a few weeks old, and is the first born child to her young parents who live in Kenya. Lovepatience was born with spina bifida, and has a leaking mass on her lower back. If untreated, her condition could lead to severe infection or other conditions that would compromise the muscle function and mobility of her lower limbs. Lovepatience’ father tells our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “we have come from far with the hope that Lovepatience will be treated.” This young girl’s father works as a night guard at a construction site and his wages are not enough to cover the costs of her care. For $805, Lovepatience will undergo surgery to remove and close the leaking mass at the base of her spine. This urgent operation will eliminate her risk of infection and restore her blood supply to her spinal nerves. This treatment will also greatly reduce her risk of developing a curved spine or other conditions that would hinder her mobility.

“I’d do anything to help my baby recover," shares Esvin's mother. Esvin is a little boy who was born less than one month ago in Guatemala. He lives with his parents and two older siblings. Esvin's family brought him to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, where he was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. His mother has been unable to produce milk (a condition known as lactation failure), and his parents do not make enough money from fieldwork and weaving to purchase infant formula for him. “Esvin is losing weight, and at the moment barely weighs a pound more than he did when he was born,” explains WK. “Without intervention, Esvin will continue to lose weight and will be at risk of infection, illness, permanent physical and mental damage, and death,” WK shares. For $1220, Esvin will receive 12 months of infant formula. In addition, Esvin’s mother will learn to properly measure and mix the formula and how to introduce solid foods into Esvin’s diet. Esvin will be weighed frequently to ensure adequate growth. WK explains that with formula, “Esvin will immediately start to gain weight and increase in height. His brain and body will recoup the development they previously lost, and his immune system will strengthen. He will avoid the long-term affects of malnutrition and have the chance to grow and thrive like a normal healthy baby should.”

"Besita is a healthy and charming baby girl," her mother tells us. "I treasure her so much and would be very happy if she responds to the treatment." Besita is a newborn baby girl from Malawi. She was born with hydrocephalus -- a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in her brain. "Besita’s head is very big, [she has] delayed milestones in that she is not able to see properly and has feeding problems," shares our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). "She is finding life irritable and always crying." Hydrocephalus is treatable with a shunt placement in the head to drain the fluid. Besita's parents, however, are unable to afford the $992 procedure. "The family is poor and has problems feeding the children they have," WAM adds. "They depend on selling vegetables and cannot contribute any amount of money for surgery." Fortunately, we can help. Because Besita can be treated quickly after birth, WAM tells us she has a much higher likelihood of hitting all of her developmental milestones, and growing up without complication from the hydrocephalus. The pressure in her head will normalize, and she will be able to see clearly and feel more comfortable. Let's help make it happen!

This little guy is Ian, a four-day-old baby from Kenya. "Ian is the last-born in a family of five children. He lives with his parents and siblings in a single-room mud house in Kenya," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Ian's father is a trained teacher but has not been able to secure employment, while his mother is a housewife." Ian was born with spina bifida -- an open mass swelling on his lower back. He needs a spina bifida closure procedure to ensure the condition does not progress. "If Ian is not treated soon he is likely to develop severe infection or tethered cord syndrome that can lead to development of either scoliosis and or kyphosis. He is also at risk of losing muscle function on his lower limbs," adds AMHF. $805 will fund the spina bifida closure that Ian needs to get healthy. "Getting employment has been very difficult. I am saddened that I am not able to cater for my son's treatment," shares Ian's father. "Thank you for your support."

Meet Nasra! She is just under two-years-old, and lives in Tanzania with her father. She likes to play with Lego blocks and with other children. Nasra was born with bilateral clubfoot, which means that her foot is twisted and her sole cannot be placed flat on the ground. She started getting treatment for this condition when she was only one week old, but serious family complications disrupted her treatment altogether. Nasra’s father is raising her by himself. He lost his wife when Nasra was just a baby, and spent his life savings on his wife’s medical treatments. He tells us: “My daughter is all I have now. I long to see her able to step on both of her feet properly without limping. I plan to take her to school in a few years to come, and having the ability to walk properly will help her not only walk faster but also keep up with other children.” Nasra needs medical attention, or she runs the risk of developing osteoarthritis at a very young age. For $1160, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, can treat Nasra's clubfoot. After surgery, she is expected to walk normally and make a full recovery. Let's help make it happen!

"I am hoping that Watsi will help me so that I can be well again," Jacinta tells us. "This way, I could meet my dream of starting a green grocery to supplement my husband's income.” Jacinta is a 50-year-old mother of four from Kenya. Her husband is a public vehicle driver, but does not have a stable income. For years, Jacinta has dreamed of opening a grocery store to supplement her husband's income and support her family. But for the past two years, Jacinta has been unable to pursue this dream. She was diagnosed with uterine fibroids -- benign tumors in the lining of her uterus. "Jacinta has been experiencing lower abdominal pain, heavy bleeding and body weakness," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "If not treated, Jacinta will continue to bleed and the body weakness will get worse. She is also likely to suffer from anaemia due to the heavy bleeding." “I have struggled a lot with this condition and it is by God’s grace that I have been directed to come to Nazareth [our partner hospital]," Jacinta shares. For $790, we can fund Jacinta's total abdominal hysterectomy. This procedure will remove her uterus and cervix, and relieve her pain and bleeding. “We expect after treatment, Jacinta will recover fully," AMHF adds. "She will be well again to take care of her family and achieve her dream of starting a business."

Say hello to Teresia! She is 72-years-old, lives in Kenya, and has a grown-up son. "Teresia had been healthy and doing well until she slipped and sustained fracture of the tibia. Due to her condition, Teresia has been unable to move around and everything has to be done for her," explains our medical partner, the African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). She's also not able to help her son by farming. "If not treated, Teresia will remain in severe pain: the fracture may have delayed healing," AMHF continues. "She will not be able to walk again and this will mean that Teresia will remain dependent on others for the rest of her life." “My mother does not like to bother people," her son says, "she likes to be independent! I hope she gets well so that she can take care of her self and be independent." Teresia saw a doctor who recommended surgery, but she cannot afford the $1,125 cost. She doesn’t have anyone to turn to, as her son doesn’t make enough money to support his own family. Let's work together to raise the money Teresia needs to reduce her pain and help regain her independence!

"I am glad that I have finally found a place for my son’s treatment. I look forward to a successful surgery, and am thankful for any support towards my son’s treatment,” says the mother of Boniface, a five-month-old baby boy living in Kenya. Boniface has spina bifida, a mass on his lower back from improper formation of the spine. Boniface is supported by his mother and grandparents, but they have been unable to raise the money necessary for his treatment. If left untreated, Boniface is likely to get an infection or develop tethered cord, which will limit the movement of his spinal cord. With $805, our medical partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation will be able to provide Boniface with spina bifida closure surgery, which will prevent infection and development of tethered cord. Together we can make it happen!

Say hi to Agnes, a 28-year-old teacher from Kenya! According to our medical partner, Lwala Community Alliance (LCA), “Agnes is a primary school teacher, married and a mother of three children. She has an 8 year old girl and two boys, aged 6 and 4. Her husband is a farmer who grows maize, beans, potatoes, and sugar cane”. Agnes is expecting her fourth child! However, despite Agnes’s previous births, she is “experiencing discomfort unlike before. Her lower abdomen, right thigh, and elbow hurt her,” explains LCA. As a result of these symptoms, Agnes has “difficulty performing all the chores around the house required to raise her other children and even teach her pupils in school”. With proper prenatal care, Agnes will delivery safely and return to a healthy life with her family. For $290, Agnes will receive prenatal care, proper delivery at a health facility, and postnatal care. “With a safe pregnancy and delivery, I hope for a good life for my child and that he or she will get a good education and one day become a nurse,” says Anges. Let’s help Agnes’s baby live a healthy life from the start!