"I am happy that I can have this surgery so I will have more energy, and don't have to be as worried about my health anymore,” says Elizabeth, a 17-year-old from Haiti. Elizabeth does the best she can to pursue her interests, which include school, going to church, playing with her sisters, and listening to music. But a health condition sometimes makes it hard to do all of this without getting tired. Elizabeth is 17 now, but when she was 12, she fell ill with rheumatic fever. The disease infected the valves of her heart, and severely damaged one of them. This valve no longer opens and closes normally, which in turn means that blood backs up into her heart and does not circulate adequately through her body. This causes Elizabeth to feel fatigued much of the time. Furthermore, if left untreated, the condition could become fatal. There is a surgical procedure that can repair Elizabeth’s damaged heart valve. However, her parents, who are farmers, cannot afford to pay for this operation on her own. Fortunately, a hospital, Health City Cayman Islands, has offered to subsidize the $10,000 cost of the surgery itself. What we still need to raise is $1,500 to cover the diagnostic tests and transportation costs that Elizabeth needs in order to travel to the Cayman Islands for her surgery—including passports, airfare, and a stipend for the family that will host her there. Obtaining this surgery for Elizabeth now will help her pursue a bright future. She is a strong student, and would someday like to go on to college, then open a business.

“We dream that our son will grow big and heathy, and be able to study when he is older,” shares Axel’s father. Two-month-old Axel is acutely malnourished because his mother cannot produce breast milk. She has been giving him water with sugar and rice. But he has still been losing weight steadily, and now weighs much less than when he was born. Recently, Axel has been crying and coughing a lot. With an immune system weakened by severe weight loss, even a simple cough or fever could be life-threatening. If Axel does not receive treatment soon, he could face the risk of seizures, permanent brain damage, and death. Axel is the youngest of four in his family. They live in a one-room house in a rural community in the mountains of Guatemala. His father works as a day laborer, making very little money when he finds work, and often having no source of income for days at a time. Axel’s mother spends her days caring for him and his siblings, cooking, and cleaning. Although Axel's life is in danger right now, treatment is simple and effective. For $1,016, he will receive formula for one year, until he is able to consume normal foods. This will help him gain weight, and develop normally both mentally and physically. His immune system will grow stronger, and his life will no longer be in danger. Furthermore, his mother and other family members will receive motivational nutrition classes in their home, so they will be able to know what foods to feed Axel so he can overcome his case of malnutrition and life a full and healthy life. Let’s help this family guide their son into a healthy childhood.

Than Dar is a 27-year-old woman who lives in Burma with her parents, her eight-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, and her two sisters. She enjoys listening to music in her free time. Than Dar has been healthy her entire life. However, a month ago she began experiencing abdominal pain and excessive bleeding that prompted her to visit several clinics. Than Dar received a blood test and ultrasound, which she paid for herself, and these exams revealed a uterine mass. After her examinations in April, Than Dar was referred for further care, where another ultrasound confirmed previous reports of the presence of a mass close to the ovary. As a result of her mass, Than Dar is experiencing pain in her lower abdomen and back, tenderness upon pressing the area, and excessive bleeding. She hasn't been able to work for a month but she can help her mother with light household chores. Than Dar is scheduled for surgery to remove her mass, but she requires financial assistance to cover the $1,500 procedure that will eliminate her pain and rid her of future risks associated with the growth. She has been living and working as a shop vendor in Thailand for the past two years. Her work enables her to send money home to support her children and other family members. The family's total income is sufficient for their day-to-day needs and they can pay for minor medical expenses; however, they are unable to put any money away for savings. Than Dar hopes to get back to work to support her children after her surgery. "I want my children to go to school and become educated," she says. "I only completed third grade and I want them to do better. Whatever they decide to do with their lives is fine, as I only want them to be happy with their lives."

"I hope to become a secondary school teacher when I grow up," says 15-year-old Sara. Sara just completed her primary education in Tanzania, and did very well. Her favorite subject is science. "Sara was born with congenital clubfoot," reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). This condition caused both of her feet to grow inward and with very high arches. Now, "she is using the lateral aspect of her feet for walking, which has badly affected her gait," AMHF tells us. "Sara will most likely develop early osteoarthritis if not treated." Sara needs surgery to correctly realign her feet. However, working as small scale farmers, Sara's parents are unable to pay for this treatment. They rely on growing and selling maize and sunflower seeds -- barely enough to support Sara and her three younger siblings, let alone additional medical expenses. $1,160 will fund Sara's medical treatment - an operation in which doctors will surgically release the overly tight tendons in her feet that are causing them to turn inward. Then her foot and ankle joints can be re-aligned, and casts will hold them in place while they heal. Sara will also receive inpatient care for about four months to ensure that these casts are properly cared for. After fully recovering from her operation, "Sara will no longer have to use the lateral aspect of her feet for walking," says AMHF, "that will improve her gait and reduce the risk of developing early osteoarthritis. She will then be able to continue her secondary education and work towards her future goals."

“Taina is an intelligent and cheerful girl who enjoys going to school and is in the third grade,” says our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Taina also likes to play with dolls and make new friends. Taina was born with a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. "A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart," explains HCA. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sickly and weak.” Taina requires surgery to repair the opening between the atria in her heart. “Following surgery, normal blood flow should be restored to Taina’s heart and body,” says HCA, “and she should no longer have symptoms from this condition.” However, Taina needs help securing funding for her operation. “Her mother passed away when she was young, and she lived in the streets for some time before being enrolled into an orphanage,” says HCA. Gift of Life International has contributed $5,000 towards her surgery, and an additional $1,500 in Watsi funding is needed to cover preparation and transportation costs, as this surgery is not readily available in Haiti. With our help, Taina can receive the medical care she needs to restore her health. “I am very excited to have my surgery so that I can play with my friends without getting tired,” she shares.

Two years ago, Naangayok underwent a mass excision for a benign tumor on his leg. This procedure was funded by Watsi donors, and was successful. Recently, however, Naangayok returned to the hospital in pain and unable to walk. Doctors discovered that the tumor had recurred and diagnosed the tumor as cancerous. Naangayok is an 18-year-old man from Tanzania, who lives with his parents and helps his father herd cattle. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “The tumor cannot be excised as there is no way of doing so without destroying some nerves and blood vessels. This would result in a non-functional limb and a high change of a recurring tumor.” Doctors recommend that Naangayok’s leg be amputated above the knee. After the wound has healed, Naangayok will need a prosthetic to walk again. $1,035 will fund the operation Naangayok needs. Even if Naangayok’s parents sell the few cattle they own, they will not be able to afford the operation for their son. AMHF says that with the operation, “We expect that the surgery will reduce the chances of the cancer spreading and save Naangayok’s life.” “I wish I didn’t have to lose my leg, but I am feeling a lot of pain that I have accepted," Naangayok shares. "My changes of healing are higher without that part of my leg. I hope I will still be able to walk when I get an artificial leg."

Meet Abubeker, a two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. Abubeker’s father is a newly employed teacher in a government school. “Abubeker was born with an abnormally placed urination hole," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), "As a result, Abubeker cannot pass urine normally. This condition puts Abubeker at risk of contracting urinary tract infections and infertility in the future." Abubeker's condition is known as hypospadias. For $1,155, we can fund an operation that will correct the abnormality. “Abubeker will have a straight penis with a urination hole at the tip. He will be able to pass urine normally and his risk of urinary tract infections and infertility in future will be minimized,” explains AMHF. Abubeker's father says, “I really pray and wish that in future, Abubeker will be an intelligent and educated professional.”

Meet Norma, a 10-year-old girl from Guatemala. “Norma is in second grade and loves physical education class, but wishes she could play more,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Norma has severe asthma, and she regularly experiences asthma attacks. “She cannot play with the other kids, and, even when she feels well, she fears that if she joins them for a soccer match or a run around the coffee fields, she will have an attack," WK says. Norma has gone several years without treatment. Her father works as a construction worker and her mother tends to the house, and they are unable to afford any treatment. For $595, Norma will receive an inhaler and the medication necessary to help her control her asthma. “She will no longer need to live in fear of having an asthma attack in front of her friends, and will be able to exercise freely,” reports WK. Norma, who dreams of becoming a teacher, tells us, “I just want to run like a normal kid. I like watching fútbol (soccer), but playing is more fun.”

Paulina is 48 years old, and works to support her family in Kenya. She is a widow and has three children. "Her two younger children are still in school and Paulina prays that they will be able to complete their education and get good jobs,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. “Five months ago, Paulina discovered a lump in her left breast,” reports AMHF. After seeing a specialist in Nairobi, a biopsy confirmed that the lump is cancerous. Doctors have recommended a mastectomy to remove her entire left breast, but Paulina worries about the costs. “Paulina does any odd jobs she gets to be able to feed and provide for her family,” AMHF tells us. After her husband passed away, she became the sole provider for her family and her children’s education. It took her a long time to save enough money to afford the initial scans to diagnose the cancer and she cannot save more to pay for the operation. For $740, Paulina will receive surgery and follow-up chemotherapy to ensure that the cancer is completely removed. These funds will cover all the costs of the operation, the chemotherapy, and her hospital stay. Paulina is looking forward to the opportunity to regain her health. “All she knew was that cancer kills and that she did not want to die,” explains AMHF. “After counseling and elaboration of the treatment process from the doctor, hope shows in her eyes.”

Meet Sera, a 46-year-old mother of five from Kenya. “Sera sells roasted maize and washes clothes to earn a living,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “She lives with her two youngest children who are fully dependent on her.” Sera has fibroids, which cause her severe abdominal pain. “The pain is so bad that Sera often has to miss work,” says AMHF. “She started having lower abdominal pain and back aches some time ago. When the pain became too much and over the counter medication no longer helped, Sera sought medical care.” “After a scan showed that she had fibroids and would need surgery, Sera has been working hard to raise the money needed for her treatment, but she is unable to raise enough money needed for this surgery,” says AMHF. With $800, Sera will be able to receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. The surgery will stop the pain and allow Sera to return to work and care for her family. "The pain causes me to miss work and turn down cleaning jobs,” shares Sera. “I want to be able to work well again.”

Meet Carlos, a one-year-old baby from Guatemala and the youngest of four children. “He loves to play with his toy cars and make sound effects when he drives them along the floor of this house,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Carlos is suffering from malnutrition. His weight and height are far below the average for his age, and he is at for the risk for long-term negative effects of malnutrition,” WK explains. “If left untreated, Carlos will not develop to his full potential physically and mentally, and will hit developmental milestones later than his peers.” WK adds that, without intervention, “Carlos’ energy will decrease, and he will be unable to develop to his full mental potential, thus limiting his ability to concentrate and go far in school. His immune system will weaken, putting him at risk for infections, such as pneumonia, and later in life he will be at higher risk for chronic illness such as diabetes and hypertension.” For $535, we can fund a comprehensive acute malnutrition treatment that will get Carlos back on track. “He will receive micronutrient and food supplementation and his parents will undergo intensive nutrition education so they feel confident continuing his care even after treatment with WK is completed. Carlos’ immune system will strengthen and he will have more energy to play with others and learn from his surroundings,” reports WK. In the words of Carlos’ mother, “I am grateful to God and to the institution for the help that you are bringing to my baby Carlos, so that he can recover. I don’t feel capable of being able to give him all the nutrients necessary for his recovery.” Let’s help Carlos regain his energy and return to a stable course of growth!

Meet Alefa, a 57-year-old woman from Malawi. “Alefa is a housewife with eight children. She depends on farming cassava to earn a living,” shares our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). Alefa was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. WAM tell us the tumor causes her to experience severe headaches and poor sight. Because of her condition, Alefa requires constant support. $1,500 will fund a resection of the brain, removing the tumor so that normal brain tissue can continue to grow. The funding Alefa receives will also ensure that she receives post-surgical monitoring in the ICU along with medications and further brain imaging. “Alefa says she will be very grateful if she finds well-wishers to support her to have surgery, so that she can get back to normal,” shares WAM.