Meet Elibaraka, a four-year-old boy from Tanzania. Elibaraka was a previous Watsi patient who had a skin grafting surgery on his right arm earlier this year, after he was burned in an accident. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports, “The surgery was a success, and now Elibaraka needs a release done on his right knee to allow him to walk better.” Elibaraka has a skin contracture on his right leg, meaning the skin surrounding scarring from his previous burn is pulled tight. AMHF says, “Elibaraka is unable to straighten his leg all the way, and that has affected his gait and ability to walk or run fast.” Elibaraka needs surgery to release the skin around his knee so he can regain mobility. This procedure costs $550 and AMHF says that with it, “Elibaraka will have a better gait.” His aunt’s income is not enough to cover the cost of the procedure. Elibaraka’s aunt adds, “I long to see Elibaraka go to school.”

Meet Luis, a 20-month old baby boy from Guatemala. Luis suffers from acute malnutrition -- he is underfed due to a lack of resources and is at “high risk of starvation and death,” according to our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). Due to his malnutrition, Luis is losing his hair and has minimal energy. He has also been vomiting and has diarrhea, and needs immediate medical attention to regain weight. "His family is extremely poor and lives in a one-room mud house without electricity or running water,” says WK. His family cannot afford treatment or food that Luis needs. For $535, we can fund a multifaceted intervention for Luis. He will first be provided immediate medical attention to improve his current acutely malnourished state. According to WK, “after his health has stabilized, he will receive critical food and micronutrient supplementation and frequent check ups from our staff." "His mother will participate in intensive nutrition education courses that will help her not only get her son back on track, but prevent the need for future hospitalization," WK adds. "This intervention will save Luis's life and help him to get back on track and hopefully prevent long term effects of malnutrition in adulthood.” Luis' mother adds, “Thank you for wanting to help us.”

"I am unhappy because I can't walk well or work hard to support my family,” says Channy, a 33-year-old man who lives with his wife and son in Cambodia. “In 2002, Channy was hit by a car and fractured his tibia,” explains our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Channy received treatment in a private clinic for 13 days but his condition did not improve.” “Today, his left tibia is still misaligned, and it is difficult for him to walk,” CSC continues. “His wife has to help him get around.” $405 covers the cost of treatment for Channy. “Surgeons will perform an open reduction internal fixation procedure to realign Channy's left tibia,” CSC tells us. “He will be able to walk without pain, and he will be fully recovered from his accident.” Funding also pays for two weeks of hospital care, five days of post-operative care (including physiotherapy), and six follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. Channy looks forward to returning to his job at a printing shop and being able to play football again. “Treatment will make my life a bit better," he says.

Seven-month-old Jeremias lives in Guatemala with his mother, father, and older brother. Jeremias loves to play with toy plastic cars with his brother. Recently, Jeremias has learned to sit up on his own. However, Jeremias is currently suffering from acute malnutrition, as his family does not have the resources or education to provide him with nutritious food. “Although he is not currently ill, Jeremias is far below the average for both his height and his weight and is at risk of the long term effects of malnutrition,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “Over time, without intervention, his immune system will weaken, he will start to lose developmental milestones, and he will be at increased risk of the long term effects of malnutrition.” Jeremias’s mother weaves blouses to sell at the market, and his father farms beans in the fields near their home. Despite their hard work, they do not earn enough money to provide a varied and nutritious diet for Jeremias. $535 will fund growth monitoring, medication, micronutrient, and food supplementation to help Jeremias thrive, WK tells us. “His mother will receive nutrition education that will improve not only the health of Jeremias, but also the health of his brother.” “Jeremias will recoup the height and weight he has lost, and will begin to develop normally,” WK continues. “His immune system will strengthen, and he will be able to better combat infection and illness in the future.” "Thank you for wanting to help us,” says Jeremias’ mother. “We are so thankful this program exists, and we think it will really help our baby."