Dion is 18 months old and the only child in his family from Bolivia. He lives with his mom, who is studying IT, and his dad, who works as a small entrepreneur. Dion's mother noticed that he has problems gaining weight and frequently gets colds. After a medical consult, Dion was diagnosed with a heart condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 22nd, Dion will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it.. Dion's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Dion's mother shared, "We are very grateful my child can receive this lifesaving surgery; we are so thankful."

Metsenot is an eager and curious 19-month-old boy from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. He loves exploring his surroundings and spending playtime with his older sister. His mother is a devoted housewife, while his father works as a security guard for a government institution, striving to support the family despite their financial challenges. When Metsenot's mother gave birth to him, doctors discovered that he had multiple birth conditions. He was immediately referred to specialists for surgery for spina bifida. The family was overwhelmed with fear and anxiety, especially when the doctor informed them that their baby’s chances of survival were slim. His mother was heartbroken, and the recovery process was difficult, as the wound took twenty days to heal. Metsenot's mother continues to visit the hospital every three months to manage his recurrent urinary tract infections, which have added to the family’s emotional and financial strain. Metsenot was also diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Metsenot has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Metsenot's family worried that they would not be able to afford treatment, but found renewed hope through BethanyKids Myungsung Christian Medical Centre, our medical partner's care center. Metsenot will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 21st. AMH is requesting $754 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Metsenot's mother expressed her heartfelt wishes, saying, "I long for my child to be healthy and thrive like other children. I am truly grateful for all the support we have received."

Chala is a 16-year-old young man from Ethiopia. He comes from a family of 7, with a hardworking father, and his mother who takes care of their home. Six years ago, Chala started experiencing troubling symptoms including pain, swelling, bone issues and drainage. The painful condition has kept him from attending school and in engaging in physical activities, and his family struggles to afford his medical care. Despite his health challenges, Chala holds onto hope. He dreams of getting back to school so he can help his family and community. Following a review at our medical partner's care center, Saglan Wajee General Hospital, Chala was diagnosed with chronic osteomyelitis in his right leg, a persistent bone infection. Doctors have recommended that he undergo a sequestrectomy, a surgical procedure involving the removal of fragments of infected, dead bone or tissue. If not treated, it can lead to recurrent infections that may result in life-threatening complications. Fortunately, on September 10th, Chalo will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. His family is requesting $900 to fund the surgery, which once completed, will alleviate his symptoms and prevent serious long-term complications. Chala says: "I hope that the surgery will help me move around better, and improve my health so that I can continue with my studies and support my family"

Grace is a 46-year-old vegetable farmer from Malawi. She lives in a rural farming community with her husband and their five children, all of whom still live at home. Together, she and her husband grow vegetables to sell at the market. It's tough work, but it's how they feed their family, pay school fees, and take care of life’s basic needs. One year ago, Grace began experiencing pain and swelling in her lower abdomen. At first, she tried to ignore it, there was always work to do, and as a mother of five, taking time off just didn’t feel like an option. But the discomfort grew worse, making it harder for her to do even the most basic tasks like bending over in the farm, walking long distances to fetch water, carrying produce to the market, or riding the bicycle due to the pain. She visited several local health centers, hoping someone could help. Unfortunately, none of them could provide a clear diagnosis or the treatment she needed. It wasn’t until she reached Blessings Hospital that she finally got answers. There, she was diagnosed with a femoral hernia, which occurs on the upper thigh, just above the groin. She was referred to our medical partner's care center, Nkhoma Hospital, for further management. At Nkhoma Hospital, doctors recommended she undergo a laparoscopic femoral hernia repair to could relieve her symptoms and restore her ability to work and care for her family. But the cost of surgery was overwhelming for her. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Grace receive treatment. On July 9th, she will undergo hernia repair surgery to treat her condition, allowing her to live more comfortably. Now, Grace needs help to fund this $421 procedure. Grace said, “I want to be strong again for my children, for my husband, and for myself. This program is giving me hope I didn’t think I’d have. I am so thankful."

Nan Lae is a 15-year-old girl from Burma. She lives with her parents, her two younger siblings in Karen State, Burma. Her father is a rice farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. She had to stop studying after the fourth grade due to her family’s financial difficulties. The family earns money from harvesting and selling rice, and their income is just enough to cover their daily expenses. In 2023, Lae noticed swelling in her gums. She visited the local clinic with her mother, where the medic removed a mass in her gums. The swelling disappeared, but after a year, the mass returned. Lae continues to experience swelling around her gums and difficulty opening her mouth. She can only chew on her left side because her right side is swollen. Nan Lae sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on November 12th, and needs help to raise $1,500 to cover the cost of her procedure and care. Lae shared, “I cannot eat; sometimes I have to avoid chewing hard food.” Her mother added, “I want her to recover from this as soon as possible. She has already suffered for two years.”

Jonah is a jovial and high-spirited student from Kenya. He is the 7th born in a family of 8 children. He is in class 2 at Mwiteria vision academy under a sponsorship of a well-wisher. The family hails from Iteria village in Meru County. His single mother used to be a farmer, but she currently stays at home. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Jonah has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Jonah traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 16th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Jonah's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily. “We request your support, being the only breadwinner in the family and I am also impaired. I have two boys who need surgery. I am not able to raise the bill. Please help,” said Jonah’s mother.

Bravel Paul is an 8-year-old student from Kenya. He likes playing football and watching cartoons. His family hails from Kajiado County. He is a class 1 pupil and likes reading books and other hobbies. His father is a caretaker for some houses, while his mother is a housewife. The family lives in a one-roomed rental house in Kitengela. Bravel has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Bravel traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 24th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Bravel's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily and wear shoes. "I would like to see my son walking comfortably and therefore any assistance accorded to us will be highly appreciated," Bravel’s father told us.

Dan is a child from Kenya. Dan’s mother is still a student in college while his father left her before he was born. They depend on Dan’s maternal grandparents who are peasant farmers and three school-going children under their care. Dan dipped his hand in hot water in April last year. He was rushed to Naivasha District Hospital where he was admitted for treatment. He was discharged a few weeks later and went home for recovery. Days on, the wound was not recovering as expected properly; he had to be readmitted in the same hospital. The wound worsened as the days went by as the skin grafting was not successful. The hospital decided to refer them to a hospital where they believed Dan would receive better care, hence being referred to Watsi medical partner Kijabe Hospital. The wound is not healing and if not treated, Dan may suffer infection. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Dan receive treatment. On January 16th, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to heal the wound. Now, Dan needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. “It pains me to see my son confined in the house and he cannot play with his friends because of the wound. Please help us,” says Dan’s mother.

U Chit is a 55-year-old man from Myawaddy Township, Karen State, Burma. He divorced his wife seven years ago and has two daughters and three sons. His youngest daughter lives with his ex-wife in Yangon and their other children live in Myawaddy Township. In March 2019, he entered into monkhood. Now, he receives alms from laypeople and from his children. In February 2019, U Chit began to experience back pain and a burning sensation when urinating. To treat his symptoms, he bought medication from a nearby pharmacy. However, after taking the medicine, he did not feel any better. He later went to a local clinic where he received more medication for his symptoms. They suggested that he go to Myawadday Hospital to receive an ultrasound scan. However, he did not go to the hospital because he did not think he would be able to pay for the cost of the scan. Instead, he continued taking the medicine that the doctor had prescribed. Unfortunately, his pain when urinating did not get better. Finally, U Chit decided to visit Mae Tao Clinic (MTC), where he got his hernia treated four years ago, to seek treatment. U Chit arrived at MTC on April 24th, 2019, where an ultrasound scan revealed that he had a bladder stone. The next day, he was sent to Mae Sot Hospital (MSH) where he received an injection and oral medication. On May 16th, 2019, he received an Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP) test for further investigation. After the IVP test, the doctor told him that he requires surgery and is scheduled for 20th November 2019. Currently, U Chit experiences back pain and he continues to feel a burning sensation when urinating. Aside from his concerns about his condition, he is worried about financial problems because he is a monk and does not have a regular income. U Chit likes reading Buddhist texts and newspapers in his free time. He said, “I want to cure my condition as soon as possible and I would like to focus on religious activities. After I am cured, I also would like to help find treatment for my daughter who has suffered from a stroke.”

Coldy is a baby from Haiti who lives with his mother and father in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. Coldy has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart; blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. Coldy will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On November 14th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart using a patch. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5000 to pay for surgery. Coldy's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Coldy's family overseas. From Coldy's mother, "I am hopeful that after his surgery my son will start eating better and gaining weight!"

Sokni is a 19-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He has seven other brothers and sisters, and enjoys playing soccer and going for walks with his friends around the village. In July 2019, Sokni was in a motorcycle accident where he injured his left shoulder. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his left side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He has lost sensation in his elbow, has pain every day, and cannot move his arm without difficulty. Sokni traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On October 04, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. After recovery, Surgery will allow Sokni to be able to use his arm again and no longer have any pain.. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. Sokni said, "I hope that after surgery, I will not have any more pain or difficulty moving my arm and I can return to my work at the tire factory."

Maulito is a young man from Haiti. He lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother; he used to work repairing electronics but has not been able to continue since falling ill. Maulito has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in his heart has been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. Maulito will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 9th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Maulito's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Maulito's family overseas. "I am looking forward to being able to focus on my future after having surgery!"