Tasmiya is a bright, curious five-year-old girl from India. Tasmiya's father works in the carpet industry; her mother is a homemaker. Her favourite fruit is mango, and like any child her age, she wants to run, play, and go to school with her friends. She is the second of four daughters, and her father describes her as a girl who loves to study. Her face lit up whenever school was mentioned, but her injury made it difficult for her to continue her education. About a year ago, Tasmiya was playing with a friend when she accidentally fell into hot water, causing severe scald burns. The burns covered a large area of her chest, affecting both sides, including tissue near her breasts and chest wall, as well as her right thigh. As the burns healed, they left thick, raised scarring across her chest and thigh, and most disabling of all, a scar contracture at her right elbow that has pulled the joint out of its normal position. The contracture in the right elbow has left her unable to fully extend or use her arm normally. Simple daily tasks like writing, dressing, and carrying a school bag are difficult for her right now. Tasmiya has not been able to go to school or continue her education, something her father says weighs on her, since she loves learning. As she grows, the scarring on her chest also carries the risk of restricting normal development if left untreated. Tasmiya's family learned about our medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, and sought treatment. On September 2nd, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery. This will release the contracture and help restore use of her arm, allowing her to write and carry a school bag, dress herself, and do everyday things other five-year-olds do without a second thought. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,442 procedure. Tasmiya's father shared, "I am happy that she will have her surgery done, and I am confident because my neighbour, who had severe contractures, was treated here and is fully healed. I have full faith in Tasmiya's recovery."

Somaly is a playful two-year-old. She has one sister and her father works as a taxi driver. At home, Somaly enjoys playing with dolls with her sister. Two weeks ago, Somaly developed a chalazion in her left eye. A chalazion is an inflamed cyst in the tear gland. As a result, Somaly is experiencing burning, itchiness, and irritation in her eye, and it is difficult for her to see clearly. Somaly traveled with her family to seek treatment from our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). On November 4th, surgeons will perform a chalazion excision procedure to remove the cyst. After recovery, Somaly's symptoms should improve. CSC is requesting $187 to help fund this procedure. Somaly's mom shared, "I hope her irritation and swelling go away and she can be well."

Michael is a baby from Tanzania, and the last born child in a family of five. He is a jovial boy and happy most of the time. Michael’s father has been away to a different city working as night guard while the mother is a stay home wife looking after their five children. His father is able to send some little money every month to help support the family. Michael 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, Michael traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 11th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Michael's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk without difficulty. Michael’s mother says, “Please help correct my child's foot so that he can learn how to walk like other children.”

Muth is a 70-year-old woman with five sons, four daughters, and fourteen grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda. Two years ago, Muth developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision, burning, itchiness, cloudy lenses, and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, working, and going anywhere outside. When Muth learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours with her son seeking treatment. On October 26, doctors performed small incision cataract surgery in each eye and inserted intraocular lens implants. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly again. Now, Muth needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope my eyes can see everything more clearly," she says, "so that I can do any work and go anywhere outside by myself."

Sotheavy is a nine-year-old primary school student from Cambodia in the 3rd grade. She has one older brother. She likes to draw pictures and play games. Sotheavy's family heard about Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), a Watsi medical partner, from a relative. She traveled for three hours with her mother by taxi to reach CSC for treatment. Sotheavy has a preauricular sinus infection on the left side, causing her discharge and pain. A preauricular sinus is a common congenital malformation that causes an unnecessary cyst to form anywhere near the external ear. In some cases they can become infected and need to be treated with surgery. Sotheavy had two surgeries in 2012 and two surgeries in 2013 at a different hospital, however she still experiences recurrent infection. Sotheavy will undergo an excision surgery to remove the infected preauricular sinus to stop the pain and discharge. $224 will cover the cost of the surgery and care she needs. Sotheavy shared, "I hope my runny nose will stop and I can breathe easily. I want to study accounting."

“I just want what is best for my baby,” shares Miguel’s mother. Meet Miguel, an eight-month-old infant from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “Miguel is the second child in his family. He loves to play with his older sister Debora. His mother weaves and creates blouses to sell, and his father is unemployed with alcoholism. His mother struggles to afford enough food for the four of them.” Miguel was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. “Miguel is below the average height and the average weight for his age,” WK reports, ”Without intervention his health will continue to decline. He will lose weight and his height will not increase. He will be at risk for the long-term effects of malnutrition including stunted mental and physical development, which will prevent him from succeeding in school and limit his ability to combat illness in the future. His mother does not make enough money to afford one egg per day for Miguel.” As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. $512 will fund the treatment Miguel needs to address his nutritional deficit and improve his low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Miguel of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for his parents. With these combined efforts, Miguel will recoup his weight and height and strengthen his immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.