Malinga is a farmer from Malawi. Malinga lives with his wife, and they have seven children. In addition to farming, Malinga also raises goats. In his free time, he likes to attend his local church and worship with his family. Since January 2018, Malinga has had an inguinal hernia. This hernia causes Malinga a great amount of pain and prevents him from working his farm. Fortunately, on April 3, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $334 to fund Malinga's surgery. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and six nights of hospital stay. Malinga was thrilled to find out his surgery would be funded, and he is looking forward to being able to again farm his land. He says, "Thank you for the support."

Milien is a young man from Haiti. He lives with his parents, brothers and sisters in Port-au-Prince. He has not yet finished high school because of his heart condition. He enjoys going to church and spending time with his family and neighbors. Milien has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart does not function properly because it was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever he suffered several years ago. As a result, his heart cannot adequately circulate blood through his body, and he is weak and in heart failure. Milien will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On March 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will either repair or replace his damaged mitral valve.. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $60,000 to pay for surgery. Milien'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 Milien's family overseas. He says, "I pray for God's blessings on everyone who is helping me to have this surgery."

Martin is a 23-year-old man from Narok, Kenya. He recently married, and he is enjoying family life. Martin works a motorcycle taxi rider, ferrying clients and luggage within his local town. About a week ago, Martin was hit on his head with a club. He was taken to the local hospital and after first aid, referred to our medical partner's facility. He underwent a CT scan and was diagnosed with a depressed skull fracture. A craniotomy has been recommended to treat the injury. Martin is scheduled to undergo surgery on January 4. Now, he needs help raising $1,495. Martin says, “I want to be treated and resume my work. I am having painful head migraines.”

Mugisha is a five-year-old young boy from Uganda. He lives with his parents and has four siblings. Mugisha’s father is a journalist and his mother is a stay-at-home mother. Mugisha’s legs started to bend inward when he started walking. At the age of three, Mugisha was in pain and his parents took him to the hospital for further assessments. He was given calcium and vitamins but he still experienced pain in his legs. Having heard of Watsi’s program with our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), they decided to seek help. Mugisha was told he has windswept deformity, meaning his left leg is bowed outward and his right leg is bowed inward, making it painful and difficult to walk. Our medical partner, AMHF, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Mugisha that will help guide future bone growth. Mugisha’s surgery is scheduled to take place on September 15. Mugisha’s father says, “I am grateful for this opportunity my son has received. Thank you all.”

Ephy is a sweet 17-year-old girl from Kenya. She lost her parents at a young age and has been raised at a children's home. Ephy is an avid student in high school. Ephy has been diagnosed with perforations in both ear drums, leaving her susceptible to total hearing loss. To prevent her from losing her hearing, doctors at our medical partner's care center, AIC Kijabe Hospital, have recommended her for surgery. On August 16, Ephy will undergo surgery to correct her hearing. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $591 to cover the cost of her treatment. After surgery, Ephy is looking forward to succeeding in school!

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.”

Brian, a 35-year-old Kenyan man, came to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), seeking treatment for a leg injury sustained earlier this year in a hit-and-run accident involving a motorcycle. “Since then,” explains AMHF, “he is unable to work and relies solely on his family.” Brian’s condition, chronic osteomyelitis of the right tibia, is an infection of his lower leg bone resulting from his injury. Typical symptoms include recurring pain, redness, swelling, and bone loss. Currently, “Brian is experiencing pain and inability to use his right leg,” AMHF tells us. “If not treated, Brian is at risk of pathological fracture of the tibia.” Treatment of osteomyelitis is a surgical technique to regenerate bone lost as a result of the infection. In this technique—known as bone transport—an orthopedic surgeon breaks the involved bone and attaches the bone fragments to an external fixation device. As the fracture begins to heal, the external fixator is adjusted to pull the healing fracture apart approximately one millimeter per day. Separating the fragments in this manner promotes bone growth and results in the restoration of the lost bone over time. After the accident, Brian was treated surgically, but the procedure was unsuccessful, and he cannot pay for the additional surgery that he needs. $1,500 in funding pays for the bone transport surgery as well as 12 days of hospital care, antibiotic therapy, and physiotherapy. Brian’s family has saved $110 to cover additional costs associated with his care. “We expect after a bone transport, Brian's leg will heal,” shares AMHF. “He will be able to use his leg again. Brian will be able to work.” "I had planned to marry and provide for my family before this accident,” says Brian. “I really hope I will be able to do that after this surgery.”

“Luis is a happy child. He likes to sing even when no-one is listening and the words are not correct," reports our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). Luis is a one-year-old boy from Guatemala. Luis, his four older siblings, and his parents live together in a small one-room adobe house. His mother is the breadwinner in the family and works hard weaving blouses, but with five children it is difficult to provide for everybody. “Luis is suffering from malnutrition, and has had regular diarrhea and fevers,” WK shares. “His mother took him to the health center, where they notified her that he was not growing well. However, since then there have been little changes to Luis’ diet, as his mother has not had the resources to supply him with more food and the health center did not counsel her on nutrition or small changes she could make for his health.” Acute malnutrition can have devastating consequences for a child’s development. Without proper nutrition, Luis’ mental and physical development will lag behind other children of his age. His immune system will weaken, making Luis susceptible to chronic illnesses like fever, cough, diarrhea, and infections. He will struggle with school and have difficulty reaching his economic potential. “His mother wants him to become a preacher when he grows up,” WK tells us. To achieve this goal, Luis needs nutritional intervention to get his health back on track. For $535, Luis will receive the nutritional support he needs, and his mother will receive education to provide for her children’s long-term health. “This treatment will give Luis and his family the support they need to help Luis recover from malnutrition,” explains WK. After treatment, WK says, "He will recoup some height and weight he has lost and start to catch up developmentally to his healthy peers. His immune system will improve and he will maintain his energy levels to learn and attend school. His mom will receive intensive nutrition education and the skills she needs to feel confident in caring for her five children.” Luis’ mother is looking forward to being able to provide for her children’s health. “You are going to help me a lot. I know I will receive the help I need to help Luis keep growing normally. I want to learn what I need to do, and how to feed him properly,” she says.

Meet Brayan, a one-month-old boy from Kenya. "Brayan is the only child to his single mother. He lives with his mother and grandparents in a remote village," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "His mother dropped out of school after developing a mental disability. Both Brayan and his mother are under the care of his grandparents who practice small scale farming.” Brayan was born with spina bifida—a birth defect in which part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the backbone. AMHF reports that “the open swelling on Brayan’s back exposes him to infection and risk of developing a tethered cord if not treated.” To live safely, Brayan needs surgery to close the opening over the spinal cord. This procedure costs $805, an amount that Brayan’s grandparents cannot afford. AMHF tells us, “after surgery the risk of infection and development of tethered cord will reduce.” Brayan’s uncle shares, “it is very disheartening to see my nephew sick, and I hope he gets treatment soon.”

“I treasure him so much,” Miracle’s mother says of her second born son. A baby boy from Malawi, Miracle is living with hydrocephalus—a condition in which there is blockage in the pathways of cerebrospinal fluid (water in the brain). This blockage causes water to accumulate within the skull, putting increased pressure on the brain. Miracle's condition causes his "head to be very big, making it difficult for him to support his neck," says our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). The condition has also led to “delayed milestones, in that he is cannot see and has problems eating." If left untreated, the damage to Miracle’s brain will increase and neurodevelopment will cease. Miracle's mother, however, does not have the funds to pay for Miracle's surgery. With $992 in funding, Miracle will receive an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV). In this procedure an endoscope is used to make a small whole in the brain to bypass the blockage. Funding also supports Miracle’s post-operative medication and a ten day hospital stay. WAM explains that after the procedure, “the pressure in Miracle’s brain will normalize and his head will return to normal size. He will be able to see properly and it will ease his eating difficulties. He will also be able to sit down on his own.” Miracle's mother tells us she “would be very happy if he could get treated." Let's help make it possible!

“I work hard to support my sons and parents,” Ian’s mom shares. “I want to see Ian and his brother lead a better life that I do. I will ensure that they get the best education possible.” This is Ian, an eight-year-old boy from Kenya. Ian lives with his younger sibling, mother, and grandparents. Ian’s mother works in a bar along with one her brothers. “Ian was playing when he fell and fractured his leg,” his doctor at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tells us. “He was plastered but the fracture did not heal well. Ian experiences pain in his leg especially when walking. This has affected him in school because he cannot participate in activities that will have him walking around, standing or running. If the surgery is not done soon, Ian could develop severe infection which would result in amputation.” Ian will need an ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) procedure to repair his leg. Ian’s mother has not been able to raise the money for his treatment, but with $1,410 we can help. “We expect that after the surgery and recovery,” AMHF explains, “Ian will be able to focus on his studies and participate in all the school activates. The risk of infection will also reduce.”

"Jennifer is a smart, 11-year-old girl," shares African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), our medical partner in Tanzania. She "likes science classes and enjoys skipping rope." "Jennifer is in class five," AMHF continues, "and has learned how to use her left hand for writing after her accident, which led to a severe contracture of her right arm. The accident happened in September last year, when Jennifer saw water spilling from a pressure cooker, which was not closed well. When she tried to open the lid, the high pressure pushed the lid open and vapor rushed on Jennifer’s arm, severely burning her. She was rushed to the hospital and got first aid and was admitted for some months at the hospital. Jennifer’s arm is now in L shape and she still has a wound." Jennifer’s mother, Gladness, supports the family on her own by selling secondhand clothing. Since the accident however, Gladness has been at the hospital with her daughter, creatively generating income by selling homemade ice-cream. Despite this new source of income, "Gladness badly needs financial support so that her daughter can use her arm again," shares AMHF. For $870, we can fund a treatment to release Jennifer’s burn contracture, allowing her to stretch her arm and perform activities more easily. "My dream is to become a pediatrician when I grow up," says Jennifer. Together, we can help both Jennifer and her family.