"I hope to see my son growing up to be strong and healthy so that he can finish his studies and become a policeman someday," says the mother of Egan, a 21-month-old boy from the Philippines. Her son has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition––a condition in which his diet does not provide him with sufficient nutrients and calories. Egan lives with his parents in a small house made of bamboo, and he loves to play ball games with his mother. His father works as a driver, but he does not make enough money to fully support his family. In Egan's community, one out of five children under age five is either moderately or severely acutely malnourished. Lack of clean water and unsanitary environments add to the dangers faced by children in such areas. Fortunately, Egan began malnutrition treatment on October 18, 2016. Egan's $184 treatment is provided by Watsi's medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM's home-based feeding program supplies nutrient-enriched food packs to malnourished children to help them attain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. To monitor Egan's progress in the program, ICM staff and volunteers will make weekly visits to check up on him. The home-based feeding program also considers Egan's long-term health by educating his family members about proper nutrition, hygiene, and sanitation. This will help Egan sustain the gains that he makes during the intervention period.

Veasna is a 23-year-old electrician. He has seven sisters and three brothers and he enjoys watching Thai movies on TV, playing football, and cleaning around his home. Veasna was born with congenital clubfoot of his right foot. This makes it difficult for him to walk long distances. Veasna traveled three hours to reach Children's Surgical Center for clubfoot repair surgery, after which it will be easier for Veasna to walk normally and without pain. "I will return home and continue my work as an electrician when I am healed," shares Veasna.

Meet 19-year-old Lay. Originally from Burma, Lay now resides in Thailand and works as a waiter. He lives with his father, a construction worker, and his mother, a homemaker. Lay's favorite sport is football. Referred to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), from the Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand, Lay has been diagnosed with a heart condition known as a ventricular-septal defect. This congenital heart defect results in a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. As a result of Lay's condition, BBP reports, "he feels tired and has heart palpitations. He sweats a lot while he runs and plays football or caries something heavy." $1,500 will fund a complex cardiac surgery to correct the ventricular-septal defect in Lay's heart. "After surgery, Lay should be able to go back to his work and generate money for his family," BBP explains. "He should not feel tired nor have heart palpitations. He should not have fatigue when he plays and runs or carries heavy things." "I am really worried for my son’s condition after I heard the news from the doctor," Lay's mother adds. "I have only one son and one daughter so I do not want to see his condition get worse – I am afraid to lose him. I hope he will recover and I want him to stay with me in the future." "I want to recover and work again to support my family," Lay tells BBP

Meet 38-year-old Khieng! According to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), “Khieng is married with a son” and lives in Cambodia. “He likes to watch TV from Hong Kong, along with Khmer movies and popular music." Khieng was in a motorcycle accident a year and a half ago and suffered a broken tibia. Since then, he has visited several doctors but has not received proper care to repair his broken bone. “Khieng has a nail in his leg that was improperly inserted, and now has a chronic wound along with his broken tibia which has not healed well,” explains CSC. To fix his injuries, Khieng requires surgery to set his leg properly. Referred to as an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF), this surgery involves stabilizing the broken bone with plates and screws to ensure proper healing. CSC reports, “Khieng has not been able to work since the accident and his wife must take up the slack to provide for the family.” With only one parent able to work, it has been difficult for Khieng or his wife to save money to pay for the operation. With $405 in Watsi funding, Khieng will be able to undergo the ORIF. A doctor will reset the leg and Khieng will receive the necessary medication and follow-up care to guarantee a successful recovery. After the surgery, Khieng will soon be able to return to work. CSC tells us, “Khieng says that all he wants to do after surgery is start driving his moto taxi again so he can help support his son.” Let’s support Khieng in getting back on his feet!

Meet Scholasticah, a mother of five from Kenya. She and her husband are casual laborers at a flower farm. Their children are all in school except the first-born, who began assisting his parents at the flower farm following primary school. After concern surrounding her irregular discharge heightened, Scholasticah received a test and biopsy that showed early signs of cervical cancer. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “The doctor advised Scholasticah to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH),” but due to her family’s low income, she was forced to postpone the treatment. Fortunately, her doctor referred Scholasticah to Watsi. Scholasticah’s family’s $60 contribution will subsidize the treatment and the remaining $790 to be raised will cover a TAH—a surgical procedure that involves removing the uterus and cervix. The funding also includes labs, medication, post-operative care, and a five-day hospital stay. AMHF reports, “We expect that after surgery, the cancer will be halted. Scholasticah will be free from the risk of cancer spread and possible death. She will be able to work and raise her children.” With the help of Watsi donors, Scholasticah is hopeful for the future: “I was devastated and my husband was worried when I was told I have cancer. I have been reassured that with this surgery, I can be safe. I really hope to get help and for my surgery to be successful so that the cancer spread can be halted.”

Meet Aung, an eight-year-old boy from Burma! Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us, "Aung really enjoys school and likes studying; he says that he would like to become an eye doctor when he grows up.” Aung has been fighting cancer and previously had his eye removed to prevent tumor spread. The tumor has now spread to his eye socket and needs to be removed. "The tumor currently causes Aung physical and mental discomfort," BBP explains. "After his eye was removed it was hoped that his condition would improve, however, the spread of the tumor has been very difficult for him and his mother. It is physically painful and also causes him a headaches and becomes tired easily." For $1,500, Aung will receive the necessary surgery to remove the tumor. Aung’s mother says, “I really want my son to continue with his education – I never had the opportunity and have had to work a physically difficult job my whole life. I am completely determined to get him treatment no matter how many surgeries he needs.” Let’s help Aung get healthy again!

"Carlos is a good example of why providing emergency help to some diabetics is critical to saving their lives and protecting their welfare," writes the Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) team from Guatemala. Carlos is 39-years-old and was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. Already, he's lost 30-40 pounds and is nearly blind. "Carlos used to work in construction, but since his illness he's been unable to work," the WK team tells us. "In adidtion to being a big blow to his self esteem, being unable to work is part of the spiral of poverty that surrounds severe diabetes. He can't work because he can't afford medications; he can't afford medications because he can't work." The WK team wants to work with Carlos to provide him acute diabetes care to control his blood sugar, help him regain his weight and vision, and get him back to good health so that he can work and care for his family. The cost of the treatment will run at $450. "I didn't know diabetes could be this severe," says Carlos. "I wasn't sure what to do and where to turn to for help." Carlos is already halfway there and in good hands with WK, so let's meet him in the middle and fund his care completely!

Ana is a very motivated 44-year-old indigenous Kaqchikel speaking woman from Guatemala. She is well known to our medical partners at the Wuqu’ Kawoq clinic for her diligence in keeping her diabetes under control. Our hospital partner at WK writes, "Ana has suffered from diabetes for many years. This has clouded the lens in her eyes and led to proliferation of blood vessels in her retina, making vision very difficult. Since she uses insulin, this diminishes her independence when managing her condition and makes it hard for her to get chores done around the house." WK adds, "previously her diabetes control was bad because of poverty and lack of a good advocate. However, over the last few years she has been in the WK clinic and she has worked very hard to get her diabetes back under control so that she would be a safe candidate for eye surgery." For $1500, Ana will receive cataract removal surgery and laser treatment to her eyes which will stabilize her retinal disease and dramatically improve her vision. We can improve her quality of life at home and help her regain independence in managing her condition!