Sros is a rice farmer from Cambodia. He has four children and six grandchildren. He likes listening to the radio and spending time with his family. One year ago, Sros developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and constant irritation. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Sros learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 16, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I would like to see clearly so I can continue to read Buddhist books."

Stanley is a student from Haiti. He lives in the outskirts of Port-au-Prince with his mother, father, and brothers. He is in the third grade and likes listening to soccer games on the radio and playing with his friends. Stanley has a cardiac condition called severe valvar pulmonic stenosis. One of the four valves in his heart is too narrow, preventing enough blood from passing through it and leading to heart failure. Stanley will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 10, he will undergo cardiac surgery. During surgery, the team will insert a catheter with a balloon at the end into his heart, and inflate the balloon to stretch his valve open. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $14,000 to pay for surgery. Stanley'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 Stanley's family overseas. His mother says, "I am happy my son can have this surgery so that I don't have to be scared about his health."

Imran is a happy, gentle 11-month-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his mother at his grandparents' house. Imran was born with clubfoot of his left foot—a condition where the foot turns inward. As Imran grows up, this condition can cause difficulty walking and pain that may make it hard for him to attend school or engage in activities like other kids his age. The condition's stigmatization could also take a toll. On October 13, Imran will receive the treatment he needs. Afterwards, he will be able to learn to walk without difficulty, attend school, and participate in other activities free from pain or stigma. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $890 for Imran's treatment. Imran’s mother says, “I will be very happy to see my child get treated and be in a normal condition, I promise to take Imran to school when he grows up because I do not have any doubt that Imran will be well after treatment.”

Lah is a 40-year-old woman from Burma. She works with an organization that promotes women’s empowerment and involvement in public life. Her husband is a soldier. They are supported financially by friends and community supporters, so their income is sporadic. For the past ten years, Lah has always had a slight stomachache. She received investigative tests in Burma, but they were inconclusive. She was prescribed oral medication, but it didn’t help. Her stomach pain was more intense around meal times and was accompanied by acid reflux and back pain. In April 2017, the pain intensified. It was sometimes so severe that she felt she couldn’t breathe. She went to a clinic for testing and was diagnosed with a gallstone, which requires surgery. On October 4, Lah will undergo a cholecystectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 to help fund the treatment. Lah says, "I look after women and children in my area. Those I care for are frequently discriminated against, and I am responsible for helping them support themselves and survive discrimination. I regret being unable to support the people who depend on me during my treatment, and I am hopeful that I can return to them soon."

Eric is a nine-year-old student from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and three siblings. When he's not in school, Eric helps his mother with household chores and likes to play with his friends in the neighborhood. Also, as the eldest of four, he is often put in charge of his younger siblings when his parents are not around. Eric has difficulty walking because he was born with bilateral clubfoot. Clubfoot refers to the internal rotation of the feet and can only be corrected surgically. In order to help Eric receive the treatment he needs, our medical partner, International Care Ministries, is requesting $1,500 to fund Eric's surgery, hospital stay, and medication. He is scheduled to undergo clubfeet correction on August 8 at our medical partner's care center, Tebow Cure Hospital. Surgeons will re-align the ligaments and tendons that are affected by his condition. "We are looking for a very good result after the operation," says Rowena, Eric's mother. "Hopefully his both feet will be corrected after the operation and he will live a normal life."

Queen is an 11-month-old baby from Tanzania. She is the first and only child to her mother, who has been raising Queen as a single parent. Queen and her mother live with her grandmother, who is a subsistence farmer and the primary provider for the family. Queen was born healthy, but a few months ago, her head began swelling and she started becoming irritable and losing vision. Concerned, her mother took Queen to a local hospital, where doctors diagnosed Queen with acquired hydrocephalus, a condition where cerebral spinal fluid doesn't properly drain from the brain. If left untreated, hydrocephalus can cause brain damage and even become life-threatening. On July 12, doctors at our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre, will perform an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) surgery on Queen to help drain the cerebral spinal fluid from her brain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to fund the treatment. “Please help my daughter get well," says Queen's mother.

Victoria is a 53-year-old farmer and single mother of two from Kenya. In March, Victoria injured her right leg, and has not been able to walk normally since. She was found to have a fracture in her right femur and surgery was recommended to ensure it heals properly. Victoria is scheduled to undergo fracture repair surgery on July 4. Although she is able to contribute $260 to the cost of her medical bills, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to cover the rest of her expenses. After her recovery, Victoria will be able to resume her daily activities free of pain. “After this surgery, I would like to heal and continue to provide for my children," she says.

Princess is a one-year-old girl from the Philippines who loves playing with her toys. Unfortunately, Princess was born with congenital cleft lip and palate. This makes it difficult for her to swallow food and drinks, making feeding Princess very challenging and uncomfortable. To fix her lip and palate, she will receive surgery from our medical partner's hospital, Bacolod Adventist Medical Center, on May 22. The surgery requires general anesthesia and a short hospital stay, for a total cost of $153. Once Princess receives this surgery, she'll be able to lead a much more comfortable and normal life. Her mother expresses her gratitude, saying, "I am asking for help for my daughter to be operated on so she can have a normal childhood and future. Also, if she is operated on she can eat well and will not be aspirated. Thank you in advance for the help you will give us."

Erick is a one-month-old from rural Guatemala. His father works at a construction site and his mother cares for the family at home. Due to his mother's inability to produce breastmilk, Erick is already suffering from malnourishment. Underweight and small for his age, Erick often cries from hunger. His mother can only afford warm sugar water to soothe him, however this diet has dangerous implications for Erick’s health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation, dehydration, and seizures caused by electrolyte imbalances. Brain development is compromised, and the baby is at risk of long-term damage. In order to help stabilize Erick's condition, our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,162 to fund Erick's formal nutrition treatment. Scheduled to be administered by our medical partner's care center, Clinic Panajachel, on June 9, this treatment entails the distribution of formula, provision of micronutrient supplements, and health education for Erick's mother that will teach her to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her son and monitor his health. Erick's mother says, “I am worried about my son because I do not have maternal milk." With formula and nutritional supplements, Erick's immune system will strengthen, and he will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby.

Kim Su is 18 years old. He has three sisters and four brothers. In his free time, Kim Su likes to play football and sing songs. One year ago, Kim Su developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and cloudy lenses. Kim Su has trouble seeing things clearly, going anywhere on his own, and playing football. When Kim Su learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours to seek treatment. On March 29, doctors will perform a lensectomy and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Kim Su will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs help to fund this $292 procedure.

Cyrus is a three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his parents and siblings in a house made from bamboo. His father works as a motorcycle driver and a laborer. Cyrus has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens his growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, he will begin $184 malnutrition treatment on February 20. Cyrus will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s home-based feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM’s professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Let's help Cyrus get healthy!

Lim Thong is 63 years old and has one son, three daughters, and three grandchildren. He likes to watch the news and boxing on TV and feed his chickens and ducks. Four years ago, Lim Thong developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Lim Thong has trouble working and going anywhere on his own. When Lim Thong learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours to seek treatment. On March 21, doctors will perform a a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Lim Thong will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs help to fund this $292 procedure.