“We have already seen great improvement in our son’s condition,” shares Derrick’s mother. “Derrick has healed from the surgery on his left foot. What we are asking for now is your help in treating his right foot so that he can walk normally one day.” Five-year-old Derrick is a lively and playful boy from Kenya. The third and youngest child in the family, he is only a nursery school pupil, but already loves to read. Derrick was born with genu varus, or bowleggedness, in both limbs. This seriously affects his gait. Although normal in very young children, Derrick’s condition has now persisted long enough that it needs surgical intervention. With Watsi’s help, he successfully underwent [an operation to correct his left leg](https://watsi.org/profile/622139a16f73-derrick), and now needs to undergo the same procedure on his right. Just as they needed financial assistance for his first operation, Derrick’s parents need your help again with this one. His father, a fisherman, is the family’s sole breadwinner, and his income is reliant on the seasons and weather. The family lives in a small grass thatched house. For $1,165 we can sponsor Derrick’s second surgery on January 15. This sum will also cover the costs of his lab tests, medications, and five-day hospital stay. “Thank you for your support,” says Derrick’s mother.

Thu is a 14 year-old boy who lives with his family in Karen State, Burma. The income the family earns from selling chicken and vegetables is hardly enough to feed the whole family. In the last six years, Thu has suffered from a number of abdominal infections. Thu stopped going to school after second grade, partly due to the difficulties of his recurring medical problems. This year, he was finally diagnosed with bladder stones, which require surgical removal. On September 3, surgeons will operate to address his condition. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, requests $1,500 to fund Thu's medical treatment.

Seiyanoi is the oldest child in her Masai family. Her parents are traditional Masai herders who abide by certain traditions, including traditions regarding health and medicine. In the Masai culture, herbal medicines are the most widely used form of medical treatment. In addition to attending school, Seiyanoi assists in household duties as well as herding activities. About one year ago, Seiyanoi was burned when she stepped on hot ash. Her father has treated her burns with herbal medicine, but her injuries never healed properly. She is at risk of developing further complications if she doesn't undergo a skin graft operation. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is sponsoring Seiyanoi's procedure, scheduled for June 13. AMHF is seeking $1,129 to cover her procedure, as well as fourteen nights of hospital stay and additional necessary medical supplies. Seiyanoi's family was able to contribute $103 towards her treatment. Seiyanoi has expressed her desire to continue her education and help her parents around their home. She says, “I want to go back to class like other children in my village."

Ruth is a 14-year-old student who lives in Haiti with her mother, grandmother, and sister. She enjoys going to school and to church, and Ruth would like to study to become a nurse. Ruth suffers from mitral regurgitation, which she contracted from a rheumatic fever several years ago. With this condition, blood leaks backward into the left atrium and could result in heart failure if not treated. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to fund Ruth's air transport to the Cayman Islands, where her treatment is scheduled to take place on July 5. Once there, Ruth will receive the care that she needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. "I am a little scared of my surgery, but I know that God will protect me and make everything go well," says Ruth.

Lwin is a 38-year-old woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and their two children. Lwin looks after her mother and children while her husband works as a day laborer to make a living. Four years ago, Lwin started experiencing chest pain, fatigue, and breathlessness. She was diagnosed with heart disease and told she would need surgery. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund Lwin's surgery, scheduled for July 17. After treatment, Lwin hopes to find a job to help support her family.

Marie is a four-year-old girl from the Philippines. She loves to play with her make-up kit and play hide and seek with her neighbors. Marie was recently diagnosed with malnutrition, a condition that results from consuming too few calories, proteins, and nutrients. Beginning on June 28, Marie will receive at-home malnutrition treatment through our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). ICM will provide Marie with nutrient enriched food packs to help her gain weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. The program will also teach her family about proper nutrition, sanitation, and organic gardening to better care for their daughter. ICM is requesting $173 to cover the cost of Marie's ongoing care. "Someday, I hope my daughter can reach her normal weight so she can live strong and healthy and finish her studies. I dream she will become a teacher someday," her mother says.

Phallin is a 21-year-old woman from Cambodia who works at a hotel. She has three sisters and four brothers. In her free time, she likes to listen to current music and watch movies on TV. Recently, Phallin sustained a fracture of her right clavicle. She sought treatment at a local hospital, and doctors performed an ORIF procedure, which fixates hardware on the bone to heal fractures. However, Phallin continued to experience mild discomfort in her right shoulder, so she came to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Surgeons at CSC will remove the hardware to help Phallin feel comfortable again. The surgery is scheduled for May 16, and CSC is requesting $143 to fund the treatment.

Jane is a 49-year-old woman from the village of Nkanda in Malawi's Central Region. Jane is an independent woman who lives alone and has one adult daughter. Jane has a small farm and a small business making clothes. When not tending her farm or creating clothing, Jane likes to spend time with her daughter, go to church, and watch films. Jane has had gynecological problems for most of her life. In December of last year, her symptoms worsened, and she began experiencing bleeding and pain related to severe fibroids, benign growths in her uterus. To improve the quality of Jane's life and bring her back to health, she requires pelvic surgery. On April 6, surgeons will perform a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, requests $650 to fund Jane's treatment. Jane is ready to have her operation so she can be restored to full health and go back to her active life. To those helping make this operation a reality, she says, "Thank you for your help, donors!"

Edwin is ten months old and has malnutrition. He lives with his parents in rural Guatemala. He loves his teddy bear and toy car, and his favorite foods are mandarin oranges. Edwin is the only child of his doting parents. His father works in agriculture, and his mother takes care of Edwin and their home. In the short term, malnutrition means Edwin has little energy to grow and that his immune system is weak. If Edwin does not receive treatment, he will also face malnutrition’s long-term consequences, such as increased risk of chronic diseases, low IQ, and higher likelihood of dropping out of school. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Edwin recover. On February 16, he will begin treatment with our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq. During the program, community health workers will teach his mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet with limited resources. Wuqu' Kawoq is requesting $437 to fund his treatment. During treatment, Edwin will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children his age, and his immune system will grow stronger with the increased caloric intake. "We are thankful to God for the great blessing we have been given," says his father.

Ny is a 63-year-old married man who has two sons, four daughters, and eight grandchildren. Ny likes to read books and newspapers in his spare time. Four months ago, Ny developed a cataract in each eye, causing him blurred vision, burning, and sensitivity to light. He has difficultly seeing thinks clearly and working. When Ny learned about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, he traveled for three hours to seek treatment. On February 20, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Ny will be able to see clearly again. Now, he needs help to fund this $292 procedure.

Pheak Kdey is a 25-year-old farmer from Cambodia who is married with one son. In his free time, he likes to watch TV, listen to music, and help his wife cook. In March of 2013, Pheak Kdey cut the middle finger on his right hand with a knife. He went to a local hospital for treatment, but doctors only gave him stitches. Since then, he has developed a flexion contracture in his hand, which makes it difficult for him to straighten and bend his middle finger. Pheak Kdey traveled with his mother for over two hours to reach our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), in search of treatment. There, surgeons will perform a tendon repair surgery that will allow Pheak Kdey to use his finger again. He is currently scheduled to undergo this operation on January 16. To pay for the expenses of the surgery, CSC is requesting $450. Pheak Kdey is expected to fully recover and return to his work.

Pyae Phyo is a 36-year-old Burmese man. Until recently, Pyae Phyo worked as a truck driver, transporting grocery goods across the country. Unfortunately, the demanding work schedule was detrimental to his health. In early 2016, Pyae Phyo came down with a bad fever and was taken to his local hospital. He could not undergo a full evaluation due to the high cost of a CT scan. Since then, he has not received treatment, and his symptoms have only grown worse. Fortunately, Pyae Phyo is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on November 28. WIth the results of the scan, his doctors will be able to properly diagnose his condition. Our medical partner is requesting $379 to fund this test.