Meet Lulu, a quiet, teenage girl from Tanzania. The 16-year-old has been living with her grandparents since infancy, but her aunt also plays an active role in her life. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us “Lulu has been noticing the size of her left breast increasing more than her right breast. She also feels there is a lump which is increasing in size and she sometimes feels pain.” AMHF will remove the lump through mass excision surgery. After the lump is removed, “biopsy results will determine whether further treatment will be needed or Lulu will be out of danger of developing cancerous lump.” The total cost of treatment is $920. For this amount, Lulu will receive the procedure, pain management in the hospital during her six day stay, and diagnostic testing. She will also be able to recuperate at a physical rehabilitation center post-surgery. Lulu's family does not make enough money to cover the cost of her surgery. Lulu has already had to pause her education because of finances, and the cost of treatment is too great of a financial burden for her grandparents. “When I get well, I wish to get an opportunity to go back to school,” shares Lulu. Before leaving school, she developed a passion for drawing. “I am very interested in fashion design,” she adds.

40-year-old Taw is a farmer who lives with her husband, son, and four daughters in Burma. Her family practices swidden agriculture—a rotational farming method in which different plots of land are cleared for cultivation each year—to grow rice, green beans, and cucumbers to feed themselves. Taw spent several months away from her husband and children while receiving treatment for choriocarcinoma, a cancer of the uterus that occurs during pregnancy. The fast-growing cancer cells develop within the tissue that becomes the placenta. Costs associated with Taw’s previous medical care have left the family with a large amount of debt. With no income from the farm and no external sources of financial support, they have no means of paying for additional treatment for Taw or even education fees or clothes for the children. In addition, the shifting of roles within the family has decreased productivity on the farm and puts them at risk of not producing enough food to feed themselves. “Taw’s current symptoms include gripping abdominal pain and tight muscle spasms in her lower back that force her to lie down,” our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), tells us. “She experiences ongoing bleeding, has spells of dizziness and headaches, and is easily fatigued.” “Taw has been unable to work, and her husband has taken time off to care for her and their sick daughter,” BBP continues. “This has forced their 14-year-old daughter to drop out of school and to take up considerable responsibility to support the family.” For $1500, Taw will undergo a hysterectomy to remove her uterus. Funding also covers the costs of pre- and post-surgical consultations, seven days of hospital care, and transportation to and from the hospital. “It is hoped that surgery will improve the health condition and comfort of Taw so that she can return to her family,” says BBP. “When I recover, I will work hard to provide for my children," Taw shares.

Meet Esther, a 46-year-old mother of four from Kenya. A year ago, Esther noticed increasing pain accompanied by irregular and heavy menses. "Esther was diagnosed with early cancer of the cervix," reports our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Esther is married and they have four children. Both Esther and her husband are farmers. Only their first born who could not make it to college after school works as a waiter in a hotel," continues AMHF. "The income for this family is inadequate to cover the cost of treatment." Ester needs a total abdominal hysterectomy - a surgical procedure that removes both the uterus and the cervix through an incision in the lower abdomen. "If not treated, the cancer may advance and spread to other organs," says AMHF. With a donation of $790, Esther can receive the surgery that she needs. She shares, “My dream is to start my own small business of selling old clothes. I pray for Watsi assistance and a successful surgery."

"I am hoping that I will be able to have surgery, so that I can run and play soccer like my friends," Jean Wilson tells our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). Jean Wilson is a studious 16-year-old who was born with tetralogy of fallot, a heart condition that causes a hole to form between two chambers of the heart and a muscular blockage to form over one of the valves. As a result, Jean Wilson is chronically short of breath and his body is not able to absorb oxygen as easily as it could if his heart were healthy. "Because he has lived so long with this condition, there is a chance it may no longer be repairable, but the only way to determine this is by inserting a catheter into the chambers of his heart," HCA says. "Since this is not possible in Haiti, arrangements are being made to bring him to the Dominican Republic to perform this extremely important test in the hopes that he can have heart surgery later in the year." For $1500, Jean Wilson will be transported to the Dominican Republic for the catheterization procedure that will determine the operability of his congenital heart defect. If Jean Wilson is a good candidate for surgery, he will then undergo the operation so that he can regain his health and fulfill his dreams of becoming an engineer.

Gustavo is a three-year-old boy who lives in Guatemala with his parents and older brother. He enjoys playing soccer with his brother, watching dogs play in his front yard, and crawling after the chickens that roam through his home. “Gustavo has epilepsy and, as a result, has had convulsions regularly since he was barely one-year-old,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, tells us. “He is not on medication and his mother is currently afraid to leave the house with him because she fears he will have a convulsion in public. There is no way that Gustavo’s family can afford the medication, physician visits, and labs he needs to keep his convulsions under control.” “Without intervention, he will continue to have regular seizures which will affects his ability to physically grow and mentally develop,” Wuqu’ Kawoq continues. “It is common to see children with epilepsy not seek an education out of fear of having a seizure in front of their classmates and out of the safety of their parent’s watchful eyes.” $745 will fund medication and regular counseling for Gustavo to treat and manage his convulsions. “He will undergo a lab work-up to rule out any other possible conditions he may have,” says Wuqu’ Kawoq. “Best of all, Gustavo will have access to a more full life. His mother will not have to live in fear of her child having a seizure and, as a result, Gustavo will be freer to play with other kids, eventually attend school, and just be a kid.” “I just want my son to grow well and go to school to become a professional, perhaps a doctor,” shares Gustavo’s mother.

Eight-year-old Chambi lives in Tanzania with her family. She is a previous Watsi patient who received skin grafting surgery in 2014 after severe burns from boiling water. However, she has since developed another wound on the same leg. “Chambi was brought back to the Plaster House (a Watsi partner facility) with an open wound on the same leg, which is preventing her from walking properly and participating in activities” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Chambi needs skin grafting to be done again so that the wound can heal and prevent a serious skin infection from occurring. Her parents’ financial situation is still not good enough to afford the cost of operation.” $780 will cover the cost of Chambi’s skin graft, which will allow her the opportunity to return to school.

"As Miriam continues to grow, so does the cyst on her left mandible," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Four-year-old Miriam is a "cute, four-year-old girl. She is the second born in a family of three children. She likes to play with dolls and running around with other children," AMHF shares. The cyst in Miriam's mouth started to be noticeable when she was two months old, and it keeps increasing in size with time. Miriam’s parents are worried what will happen if the cyst will continue to grow. They are small scale farmers, relying on growing and selling maize, beans and some vegetables. With three children going to school, it has been difficult to raise enough cash to cover the cost of operation which Miriam needs. $920 will fund the mass excision surgery Miriam needs. "If not treated, the cyst will continue to get bigger and that will lead to a bigger cosmetic and functional deformity and a larger reconstructive challenge," AMHF adds. "Furthermore, Miriam will lose her teeth and thus affecting her nutrition." Let's help Miriam get healthy, and grow up without pain.

Meet Phon, a 70-year-old woman from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us, “Phon is married with a son and three grandchildren. Phon spends most of her days doing house work and listening to monks praying.” CSC shares, “Phon has had cataracts in her eye for almost five years.” A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye becomes clouded with age. This can cause a gradual loss of vision and eventual blindness. At this point, Phon can't see faces clearly and has a difficult time doing regular tasks. Lately, she has been unable to go to the pagoda. For $150 Phon’s clouded lens will be removed and replaced with a clear lens implant, a procedure that will restore her vision. CSC adds, “after surgery, Phon is excited to clearly see faces again, help her son work on the farm and go to the pagoda with no problems.”

Meet Ernst, a 13-year old boy from Haiti. Ernst lives in the mountains of Haiti with his mother, father, and three sisters. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares: “His parents are both small farmers, and he likes to help on the farm and take care of the animals.” Ernst was diagnosed with congenital heart disease at birth. He loves school, but sometimes he must miss classes because his illness makes the one-hour walk to school extremely difficult. “Ernst was born with a cardiac condition called tetralogy of fallot (TOF).” Those with TOF have four structural cardiac abnormalities, which collectively alter the heart’s normal flow of blood, preventing blood and oxygen from adequately circulating through the body. This abnormal blood flow can lead to serious health complications, including death. $1,500 will help Ernst travel to receive cardiac surgery overseas. After his surgery, Ernst will receive two months of post-operative care. $10,000 of the total treatment cost has already been subsidized by Health City Cayman Islands. “Following surgical repair of his heart defect, Ernst should be able to lead a normal life with no further symptoms from this condition,” HCA tells us. Ernst shares, “I am excited to have my heart fixed so that I can walk to school and play soccer with my friends!”

Meet Deneus, an eight-month-old baby boy from Haiti. His parents are small farmers in the Haitian countryside: his father works in the fields while his mother sells beans and corn in the streets. “Deneus was very little when he was born – malnourished and very skinny,” reports our medical partner, Project Medishare. “He spent three months in the hospital receiving care to gain weight.” It wasn’t until Deneus hit four months of age, however, that his head “started swelling and getting large,” causing him to vomit and experience pain. A CT scan revealed that Deneus has hydrocephalus – a condition where cerebrospinal fluid pathways in the brain become blocked, causing increased pressure. If left untreated, hydrocephalus could cause Deneus permanent mental dysfunction, loss of mobility and premature death. $1,260 will fund treatment for his hydrocephalus -- a shunt placement to drain the fluid, a five-day hospital stay, and the anesthesia and post-operation medication necessary for a successful surgery. The procedure will drain Deneus’ brain of excess fluid so that he will be able to grow up healthy and enjoy his childhood. Let’s help make this surgery happen for Deneus!

"I know my parents have been very worried because they know that our family is not in a position to pay for the treatment I need," shares Joyce. "They are also scared of what the outcome of the surgery will be. I am very grateful to Watsi for making it possible for me to be treated." 16-year-old Joyce lives in Kenya with her parents and four other siblings. For the past three months, Joyce has been experiencing blurred vision, headaches, and a lack of stability when walking. She was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. "Joyce is unable to attend classes because of severe headache and general drowsiness caused by the tumor in her brain," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Her performance in school has drastically declined, making her teachers and parents concerned. Joyce loves school and hopes to get well soon so that she can go back to school." For $1260, we can fund a craniotomy to remove Joyce's tumor. AMHF expects that Joyce will make a full recovery, and be able to return to school. She will be able to live without any of her current symptoms. "All Joyce's parents wish for is for their daughter to be heathy again. They are deeply saddened that they have not been able to raise the funds necessary for Joyce's treatment," says AMHF. Joyce has big dreams for when she's able to get back to school. "I want to become a surgeon when I grow up. I love Science and Mathematics," she tells us.

Meet Salma, a one-year old girl from Tanzania. Salma is her mother’s only child. Her father left the family when he saw that Salma has a disability. Salma has an imperforate anus, which means that the opening of her anus is blocked. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports: “Salma is currently passing stool through her vagina. To develop as a girl, teenager and a woman she needs to have this defect corrected.” For $1500, AMHF can perform a 3-stage surgery to fix Salma's condition. The surgery will allow Salma to pass stool normally, and develop without complications. “This treatment will give me the chance to improve our lives," shares Salma's mother.