Barbrah, who is 32 years old, lives with her husband and two children in rural Uganda. Due to the lengthy and untimely illness of her father, Barbrah had to leave school after completing grade seven. When she was 23, she married, and opened up a small business that yields minimal returns. To supplement her income, she also engages in farming, while her husband works in the motorcycle taxi business. Barbrah has a history of difficult pregnancies, including two miscarriages. She is currently expecting another child, and her doctors have recommended that she deliver via a Caesarean section, as this is how she was able to successfully deliver her first two children. Because of the scarring from these two earlier procedures, a C-section is the best way for the doctors to ensure the safety of both Barbrah and the baby. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Barbrah undergo a C-section on August 8th, at Karoli Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibale. This procedure will cost $252, and Barbrah needs your support to raise the required funds. Barbrah says: “I surely believe that I will be able to deliver so well if given your support, because the hospital bill is what I worry about most.”

Hannah is a quiet small-scale businesswoman from Kenya. She is the third born in a family of ten. Hannah has one daughter. Her medical condition has impacted her social life, causing her to separate from her spouse and bear the weight of her problems alone, only feeling comfortable sharing her experiences with a close family member. She sells vegetables at a nearby market to sustain her and her daughter’s needs. Hannah loves her job and does all she can to ensure her daughter’s education and comfort are cared for! For six years, Hannah has been experiencing irregular menstrual cycles, severe lower abdominal pain, and other worrisome symptoms. She has had several miscarriages and was treated for anemia. Over the years, Hannah has been to many hospitals and undergone scans showing fibroids increasing over time. When she visited our medical partner’s care enter, she was already losing blood and was advised to undergo surgery. Hannah’s condition was diagnosed as multiple fibroids with anemia. In order to finally heal, she needs to undergo a hysterectomy, a procedure in which surgeons will remove her uterus. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $755 to fund Hannah’s surgery. On August 16th, she will undergo gynecological surgery at AMH’s care center. Once recovered, Hannah can resume her daily activities free of pain. Hannah shared: “This bleeding is getting out of control, and I feel it may even make me die. I seek help so that through God’s mercy, I will be operated to remove this problem and get back to my normal life. I have to be strong for the sake of my daughter.”

Meet Clerize: a beautiful and bright 4-year-old. She is the 1st born in a family of two and her family hails from a small village in rural Kenya. We met her at our Nyandarua medical camp outreach accompanied by her grandmother. Clerize's grandmother is a farmer while her father, who is separated with his wife, works as a boda boda (motorcycle taxi) driver. Clerize was born healthy however at the age of three, her grandmother noticed an unusual walking style. She stared tiptoeing and would fall every time she tried to walk. For lack of information and because of the distance, they didn’t take her to the hospital. Later their family heard about CURE hospital medical camp in Nyandarua and brought her to be seen by the doctors. The medical team diagnosed Clerize with clubfoot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Clerize's family has now traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on February 26th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Clerize's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk more easily and is looking forward to attending school. “I am pleading for help to help my granddaughter undergo surgery so that she can resume with her normal life and walking,” Clerize's grandmother told us.

Peter is an eight-year-old boy from Kenya. He is outgoing and a bit cheeky. The family of six children relies on their mother’s limited income from peasant farming and their father’s goat slaughtering wage work he gets from time to time. Peter was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Peter has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Peter will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 17th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I want to be a driver when I grow up,” says Peter.

Van is an 80-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She and her husband live in Kampongcham province. She doesn't spend as much time farming as she used to, but she still works hard on her garden of herbs and vegetables. She has one son and three grandchildren. Ten years ago, Van developed a cataract in her left eye, causing her blurry vision and photophobia. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Van learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four hours by taxi seeking treatment. On June 8th, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her left eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $229 procedure. Van said, "I don't want my grandson to spend so much time taking care of me. I want to walk by myself where I want to go, harvest my herbs by myself. I hope the surgery can help me see everything and recognize where I am going."

Kyin is a 69-year-old retired teacher who lives with her 31-year-old son and 39-year-old daughter-in-law in Yangon, Burma. As a retired teacher since 2010, Kyin receives 140,000 kyat (approx. 140 USD) per month as part of her pension. She now volunteers as a teacher at a monastic school. Both her son and daughter-in-law work for a company. Kyin has another son who was paralysed in a workplace accident. He used to live with Kyin, but when her health deteriorated and she could no longer care for him, he was moved to a social care centre in Yangon. One day, in March 2016, Kyin was teaching at the monastic school, when suddenly she fainted. A medical emergency team then attended to her. When she felt better, a doctor told her that she might have a heart condition and advised her to see a heart specialist. One month after the incident, she went to a cardiologist at North Okkalapa General Hospital. There, she received an X-ray and an echocardiogram (echo). After checking her results, the doctor told her that she has a heart problem and that she can die if she does not receive appropriate treatment. The doctor prescribed her medication for her heart and told her that she will need to receive surgery if her health deteriorates. Six months ago, when Kyin received another echo and the doctor told her that she needs to receive surgery right away. However, her family could not afford to pay for her surgery. Therefore, the doctor said that he would help find them an organization that could help with paying for her surgery and medication. Currently, Kyin is unable to sleep well at night on her back and she needs to sleep propped up. She often feels tired and has shortness of breath.

Christina is a young child from Tanzania. She is the youngest in a family of three children. Unfortunately, Christina's father passed way. This left Christina's mother with three children to support without a job. She started a small business of cooking food in local hotel to support her children. Christina was diagnosed with genu varus. Her legs are bent outwards at the knees. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she experiences discomfort after walking for a short distance. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Christina. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 10. Treatment will hopefully restore Christina's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Christian’s mother says, “ Please help my daughter. My financial state is not good; I am unable to afford the surgery cost.”

Jackyto is a six-year-old boy from southern Haiti. He is in the first grade and likes going to school and drawing. Jackyto has four siblings and his parents are farmers. Jackyto was born with a heart condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This means he has a hole between two chambers of his heart and a muscular blockage in one of the heart's valves. As a result, not enough oxygen is delivered to his body, leaving him sick and weak. Although Watsi has already funded Jackyto's [transportation](https://watsi.org/profile/e95b7420cae8-jackyto) to the hospital for his surgery, he is still in need of $1,500 to cover exams, heart surgery prep, and medications. Have a Heart Cayman is also contributing $22,000 to the costs of his heart surgery. "I am so thankful Jackyto will be able to travel for his surgery!" says Jackyto’s mother.

Mai is a 66-year-old rice and crop farmer from Cambodia. He is married with three sons, five daughters, and ten grandchildren. In his spare time, Mai likes to listen to the monks pray on the radio and watch concerts and music programs on TV. About four years ago, Mai developed cataracts in both eyes. He has experienced blurred vision, cloudy lenses, tearing, and irritation. This makes it difficult for Mai to see things clearly, recognize faces, work, and to be independent. Mai's daughter learned about Watsi and our medical partner in Cambodia, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). They traveled for two and a half hours together to reach the care center. CSC physicians recommend procedures to break up and remove the cataracts and place tiny, artificial lenses in each eye to improve Mai's vision. They are seeking $398 to fund his care. After treatment, Mai will be able to see clearly, regain his independence, and experience higher quality of life.

Monicah is a 52-year-old woman from Kenya. She lives on a small farm with her husband and three children. In her free time, she likes to read the Bible. In late 2015, Monicah began to experience abnormal uterine bleeding. She was treated with antibiotics at a local clinic, which improved her symptoms for some time. In late 2016, she was referred to our medical partner's care center, AIC Kapsowar Hospital. Medical staff diagnosed her with excessive uterine bleeding and recommended a total abdominal hysterectomy. As a result of her condition, Monicah's ability to work is highly limited. This means that their family has difficulty making ends meet. Monicah is looking forward to being able to better provide for her children after surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $630 to cover the cost of the operation. Monicah is scheduled for treatment on March 28. She is expected to make a full recovery.

Since her birth two months ago, Melany has been growing too slowly. Her mother has been unable to produce sufficient breast milk to nourish Melany. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration, as well as provoke electrolyte imbalances that can cause seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time can also be compromised, putting Melany at risk of long-term damage. To stabilize her condition, Melany was given a preliminary supply of formula. This will last until the nutritionist at our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, can create a nutritional plan and formally begin treatment. Melany lives with her parents and three siblings in rural Guatemala. Her father works driving cars and trucks, and her mother takes care of the home. Her parents do not have the financial resources to pay for the baby formula that Melany needs. Her family’s limited resources put treatment for Melany outside of economic reach. Watsi is asking for $1,107 to fund Melany's treatment, which will begin on January 30. Your donation will help supply Melany's mother with baby formula and health education, which will ensure Melany receives the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Melany’s mother will teach her the signs of malnutrition and other illnesses, as well as how to create a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Melany. Melany’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby. "We want Melany to become a nurse," say Melany's parents, "so that she can help others just as she is being helped."

Olivier is a three-year-old boy from Haiti. He lives with his mother, father, grandparents, and three older siblings. He likes to dress up and to go to church with his mother. Olivier was born with a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot, which means there is a hole between two chambers of his heart and a muscular blockage of one of his heart valves. This condition prevents oxygen from fully circulating through his body, leaving him weak and short of breath. Olivier will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 27, he will undergo cardiac surgery. This $12,000 surgery is subsidized by Have a Heart Cayman Islands. Olivier'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 Olivier's family overseas. His mother says, "We have been praying ever since we learned about Olivier's heart problem that one day he could have surgery. We would like to thank everyone who has helped answer our prayers!"