Joseph is a two-month-old baby from Kenya. His mother is a high school student. She has no source of income and lives with a relative. Joseph has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Joseph has been experiencing an increased head circumference. Without treatment, Joseph will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Joseph that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 26 and will drain the excess fluid from Joseph's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Joseph will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. "I would like to go back to school in 2020 when Joseph is a bit older and healthy," shares Joseph’s mother.

Dorcus is a 28-year-old mother from rural Uganda. She has four children, three of whom attend a local primary school. Her youngest child is eight months old. Dorcus and her husband, Moses, are subsistence farmers. They grow cassava, beans, maize, and cotton. They use their income to pay for their children's education, food, and health care. In 2007, after delivering her first baby, Dorcus developed an uncomfortable condition in a sensitive area. She visited a local hospital but did not receive any treatment. Over the years, she gave birth to three more children. For the last eight months, however, she has been in too much pain to work. On market days, Dorcus used to sell pancakes made from bananas and cassava flour for extra income. However, the pain from her condition has prevented her from working. She also struggles to lift and carry her baby. Fortunately, Dorcus received care through Watsi's medical partner in Uganda, The Kellermann Foundation. On October 24, she underwent a hysterectomy, during which doctors removed her uterus. Now, we can help to fund this $321 procedure. After a successful surgery, Dorcus will no longer experience pain and discomfort. She hopes to continue farming and selling pancakes during market days. She also hopes to use her savings to buy a tailoring machine. "I am so grateful that Watsi can help us and I can have this operation," says Dorcus. "When I get better, I will be able to work and support my family again."

Joseph's parents left the hospital with a healthy baby boy, but one day later he developed a fever. Joseph was admitted to a local hospital where he was treated and sent home. His parents said, “we thought it was over,” but Joseph's condition worsened. Two months later, Joseph began crying frequently and felt very cold. His head was abnormally large and his parents became worried so they brought him back to the hospital where he was diagnosed with congenital hydrocephalus. This condition causes fluid to build up in the skull and put pressure on the brain which can result in brain damage, seizures, vision loss, nausea, and even premature death. It became clear that Joseph urgently needed specialized treatment to drain the fluid in his head, but his parents could not afford the cost of his surgery. Joseph’s mother is a housewife and his father is a construction site worker. He earns a meager income that is just sufficient to support his family's basic needs. With $615, Joseph will receive the surgical shunt to drain the excessive fluid from his skull. This will alleviate his symptoms and prevent further complications. Joseph's mother says, "we have been through a lot and I am glad to have found a place my son can get the treatment he so requires. Hearing of Watsi was more than a miracle to us and we are happy that despite not being able to raise the entire funds, Watsi can come in for us at some point and for this we are grateful."

It was a usual workday for Naku, a 28-year-old truck driver who lives in Nepal. He was transporting a truck load of sand from the river to the construction site. With two people sitting in the back, Naku drove off a bridge once he felt a sudden loss of control over the truck. The steering wheel had failed and, in a matter of seconds, one of the people on board had lost his life, one had become unconscious and Naku was lying on the bride with an open fracture. Naku had taken up this job, which was far from home, after his wife, and the mother of their three children, died. He is worried about his injury and is concerned about how long the treatment may take and if it will hinder his mobility. "I feel overwhelmed," shares Naku. "I am extremely lucky to have survived this accident."

Mobimba is the oldest in a family of seven children from Tanzania. He was born in 2001, and is 15 years old. Mobimba has severe bilateral clubfoot -- he is walking by using the lateral aspect of his feet, and he is unable to wear shoes. His condition has severely affected his gait. Due to the condition of his feet, Mobimba has not been able to go to school like his siblings. The school is too far away and when he walks for a long time, he feels pain on his legs. Despite his condition, Mobimba enjoys playing soccer. He also herds a few of his father’s goats. Mobimba’s parents are small scale farmers, and they also keep a few goats. With a large family to look after, children to take to school; coming up with the funds to cover the cost of Mobimba’s operation has been difficult. $1160 will fund the treatment Mobimba needs, including surgery, casting, and long-term rehabilitation. Treatment will allow him to return to school, and walk normally for the first time. “I will be happy to go to school like my friends,” Mobimba said.