Ahmed is a one-month-old boy from Kenya. He was born with an open mass on his back. His parents learned that he had spina bifida, a spinal defect. Without treatment, he risked infection or development of tethered cord syndrome. Ahmed was immediately referred to a specialist at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital. On December 8, he underwent a spina bifida closure procedure. Ahmed's family lives in the northeastern region of Kenya. His mother is a housewife, and his father is a long-distance driver. They cannot afford to pay their son's medical bill. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,097 to fund this procedure. “In life, we go through some difficult experiences," says Ahmed's mother. "They are hard for people to experience, and I think we just have this tendency to want to put our heads down and close our eyes. When you do that, there’s so much that you can miss. What you can miss is the fact that people are better than you ever thought they would be, and that people are so kind and so generous. I have faith that we will get help from Watsi, and I appreciate their willingness to help. I am looking forward to a healthier Ahmed."

Leydi is a 6-month-old girl from Guatemala. Previously, Watsi donors funded her formula supplementation when her mother could not produce breastmilk. Unfortunately, now that she is older, her family cannot afford to give her a nutritious diet filled with protein, calories, and nutrients. She has not been gaining weight or growing, and she is underweight for her age. Leydi has been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She has little energy to grow, and her immune system is weak and vulnerable to illness. She is also at risk of chronic disease and delayed development. Fortunately, she began malnutrition treatment on November 24, 2016. Leydi lives with her family in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. They own a small plot of land, on which they cultivate broccoli, green beans, and peas. Her father works tending the land, while her mother cooks, cleans, and takes care of Leydi. Even though they want the best for their daughter, they cannot afford this $512 treatment. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Growth monitoring, micronutrients, and food supplementation will help Leydi recover. She will gain weight and grow taller to catch up with other children her age, and her immune system will grow stronger. Community health workers will teach her mother about creating a nutrient-rich diet from limited resources. Treatment will give Leydi a chance to grow healthy and strong.

Emmarie is an 18-year-old college student who is studying criminology. Her dream is to protect and maintain peace in her country. She believes that serving the country is not only "a man's job," but a "responsibility of all citizens." Watsi's medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), describes her as "a woman of courage." Last September, Emmarie began to experience abdominal pain and swelling. For this reason, she began to have difficulty at school, eventually deciding to postpone her education. After undergoing diagnostic testing, Emmarie learned that she had a cyst on her ovary. Without treatment, Emmarie was at risk of the cyst bursting. Fortunately, on December 21, she underwent an ovarian cystectomy to remove the cyst. Emmarie's father works as a driver to provide for the family. He cannot afford this treatment, so ICM is requesting $890 in funding. After recovery, Emmarie plans to continue her education and training to become a policewoman. "When I learned about my condition, I felt downcast," says Emmarie. "I stopped schooling because of the pain I felt, especially during field training...I knew my parents could not afford to pay for treatment." She continues, "I was grateful to learn that I could be helped through your organization, and donors could sponsor my surgery. I give my heartfelt thanks to you in advance. Hopefully, after this surgery, I will live a normal life and return to school."

"Neema would like to be a nurse when she grows up," says her mother. "She already plays and pretends that she is one, looking after her family and friends." Neema is a five-year-old girl from Tanzania who is the second and last born to her parents. She has started kindergarten in the local village but has poor attendance due to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, which often make her feel sick and fatigued. Neema also has problems eating and sleeping properly due to the swelling, although she is still a happy girl who likes to play with her peers. Neema's parents get by on the income they receive from a small farm that they have. Her father looks after the farm and her mother is a housewife, and the family's income is not enough to obtain treatment for their daughter's enlarged adenoids. For $488, doctors will perform an adenoidectomy to surgically remove Neema's adenoids, eliminating the pain and sickness that they currently cause her. It is expected that with this corrective surgery, Neema will heal fully and be able to grow better and be a healthier child overall.

Meet Sao, a five-year-old girl who is currently attending primary school. The youngest in the family, Sao has two sisters and two brothers. She enjoys playing with dolls and with her friends at school. Sao was born with syndactyly of both hands, a congenital malformation that leaves her fingers on each hand webbed together. Because her fingers are partially united by skin, it is difficult for her to hold or carry objects. Sao traveled four hours with her father to reach Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC) in hopes of receiving treatment. $321 in funding can cover all surgical costs as surgeons at CSC perform a syndactyly release surgery on each hand. With carefully placed incisions, the surgeons will separate the connected fingers and improve the overall functionality of her hands. Our support will go a long way to helping young Sao become healthier and stronger.

Four-year-old Murungi presented with left scrotal swelling associated with on and off pain. Our medical partner in Uganda, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), diagnosed Murungi with congenital left hydrocele, a condition causing genital pain and swelling. “At the age of one year, Murungi’s mother noticed his left scrotal was swollen,” AMHF says. “She took him to a health center where she was told it was a hydrocele and advised to take the child to hospital for surgery. She couldn’t afford taking him to hospital because she is a primary school teacher and earns little money, which is mostly spent on house rent and feeding.” Murungi is a bright young boy, and AMHF tells us he really enjoys school. He is currently learning to sing a song in school called “Come and hear the use of education.” For $215, Murungi’s condition will be treated and he will return to school without pain or discomfort. His mother is thrilled that he was presented with the opportunity to receive care free of charge. “Thank you in advance for the treatment you are going to give to my son,” she says.

“Two years ago, Vutheang developed a pterygium in his right eye,” says our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). A pterygium, also known as “surfer’s eye,” is a soft tissue growth over the white part of the eye. CSC explains that Vutheang’s condition “causes him blurred vision, itchiness, tearing, and he is afraid of sunshine. It is hard for him to see everything clear, do work well, or go anywhere outside.” After learning about the possibility of treatment, the 42-year-old father of five and his wife traveled five hours to reach CSC’s clinic. For $150, Vutheang will receive a pterygium excision surgery. CSC explains, “The pterygium will be removed from his right eye and the burning and pain will be released. He will be able to see clearer and not tear.” With improved vision and comfort, Vutheang can return to enjoying his hobbies of fishing and watching soccer on TV. Following his recovery, Vutheang shares that he hopes to go back to his work in the army to be able to support his family.