Meet Yesiraw, a 11-year-old boy from Ethiopia. "Yesiraw was born with a congenital anomaly in which his bladder is exposed and outside his body," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains. Bladder exstrophy presents at birth, and has led Yesiraw to experience pain from irritation of the bladder and leakage. Because his bladder is exposed, he risks infection and further injury. As a result of his condition, Yesiraw has not been able to attend school and partake in many activities. With a small income and a large family to support, Yesiraw's father is not able to pay for the treatment of his son's condition. He tells us that "all Yesiraw wants to do is go to school by any means possible." The treatment for bladder exstrophy is surgery. $1,500 will cover Yesiraw's surgery, medication, lab tests, and hospital stay. "We expect that after the surgery and recovery, Yesiraw will be able to join school," AMHF informs us. "He will no longer have leakage or be at risk of direct bladder injury."

Two-month-old Maritu lives with her family in Ethiopia. She was born with no anal opening—a condition known as anorectal malformation. Due to this, she is unable to pass stool normally. “Maritu presented with partial bowel obstruction at the age of one week,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains. “A colostomy was performed urgently. Maritu has recovered both from the surgery and the obstructive symptoms but still has a colostomy and an imperforate anus. Now, she needs a definitive surgery for the correction of her anomaly.” Maritu’s father works as a farmer to provide for his six children, but he does not earn enough money to pay for the surgery that Maritu needs. For $1,500, Maritu will undergo an anorectoplasty to create a new anal opening so that she can pass stool normally. AMHF tells us that after surgery, “Maritu is expected to live a normal life.” Maritu’s father hopes that one day his daughter will be well enough to go to school.

Meet 19-year-old Lay. Originally from Burma, Lay now resides in Thailand and works as a waiter. He lives with his father, a construction worker, and his mother, a homemaker. Lay's favorite sport is football. Referred to our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), from the Mae Tao Clinic in Thailand, Lay has been diagnosed with a heart condition known as a ventricular-septal defect. This congenital heart defect results in a hole in the wall separating the two lower chambers of the heart. As a result of Lay's condition, BBP reports, "he feels tired and has heart palpitations. He sweats a lot while he runs and plays football or caries something heavy." $1,500 will fund a complex cardiac surgery to correct the ventricular-septal defect in Lay's heart. "After surgery, Lay should be able to go back to his work and generate money for his family," BBP explains. "He should not feel tired nor have heart palpitations. He should not have fatigue when he plays and runs or carries heavy things." "I am really worried for my son’s condition after I heard the news from the doctor," Lay's mother adds. "I have only one son and one daughter so I do not want to see his condition get worse – I am afraid to lose him. I hope he will recover and I want him to stay with me in the future." "I want to recover and work again to support my family," Lay tells BBP

“Florence is the last-born in a family of five children,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). The four-month-old baby girl lives in Kenya with her mother and siblings in a single mud-walled house. Due to hydrocephalus, Florence’s head began to increase one month after she was born. This congenital neurological condition causes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain--making the head swell. “[Hydrocephalus] leads to blockage of the return-flow channels, chronic headaches and irritability. If not treated, accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid may cause brain damage,” AMHF tells us. A single parent, Florence’s mother works on a local farm to support her children. However, her income alone is not enough to cover the cost of Florence’s surgical needs. For $980, a shunt will be inserted into Florence's head to remove the excess fluid. AMHF explains that this procedure will help stabilize intracranial pressure and prevent Florence from having long-term health issues. “It has been hectic for me and at times I feel like giving up but the urge to give my children the best keeps me moving,” Florence’s mother shares. “I really hope that Florence will get treatment.”

James, a seven-year-old boy from Kenya, is the youngest of five siblings and loves football. His mother is a farmer and his father works on construction sites to support their family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that James was born with a small anal opening and had a colostomy done right after he was born. Recently he had a pull-through procedure to reposition his anus and minimize damage to surrounding structures. However, he needs one final surgery to ensure he heals properly. Currently James undergoes anal dilation to prevent scar tissue from closing the newly created anus. His final surgery will be a colostomy closure, and the treatment cost is $1260. AMHF tells us: "He suffers stomach upsets. James is at risk of suffering constipation and bowel perforation because of inability to pass stool normally. Due to the nature of his condition, James has not been enrolled in a learning institution." "James is a brilliant child. I can’t wait to see him attend school. He is my joy and I hope he gets treated," James' mother exclaims.

Meet Sayda, a one-year-old girl from Guatemala. “Sayda is cared for by her mother and two older brothers,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “When Sayda feels her best, she loves to play with a baby doll given to her by a neighbor. Currently, however, her mom reports that she has been too tired to play.” Sayda is experiencing the effects of acute malnutrition. “She suffers from a cough, fever, and diarrhea and has been losing weight as a result,” WK reports. “Sayda’s immune system is weak and she has decreased energy.” Malnutrition can cause long-term damage if it goes untreated. “Over time Sayda's mental and physical development will be permanently stunted, thus leading to developmental delays and preventing her from reaching her full potential,” WK explains. “Limited brain development and chronic illness will limit her ability to concentrate and succeed in school. Without intervention, in the long term she will have an increased risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as decreased economic success.” $535 will help Sayda’s family get her health back on track. With this funding, Sayda will receive nutritional supplementation, medication, and growth monitoring to ensure that she is meeting her nutritional needs. These measures will help Sayda reach a healthy height and weight for her age, boost her energy, and bolster her immune system. She will thus be at a lower risk of developing the medical problems she has recently been fighting—such as cough, fever, and diarrhea. Sayda’s mother will also receive nutritional education to equip her with the skills and knowledge to make healthy choices for the family. This will help Sayda and her siblings maintain their health in the future. “I’m worried because she has more problems growing than the boys did,” shares Sayda’s mother. “I want her to study when she gets older, find a job and build a better way of life.” With our support, Sayda’s health will improve and her mother will be able to watch her baby begin to thrive.

“My family is very young and depends fully on me. I really hope Watsi will help me to be treated so that I can regain my mobility and support my family,” says George, a 31-year-old husband and father of three from Kenya. George was recently injured while playing football in his village. “As he was playing, he was hit by a teammate and got an open fracture of the fibula of his right leg,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). George was taken to a nearby hospital where the broken skin on his leg was stitched, but he could not afford the surgery he needed — an open reduction and internal fixation, or ORIF — to reposition and set the broken bone. AMHF tells us, “George is experiencing pain and difficulty in using his right leg.” Without treatment, AMHF adds, “George may be unable to use his leg, the pain will continue, and it may lead to complications like delayed healing.” $1,125 in funding covers the cost of surgery for George, as well as a 2-week hospital stay, and 10 physiotherapy sessions to aid in his recovery. AMHF explains, “We expect that after an ORIF, the bones will unite. George will be able to work and support his young family.” George adds, “I also wish to get back to playing football, which is my hobby.”

“I would like to go to school like my brothers and sisters,” says Yusuph, a nine-year old boy from Tanzania. Ever since he was young, Yusuph has been a spunky and spirited child. Watsi’s medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that as a younger boy, Yusuph simply “did not stay put” and would explore “every little path that allowed his tiny body to pass through.” However, a recent accident left Yusuph with severe burns on his left arm, and he is no longer able to participate in activities like he used to. "One afternoon, Yusuph decided to stop playing and walked right into the outside kitchen where there was an open fire," AMHF shares. "Food was cooking in a pot.” When no one was looking, he reached up to grab the wooden ladle by the stove. However, “as he went to pick up a wooden serving spoon, his cloak caught fire and he couldn’t take it off.” Unable to put the fire out himself, Yusuph cried out for help. Upon hearing his cries, his aunt rushed to his aid but everything had happened so quickly that Yusuph had already received severe burns on his left arm. Yusuph sustained severe injuries from the accident, and “is now unable to use his left arm due to severe contracture of the elbow and wrist,” reports AMHF. With $550, Yusuph will receive contracture release surgery. The cost of treatment includes six-weeks of medical care and a stay at the Plaster House, a surgical rehabilitation center. The surgical procedure will ultimately restore Yusuph’s mobility, granting him a fully functional left arm. Despite his injury, Yusuph has remained playful and positive. AMHF tells us,“he still helps his parents who are small scale farmers herd a few cattle. Yusuph also enjoys playing soccer and building houses and creating different shapes out of sticks.” Yusuph is eager to return to school and enjoy a more active lifestyle.

“The news I received that I have cancer has made me very sad,” Lydia shares. “All I can hope for is to rid the cancer out of my body. I would love to see my twins grow up.” This is Lydia, a 29-year-old single mother of twins from Kenya. Lydia lives with her mother, and they rely on income from vending french fries in the slum. This income is barely enough to sustain their household needs. “Lydia has been experiencing bleeding and lower abdominal pain,” her doctor at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tells us. “Lydia has had this condition since the beginning of this year. Lydia went to a hospital where the doctor recommended that she be screened for cervical cancer. The visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) test was done and it turned positive and a pap smear confirmed the diagnosis. The doctor advised Lydia to have a total abdominal hysterectomy (TAH) to avoid cancer spreading.” “If Lydia is not treated, the cancer may spread to other organs of the body, complicating the condition and reducing the chances of successful treatment,” AMHF continues. “Lydia is not in a position to cover the cost of this life saving surgery.” For $790, we can ensure Lydia receives the TAH procedure she needs. “We expect after a TAH, the cancer spread will be halted," AMHF explains. "Lydia will be well again. She will be able to work and take care of her children."

“I have been very nervous about this surgery ever since I learned I would have it,” shares 12-year-old Cedric. “I am glad it will be done soon so I can stop worrying!” Cedric was born with a heart condition called atrial septal defect. He has a hole between the upper two chambers of his heart. “Blood passes through this hole and back to the body without first obtaining oxygen," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This leaves him constantly short of breath and unable to exert himself. If untreated, this condition could become fatal.” "Cedric lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and twin five-year-old brothers," continues HCA. "He is a survivor of the 2010 earthquake, and was in a building that partially collapsed but he exited safely. He likes playing video games, and enjoys soccer when he has the energy to play." For $1,500, we can help Cedric travel overseas to a hospital with cardiac specialists who can perform surgery to repair the hole in his heart. Following the closure of the hole between his atria, Cedric’s heart should engage in normal blood flow. He will have full relief from his symptoms.

"When I had the accident, I was very afraid that I would never walk again. I thank God that I can now walk with crutches and I know that one day I will walk on my own again," says a very optimistic Beatrice, who was recently hit by a car that lost control and drove into a nearby shopping center. 36-year-old Beatrice is married and has three children. She runs her own business in Kenya, buying beans from farmers and selling them at the market. Beatrice’s business does quite well, and she was even able to purchase a few goats with her savings. However, our medical partners at Africa Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tell us that Beatrice no longer has any savings and has sold her goats. "She has not been able to work since then [the accident] and has had 2 procedures on her leg. This has left her in debt and she is not able to meet the cost of the bone transport that she now needs." Beatrice is currently fitted with external hardware to support her bone and if not treated soon, she could develop a severe infection that could require amputation of her leg. Bone transport surgery will cost $1,500. Help Beatrice avoid these serious complications and be on the road to recovery!

Rocio is a three-week-old baby girl, living with her parents and seven siblings in Guatemala. “This little baby girl is in danger of severe malnutrition if not helped out,” our medical partners at Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) explain. “Mom is on the older side, and this was a tough pregnancy for her. Her milk production never started, and so she’s come to us looking for help.” Breast milk is important for the baby’s early development in terms of gaining weight and natural immunity. A milk formula can supply Rocio with the nutrition she needs, but her parents are unable to afford it. “We just want Rocio to get better soon, so that we can watch her grow and be healthy,” Rocio’s parents tell us. Our partners at WK expect that “with milk supplementation and close growth monitoring, Rocio will gain the weight she has lost and begin to improve.” It will take $1,220 to cover the costs to ensure that Rocio grows normally. Let's come together and help little Rocio get healthy!