Lyse is an eight-year-old girl from Haiti. She lives with her mother, father and two younger sisters in Port-au-Prince. Her mother works as a pediatric nurse, and her father works as an office administrator to support their family. Lyse is in the fourth grade and is an extremely intelligent and focused student. Lyse was born with patent ductus arteriosus, a cardiac condition in which a hole in the heart that normally closes shortly after birth remains open. As a result, blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving Lyse feeling weak and short of breath. Lyse will travel to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On August 24, she will undergo cardiac surgery. This $5,000 surgery is subsidized by International Children's Heart Foundation. Lyse'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 Lyse's family. "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping me to have a normal heart!" says Lyse.

Wilson is a 14-month-old baby boy from the rural highlands of Guatemala. Wilson is a happy child, as he is frequently found singing and dancing to music. Wilson is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition, a dangerous condition that results from consuming too few calories and nutrients. In the short term, this means that Wilson has little energy to grow, and he also gets sick more often than other children. The long-term consequences of malnutrition include increased risk of chronic diseases and delayed development. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $492 to fund treatment for Wilson. On June 22, Wilson will begin routine growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Local health workers will also teach Wilson’s mother about nutrition. These interventions will ensure Wilson grows up strong and healthy. Wilson’s mother says, “Thank you for entering me into the program, for it will be of great benefit, both with the supplements and with the nutrition classes, which will permit me to gain new knowledge and therefore feed my son better. In the future I hope that he can study and become a professional so that he can have a higher quality of life.”

Cristian is 19 months old and lives with his family in rural Guatemala. He has been diagnosed with severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. He is only the size of a healthy six-month-old baby. Cristian's parents are worried about their son because he is always sick and has no appetite. While malnutrition can have devastating long-term effects, it is also easily treatable. Cristian will begin his treatment on April 26. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), will provide Cristian with food and micronutrient supplements. WK has also arranged for a community health worker to teach Cristian's parents how to create nutrient-rich meals for their son. The total cost of the treatment is $492. Cristian’s mother says, "I wish for nothing more than to see my son grow well." Let's help Cristian grow into a strong and healthy boy!

Travis is an 18-month-old boy from Kenya. He is an only child, living with a single mother who works as a waitress. The two of them live in Tanariver, a coastal region in Kenya. Born healthy, at about two months old, Travis started having issues feeding and became irritable. His symptoms progressed until he was four months old, when he was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess fluid to accumulate in the head. The effects of this condition can result in delayed development, permanent brain damage, and even death. The initial treatment, a shunt that drained excess fluid from Travis's head, was successful. At a routine checkup, it was discovered that Travis needed additional treatment: a shunt revision to unblock his existing shunt and prevent possible brain damage. Having spent all her savings on travel expenses for medical visits, Travis's mother was relieved to learn that Watsi could fund Travis's treatment. On May 5, Travis will undergo the shunt revision. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $634 to fund this procedure.

Nan is a 71-year-old farmer who lives in Cambodia. He is married with three sons and three daughters. He likes to read books on Buddhism and plant vegetables behind his home in his spare time. In October 2015, Nan was working with a lawnmower when a blade broke, cut into his leg, and fractured his tibia. He went to a military hospital, where doctors affixed a metal plate to the bone to mend the fracture. His wound, however, never healed. A hospital referred Nan to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for additional surgery. He traveled seven hours with his daughter to reach CSC. On February 14, surgeons at CSC will perform a debridement procedure to clear dead and contaminated tissue from his wound. They will also remove the plate and screws from his left tibia. This will allow Nan to walk again and return to his work without pain. Watsi is asking for $411 to cover the surgery. Your donation will help pay for the surgeon, nurses, anesthesiologists, physiotherapist, medication, x-rays and lab tests, and 14 nights stay in the hospital.

Meet Francisco, a 83-year-old grandfather from Guatemala. He has worked as a farmer for most of his life but has recently retired due to his age and worsening eyesight. Francisco has been diagnosed with a case of complicated cataracts. The clouding of the lenses in his eyes makes it very difficult for Francisco to see. Francisco is very sad about his current inability to see but is very hopeful about his upcoming surgery. Francisco will undergo surgery on March 3 to remove his cataracts. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), is asking for $1,500 to help pay for Francisco's surgery. This will also cover travel costs to and from the hospital, pre- and post-operative treatment, and medical evaluation by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist). Francisco shares with WK that his dream is to regain enough eyesight to be able to get his driver's license again and drive himself around. He says, "I give thanks for the opportunity you are giving me in surgery to be be able to see, and therefore live out my old age happily."

Meet Abelino, a seven-year-old boy who lives with his family in rural Guatemala. When Abelino was one year old, he got very sick and started having seizures. Abelino has developmental delays, and he is unable to walk on his own. His mother straps him to her back and carries him around all day. While she loves having her son nearby, it is becoming more difficult for her to carry him. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,034 to purchase a wheelchair for Abelino. His parents are also asking for help so that they can "keep carrying Abelino forward." Abelino will receive the wheelchair on February 26. With a wheelchair, Abelino will be able to travel to his doctor's appointments more easily. He will also have the chance to fully participate in his family and community life.

Jose is a one-year-old baby who loves to play and babble with others. His mother passed away from tuberculosis, so he lives with his aunts. Jose is experiencing symptoms of malnutrition. He has little energy, and he gets sick more often than other children. He is at an increased risk for stunted growth, low IQ, and chronic disease. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also highly treatable. On January 12, Jose will begin treatment for his condition. He will undergo growth monitoring and nutrient supplementation. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is asking for $437 to fund this treatment. "We want to thank you for the support for my nephew to grow well," says Jose's aunt. "We want to see him grow healthy and, when he is big, be a person who studies and overcomes obstacles in life."

Frank is an eight-year-old boy from Kenya who is in third grade. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with an abnormal condition in a sensitive area. Without treatment, he is at risk of impaired fertility, testicular cancer, and hernia. Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo hernia repair surgery on December 21. Frank’s parents separated a year ago. Now, Frank lives with his mother, who helps his grandparents with subsistence farming. With no source of income, the family cannot afford healthcare. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $535 to fund this procedure. “It comes as a jarring shock to any parent when their child is diagnosed with such a condition and with the potential of having his fertility affected," says Frank's mother. "I hope we will get help towards Frank’s treatment."