Virginia is a 50-year-old wife and mother who lives in Kenya. She and her husband are farmers, and Virginia also does some knitting to provide supplemental income for them and their four children. In March 2016, Virginia felt a lump on her left breast, and she immediately sought medical treatment in our facility. She was diagnosed with breast cancer, which has affected her psychologically. A mastectomy procedure was recommended. If not treated, Virginia risks having the cancer spread to other parts of her body, and this might result in premature death. Although all of Virginia's children have completed school, they are not employed and rely on their parents for financial support. This limits the family's income sources, leaving them unable to raise the full amount needed for the surgery that Virginia needs. For $740, Virginia will undergo a mastectomy to remove her left breast. Funding also covers the costs of six days of hospital care, pain medicine, and blood tests. Virginia's family is contributing $156 to cover additional costs associated with her care. After the treatment, the risk of cancer spreading to other parts of Virginia’s body will be reduced. She will be free to work and provide for her family. “My wish and prayer is to be well and cancer free and to join campaigns on cancer awareness," shares Virginia.

Meet Rebecca, a baby girl from Tanzania. Rebecca is 13 months old, and the youngest of her family’s two children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that Rebecca enjoys playing with dolls and tins. Rebecca was born with meningocele and spina bifida -- a gap along the lower end of her spinal cord causing a mass to grow. AMHF explains that without treatment, Rebecca faces the risk of further neurological complications as she continues to develop. Rebecca’s parents, both small-scale farmers, earn a modest combined income that is not enough to cover the cost of the operation she needs. For $1,200, Rebecca will undergo surgery to treat her meningocele and spina bifida. This treatment will heal the mass on Rebecca’s back, preventing infection and reducing swelling in the area. AMHF tells us that Rebecca is an energetic baby and is already sitting, crawling, and kneeling. While she is still too little, Rebecca keeps trying to walk. With treatment, Rebecca will gain the strength to experience a healthy and active childhood.

Meet three-year-old Lewis from Kenya! He is an only child, and his single mother works as a house help in the capital, Nairobi, leaving Lewis in the care of his ailing grandmother. Lewis has been diagnosed with a condition called epispadias, which is an abnormal opening from the bladder neck to the urethra opening. It causes Lewis severe discomfort and leaves him unable to control his bladder. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, reports, “Lewis' condition means he is prone to urinary tract infections. Without treatment he will likely become infertile.” His mother and grandmother desperately wish to help him, but are unable to afford the surgery he needs. Lewis’ grandmother says, “I wish my grandson well and I hope that he’ll get treatment soon. We have nowhere else to get support, and my prayer is that we get help.” For $1,500, doctors will repair and reconstruct Lewis' bladder wall and opening, he will receive the necessary medication and care in a health facility. Let’s help little Lewis get the care he needs, so he can grow up, happy, healthy and proud of who he is!

Jeremiah is new to this world and already fighting for his life. Born without an anal opening, his body cannot digest food properly. As a result, he cannot breastfeed without throwing up. Jeremiah's mother brought him to our partner hospital when he was just a few days old because she knew something was wrong. "It will just break her heart if he doesn't survive," our partner writes. A preliminary colostomy will help Jeremiah temporarily digest food until a posterior sagittal anorectoplasty procedure, a new technique used to repair anorectal malformations, will be performed to help Jeremiah eat and pass stool normally for the rest of his life. The only pediatric surgeon in the entire country of Tanzania will perform the procedure. For $1,200 Jeremiah can receive life-saving healthcare. Let's make it happen for him.

Socheat, a 42-year-old woman from Cambodia, has been seeking medical care for 11 years. In 2003, she broke her hip in a motorbike accident and initially sought treatment from a traditional healer in her village. Still in pain after one year, she went to a hospital and had surgery to repair the fracture. Unfortunately, the surgery was unsuccessful, and Socheat is still experiencing a great deal of pain. Socheat owns a small stand where she sells bananas. She enjoys spending time with her three children and wants to get better so she can continue taking care of them. The doctors at Children's Surgical Centre, a Watsi medical partner, say that Socheat needs a total hip replacement. This will restore mobility and decrease pain in her hip. Let's raise the $500 needed to help Socheat live a pain-free life!

Meet Lesta, a woman who is "cheerful, hard-working, jovial, and often has a big smile on her face." Lesta is from Malawi, where she has worked at a district hospital as an attendant for over 30 years. She loves her job, which consists of transporting and caring for patients. Lesta is a proud mother of one daughter and four sons. Lesta has had been living with a ventral hernia for 19 years. The pain from her hernia limits her ability to do her job, which includes tasks like lifting equipment and assisting patients in the hospital. For $200, we can dramatically improve Lesta's quality of life. The surgery will allow Lesta to return to her usual hospital duties and continue taking care of people in her community. Let's get together to support someone who has dedicated her life to helping others!

Dilli is a 53-year-old farmer and father of two sons from Nepal. His family's farm only yields crops six months out of the year so he supplements his income by working as a security guard in India. Dilli's goals in life are to have a good family and live to see his grandchildren get married. About a week ago, Dilli experienced severe abdominal pain and was diagnosed with cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder, a condition that causes extreme pain. For $965, Dilli can receive surgery to have the gallbladder removed. Let's help Dilli to get back to his work and family!

Christine is pregnant and hoping to deliver safely. Although she reports feeling more confident since learning about danger signs and how to avoid health issues during pregnancy from our medical partner, she is concerned about complications during birth, as well as her ability to get her newborn immunized against common illnesses. Christine and her family are farmers who grow maize, beans, groundnuts, cabbages, and sugarcane for money and to pay for school fees. They are able to barely cover basic necessities but cannot afford the cost of securing a safe delivery. For only $215, Christine will give birth in a health facility under the care of skilled attendants. This fee also includes pertinent health education about caring for an infant and a well-baby checkup before going home after the birth. Let's give Christine the safe delivery she hopes for!