Two years ago, Naangayok underwent a mass excision for a benign tumor on his leg. This procedure was funded by Watsi donors, and was successful. Recently, however, Naangayok returned to the hospital in pain and unable to walk. Doctors discovered that the tumor had recurred and diagnosed the tumor as cancerous. Naangayok is an 18-year-old man from Tanzania, who lives with his parents and helps his father herd cattle. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “The tumor cannot be excised as there is no way of doing so without destroying some nerves and blood vessels. This would result in a non-functional limb and a high change of a recurring tumor.” Doctors recommend that Naangayok’s leg be amputated above the knee. After the wound has healed, Naangayok will need a prosthetic to walk again. $1,035 will fund the operation Naangayok needs. Even if Naangayok’s parents sell the few cattle they own, they will not be able to afford the operation for their son. AMHF says that with the operation, “We expect that the surgery will reduce the chances of the cancer spreading and save Naangayok’s life.” “I wish I didn’t have to lose my leg, but I am feeling a lot of pain that I have accepted," Naangayok shares. "My changes of healing are higher without that part of my leg. I hope I will still be able to walk when I get an artificial leg."

"In the future, we want to return to Burma and open a shop where we will sell dried food," says Cho Mar, a 44-year-old farmer who moved to Thailand with her husband in order to find better work opportunities. "Four years ago, Cho Mar started experiencing heavy bleeding," reports our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). This was also accompanied by abdominal pains, but after a few months her symptoms subsided so she did not seek any treatment. This past September, however, the same symptoms came back and she also felt a mass in her abdomen. When Cho Mar came to the clinic for an ultrasound, she was diagnosed with a uterine myoma - a non-cancerous growth of fibroids in the uterus caused by abnormal development of muscle cells. If left untreated, these uterine fibroids will continue to grow and cause her severe pain and blood loss. Financing Cho Mar's medical treatment has been very difficult. Cho Mar and her husband do not have ID documentation, so transportation to reach medical treatment has been very expensive. Drivers often over-charge them, and there are several police/immigration checkpoints along the way where they must pay additional fees. Even though Cho Mar's husband works seven days a week on the farm, Cho Mar has been unable to work the past seven months due to her condition. BBP explains, "They have to use their money wisely, because it's just enough to cover their daily expenses. They cannot save or pay for unexpected costs." With $1500, Cho Mar will have a hysterectomy where doctors will surgically remove her uterus and prevent the uterine fibroids from redeveloping in the future. After her surgery, Cho Mar will no longer have pain and discomfort so she can return to work on the farm with her husband. Cho Mar is eager to return home healthy so she can continue working towards her goals. "My dream is to go back to work so that we can start to save money," Cho Mar shares with us.

Gustavo is a three-year-old boy who lives in Guatemala with his parents and older brother. He enjoys playing soccer with his brother, watching dogs play in his front yard, and crawling after the chickens that roam through his home. “Gustavo has epilepsy and, as a result, has had convulsions regularly since he was barely one-year-old,” our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, tells us. “He is not on medication and his mother is currently afraid to leave the house with him because she fears he will have a convulsion in public. There is no way that Gustavo’s family can afford the medication, physician visits, and labs he needs to keep his convulsions under control.” “Without intervention, he will continue to have regular seizures which will affects his ability to physically grow and mentally develop,” Wuqu’ Kawoq continues. “It is common to see children with epilepsy not seek an education out of fear of having a seizure in front of their classmates and out of the safety of their parent’s watchful eyes.” $745 will fund medication and regular counseling for Gustavo to treat and manage his convulsions. “He will undergo a lab work-up to rule out any other possible conditions he may have,” says Wuqu’ Kawoq. “Best of all, Gustavo will have access to a more full life. His mother will not have to live in fear of her child having a seizure and, as a result, Gustavo will be freer to play with other kids, eventually attend school, and just be a kid.” “I just want my son to grow well and go to school to become a professional, perhaps a doctor,” shares Gustavo’s mother.

Meet Justin, a two-year old baby boy from Kenya. Justin is “the first born to a young couple,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). AMHF shares that Justin is a very active baby boy, and fell from his bed accidentally on October 3rd, fracturing his right elbow. He specifically has a right displaced supracondylar fracture, a frequent injury in children and that often leads to complications if not treated quickly. Justin requires an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) to fix his elbow. This first puts the broken bone back into place, and then places a fixation device on the bone to prevent it from moving. "His mother is a college student and his father is currently jobless: Justin's father used to do casual work at a cyber café," AMHF reports. They rely on their parents for support, and are unable to pay for Justin's surgery on their own. $1,125 will fund treatment to heal Justin's bones. The cost of the treatment includes surgical, hospital, and all medication costs. “We expect after an ORIF, Justin will recover fully. He will no longer be in pain, and his hand will heal well. He will be able to use it again. Justin will have a chance to grow up normally and healthy,” says AMHF. “This is my first baby and I am distressed because of his suffering from this pain," Justin's mother shares. "I hope we can get financial assistance and the surgery will be successful. I can’t wait to see my child able to use his hand again, so that he can grow up like other children.”

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.

“My wish is that when he is six years old, he will be well enough to attend school,” shares Ariel’s mother. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) says that Ariel, a one-year-old boy from Guatemala, “likes to play with toy cars.” Ariel is at a critical point in his early childhood development. His mother explains that they are currently, “making the transition from crawling to walking.” Excitedly, she adds that last week, “Ariel took his first steps.” However--due to acute pediatric malnutrition--Ariel may witness delays in future development milestones at this important part of his childhood. Acute malnutrition occurs when the body does not intake as many essential nutrients as it needs--causing a nutritional imbalance. Children with malnutrition often experience stunted growth--both mentally and physically. According to WK, “Ariel’s height and weight are far below the average for his age.” Without intervention, acute malnutrition can lead to significant health complications due to a weakened immune system. $535 will fund a 90-day micronutrient food supplementation program to treat Ariel’s acute malnutrition. Over the three month period, nutrient-rich food supplements will be gradually incorporated into Ariel’s diet. This will be a slow and gradual process to allow his body to safely adjust to the dietary changes. As his immune system is currently weak, Ariel will also receive a deworming medication to protect him against infections while he is undergoing treatment. With the fourth-highest rate of malnutrition in the world, this condition is particularly common in Guatemala. As education plays an important role in prevention, Ariel’s parents will work with a nutritionist to receive an intensive course on nutrition. WK comments that teaching Ariel’s parents about healthy eating habits, “will impact his diet and health care for the rest of his childhood.” Additionally, WK states, “this treatment will give Ariel a chance to recoup his weight and height, gain the nutrients he needs to grow normally and strengthen his immune system.” With a healthier diet, “Ariel's energy will increase and he will have the capacity to concentrate, learn more effectively and eventually succeed in school,” says WK.

“When I got married at the beginning of last month, I was really ready to work and start up my own family,” says Joseph, a 42-year old man from Kenya. The newlywed and his wife recently had a baby, and were settling into their life together when Joseph had an unfortunate accident that left his right leg severely fractured. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, “Joseph accidentally fell while descending from a public service vehicle.” While falling, his “right leg got stuck, twisted, and sustained a femur fracture.” Joseph has previously undergone an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to surgically realign the fractured bone using metal plates and rods. However, following his surgery “he put a lot of pressure on the plates before he was fully healed,” AMHF explains. As a result, they tell us, “last week Joseph developed severe pain and could not use the leg.” After realizing he was unable to use the leg, Joseph returned to the hospital. Following a thorough examination, it was found that the plates from the previous ORIF were broken. To correct this issue, the ORIF must be repeated. AMHF tells us, “Joseph used to work as a masonry doing casual jobs wherever jobs were available.” While his leg continues to heal, however, Joseph is unable to work, and his family is unable to pay for another surgery. With $1,125, Joseph will receive a follow-up ORIF to realign his fractured femur. Steel plates will be reinserted in order to properly structure his bone regrowth. Joseph will stay in hospital for a two-week period, during which time he will receive several x-rays to ensure his safe recovery. Following surgery, Joseph’s leg will heal fully, allowing him to get back to work. Joseph shares, “this accident has devastated my efforts and I am feeling very helpless with this new diagnosis. I hope Watsi can help me so that I can get well and start earning for my new family.”

Meet Yin, a 34-year-old mother of three from Burma. Yin is married with one son and two daughters. “She works as a market vendor selling fruits and vegetables, and her husband is a rickshaw driver. They have never been able to save money, because it is very expensive to send their three children to school,” reports our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “Despite the financial barrier, Yin insists on making sure her children are educated, because she was only able to attend school until grade 3 and wants more for them.” Yin was born with congenital heart disease, a defect in the heart’s structure that results in loss of normal function, and eventually heart failure. “Yin first learned of her condition when she was 17, but never sought treatment because she knew she could not afford it,” continues BBP. “Yin’s condition causes her to experience weight loss, dizziness, severe heart palpitations, fatigue and chest pains. She finds she needs to rest for longer and longer periods after physical activity, and the financial burden of disease is causing her stress.” “In August 2014, her symptoms became so severe that she took a loan of 500 USD from a money lender and went to see a doctor who told her she would need surgery,” explains BBP. “Yin has been unable to work for the past year and worries about how she will pay back her loans.” For $1500, Yin can receive a complex cardiac surgery that will correct the congenital heart defect and fully resolve her current symptoms. This cost covers the procedure, hospitalization (x-rays, medication, laboratory testing, meals), transport, and pre and post-surgery outpatient visits. Yin remains positive and looks forward to a bright future. “Yin plans to go back into business after treatment and sell goods in many different markets,” says BBP. “Her dream is to one day run her own company. She believes that treatment will allow her to be a better wife and mother.”

“When my feet are straight, I will join a tailoring class and start a business of my own later on,” says Imakulata. Meet Imakulata, a 14-year-old girl from Tanzania. Imakulata is the second born child in a family of three. Imakulata has never been to school “due to the fact that her peers used to laugh at the way she walks,” explains our medical partner at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Imakulata has unilateral clubfoot. Instead of going to school, she stays at home and helps her parents with everyday chores such as cleaning the house, washing the dishes, and cooking. “Imakulata’s gait has been affected due to the fact that she has to use the lateral aspect of her right foot for walking,” AMHF tells us. “She is at high risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age if remains untreated.” Imakulata’s father spends most of his earned income on alcohol, which makes Imakulata’s mother the sole provider for the family’s financial needs. Imakulata’s mother works at a market selling fresh fruits and vegetables, but the income she earns can barely cover the basic needs of the family, let alone Imakulata’s medical treatment costs. For $1,160 we can help Imakulata access the healthcare she needs. Let’s help Imakulata receive a life-changing surgery and get her into the classroom.

Meet Mekeya, a two-year-old girl from Ethiopia. "Mekeya was born without an anal opening," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She could not pass stool normally and had to pass stool through her vagina with great difficulty." Upon her diagnosis, Mekeya received a colostomy, which has worked somewhat as a temporary solution. However, she needs an anorectoplasty to fully correct the problem and allow her to pass stool normally. The surgery will cost $1500, and Mekeya's parents cannot afford the cost. "Mekeya's parents are farmers. They have spent all their money on health care diligently seeking for a cure for their daughter," says AMHF. "However, despite all their efforts Mekeya is not yet well. They are deeply worried that Mekeya is in real danger and they are completely unable to pay for this life saving surgery." After treatment, Mekeya is expected to make a full recovery. "Mekeya will be able to pass stool normally," says AMHF. "She will have a chance of growing up healthy and normally."

"As Angelina kept growing, so did the mass," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Despite her condition, Angelina is an active and happy baby." Seven-month-old Angelina is from Tanzania, and was born with a closed myelomeningocele -- a mass on her lower back which can rupture anytime. If it were to rupture, AMHF tells us, the loss of cerebral spinal fluid would be life-threatening for her. For $1100, AMHF can operate on Angelina and remove the mass. She will no longer have the condition and her family will not need worry about a potential rupture. Her parents work hard selling maize and millet to support the family, but cannot come up with the funds for her surgery. “It is our great hope that our daughter will get the right treatment to remove the swelling on her lower back as it keeps growing bigger and bigger," says Angelina's mother. "We want her to be able to crawl, walk and continue with normal growth like the rest of our children so that later on she can also go to school."

“Samuel is a strong and active two-and-a-half-year-old boy from Tanzania,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “He likes to run around with other children, kicking balls and singing Sunday school songs. He is the third-born in a family of three children. Samuel likes to spend most of his time at his grandma’s house. Samuel’s mother, a widow, works very hard to take care of her children. She buys and sells green vegetables at an open market in their village.” “Samuel was born with congenital deformity of the left foot that is making him use the lateral aspect of his left foot for walking, which is painful and has affected his gait,” AMHF continues. “If not treated, Samuel will be at high risk of developing osteoarthritis at an early age, limiting him from performing daily activities efficiently.” “My son walks with difficulties and he cannot wear shoes like his siblings,” Samuel’s mother tells us. “My hope is for him to be able to walk properly, wear shoes and grow up like the rest of my children, and have an opportunity to go to school.” Doctors at AMHF can treat Samuel’s clubfoot for $1,160, allowing him to wear shoes and start going to school when the time comes.