Cedrick is a four-year-old boy living in the Philippines with his parents and four siblings. Cedrick loves to sing and dance with other children from his school, and his favorite sport is basketball. Cedrick's father is a rickshaw driver. His family lives in a small a house made of bamboo, and they share a water well with their neighbors. Cedrick has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition by our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. Fortunately, Cedrick began $268 malnutrition treatment on October 19, 2016. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and organic vegetable gardening. Now, Cedrick's family needs help to fund this treatment. "I hope that Cedrick will recover from malnutrition, and that he'll become energetic," shares Cedrick's mother. "I also pray that my son will grow up healthy and strong."

Ana lives in Guatemala with her husband and two children, who are 12 and seven. They live in a one-room adobe house, and she is 16-19 weeks pregnant. She is indigenous Maya Quiche, which means she speaks little Spanish, and going to the hospital where nobody speaks her language can be intimidating. Ana's husband is a bus driver, and she embroideries traditional Mayan blouses with flowers, leaves, and small animals. Although she and her husband are excited to have another child, they are concerned about being able to afford transportation to the hospital from their rural village, medications, and labs she needs. Ana was previously funded for diabetes care in 2014. Due to her diabetes condition and a large fibroid in her uterus, she needs extra prenatal care to ensure the safety of her and her baby. Although she didn't need insulin before getting pregnant, she needs it now. She also needs regular consults with an obstetrician, and a cesarian birth to make sure her or her baby do not suffer any life-threatening complications. For $281, Ana will receive treatment for preeclampsia. She will also receive transportation, interpretation, and advocacy services as she goes to the hospital for her prenatal care. All labs and medications will be provided, and our partner's team will work with her to create a custom birth plan so she can quickly and safely arrive at the hospital to give birth when the time comes. This treatment not only will save her life, but will give her the chance to bring a new life into the world!

Jonas is the second child in his family from Tanzania, born on October 5th, 2015. He is a happy little baby boy. When Jonas turned four months old, his mother noticed that his forehead was increasing in size. As time went on, the shape of his eyes also changed. She took him to the hospital, but was referred to a different hospital and did not go right away due to the lack of money. Jonas can no longer see properly and he needs surgery to be done to prevent further brain damage. He was diagnosed with hydrocephalus - or an abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in his brain. Jonas’ parents are small scale farmers and they mostly rely on growing and selling maize, peanuts, sunflower seeds and tomatoes. The little that they earn is not enough to cover their basic needs as well as the cost of surgery which Jonas needs. For $775, Jonas will undergo surgery to relieve the swelling and reduce the pain that he is experiencing. Jonas' parents are praying for their son to get well and grow up like other children. Following surgery, he is expected to make a full recovery. Let's help make it possible!

Five-year-old Ishara lives with her parents and siblings in Nepal. Her family depends on agriculture for a living and grows enough food to keep them fed for about three months a year. Ishara was playing with her friends when she slipped on the mud and broke her right hand. It has been hurting since then and her hand has considerably swollen. She was taken to the health post near her village, but was referred to Possible's hub, Bayalpata Hospital, for a surgical treatment. It took her family nearly two days to reach the hospital from her house. As a result of her injury, Ishara needs help with her everyday work like eating and getting dressed. For $541, we can fund orthopedic surgery to correct her fractured hand, as well as physiotherapy to help her regain full range of motion. Ishara's mother shared: "I hope my daughter's hand is treated soon so that she is free of pain."

Nancy is a 20-month-old baby girl who lives with her parents in a remote village in Kenya. Nancy’s mother is a housewife, and her father sells khat to sustain the needs of the young family. Nancy was born with a small anal opening. During the first six months of her life, while she was only feeding on breast milk, she did not have trouble passing stool. When she started eating solid foods, she began to have a difficult time passing stool, and her stomach started to swell. Nancy was taken to several hospitals by her parents, and eventually, she had a colostomy done to create an opening on her upper abdomen for passing stool. Her parents were able to pay for the surgery through financial contributions from friends and family, but as time passed, it became more and more expensive for them to cater to their child’s medical expenses. To prevent infections, Nancy's parents must keep the area around the colostomy clean. “This is really hard for us—very hard,” says Nancy’s father. Keeping the area clean has also been expensive, making it more difficult for the family to raise the funds required for the next phase of Nancy's medical care. Now, Nancy needs a pull-through surgery—an anorectoplasty—to create an anal opening through which she can pass stool normally. $1,260 pays for the surgery, and Nancy's parents are contributing $21 to cover additional costs associated with her care. “Please help my daughter get treated, as we have exhausted funds in trying to get her treated," shares Nancy's father. "My prayer is to have her treated. I really understand her condition, and I am desperate to make life easier for her."

Staniel is a 56-year-old father of seven. He works as a groundnut and maize farmer to support his family in Malawi. He has been experiencing symptoms related to his enlarged prostate for two years, but has been unable to access surgical treatment until now. For $742 our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM), will be able to perform a surgery to remove part of Staniel's prostate gland. This will help treat some of Staniel's symptoms and allow for a better flow of the urinary tract. His symptoms have prevented him from being able to accomplish some of his farming tasks, and he is excited to return to his work. "I am happy I can receive the operation, and feel like I can have a healthy life now," shared Staniel.

Two-month-old Noemi is acutely malnourished. She lives with her mother in Guatemala, and her mother is currently unable to produce breastmilk. "Her mother cannot afford formula, so she has been giving her daughter water with sugar or corn mush when she is hungry," explains our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "Unfortunately, this has given Noemi stomach problems, put her at increased of diarrhea, and has increased her risk of seizure due to the electrolyte imbalance that consuming non-breastmilk liquids causes in small infants." Noemi is dangerously underweight for her age. Her mother visited different local healers for herbal remedies to increase her milk production, but nothing worked. "Although she wants to help her daughter, she lacks the money to buy her daughter the formula she needs," says WK. With $1016, Noemi will receive the formula she needs. "This will save Noemi's life, giving her the calories, nutrients, and protein she needs to be a healthy baby," WK explains. "Her immune system will grow stronger with the treatment, and she will no longer be at risk of seizures." This funding will also provide her mother with "motivational nutrition education, giving her the tools she needs to help her daughter overcome her malnutrition and help her prevent future malnutrition and illness." "I hope that my daughter reaches a good weight and height," her mother said.

25-year-old Kristine has a happy and outgoing personality. She lives in the Philippines with her mother, and she is loved by her family and fellow church members. She also loves to sing and dance with the other children in their church and community. If the church has an activity, she eagerly offers herself to help with any chores in the activity area. Kristine was born with congenital clubfoot, a condition that impacts her gait. Our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), explains: "Kristine has difficulty in walking because of her left foot deformity. She also has seizure disorder but it is currently managed with medication. Her mother said that she was frequently teased by her classmates when she was still in elementary school because of the way she walked. Since then, she has not joined school; and everyday, she wishes that she could go back even in her age." Treatment for Kristine will cost $1,211, and consists of a surgery to correct her deformity give her a balanced gait, as well as boost her self esteem. It will also fulfill her wishes to go back to school if time and situation permits. Kristine's family was unable to have Kristine undergo surgery earlier because of lack of finances. At their pre-operative interview with ICM, Kristine's mother shared: "I really hope that my child can get treatment. We want to see her well and live normally, but we could not make it happen. She even stopped schooling to avoid bullies because we don't want to see her have emotional pains. We are praying that there could be someone that could help her."

Robert, an 11-month boy from Haiti, was born with a heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This heart condition is characterized by four heart defects that combine to prevent oxygen from effectively circulating throughout the body. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares that as a result, Robert has difficulty breathing and remains sickly. Robert, who lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and father, "is a quiet and happy baby and likes to play with toys and listen to music," HCA details. "His mother stays at home with him, and his father works as a vendor in the local market." Most children who are diagnosed early with tetralogy of Fallot can live relatively normal lives if they receive appropriate treatment. Health City Cayman Islands has also committed to subsidizing Robert’s surgery with $3,500. An additional $1,500 will allow Robert the surgery he needs to become healthy. HCA details: “During surgery, a shunt will be placed, allowing Robert’s blood to receive more oxygen while his heart continues to grow and develop. In about two years, he will require a second surgery to completely repair his cardiac defect.” “I have been very worried about Robert and I am so glad that there is a surgery that can help him be safe and healthy," Robert's mother shares. "Thank you, everyone!”

"Nazrawit fell inside the house about one year ago and sustained an open fracture," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. She is 11 years old and lives in Ethiopia with her large extended family. Since the fall, Nazrawit sustained a tibia fracture and developed osteomyelitis (infection in the bone) due to her lack of treatment. Her open wound has kept her from going to school, as she is unable to walk normally. Without treatment, she will have to leave school permanently and may develop a deformity or possibly have to amputate her leg. $1,470 will cover the surgery, cast, and medication she needs. "When the bone heals, Nazrawit will be able to walk without assistance and live a normal life," AMHF explains. Due to the size of Nazrawit's immediate family, she lives with her maternal aunt, uncle, and cousins. When possible, she likes to help out with the younger children, however it is often difficult due to her condition. "Nazrawit is very eager to learn and is looking forward to going back to school and eventually becoming a teacher," her uncle expresses.

Mi Mi, a 48-year-old woman from Burma, was recently diagnosed with uterine fibroids--noncancerous growths that develop on the uterus and cause abdominal pain. While she and her husband run a small shop from their home, Mi Mi's condition limits her everyday activities. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP) explains, “Mi Mi feels lethargic and finds it difficult to breathe. Also she finds it difficult to move around. When she feels pain she leaves her work and her husband has to prepare and look after the shop.” “When Mi Mi walks a lot she has to stop because it is difficult to breathe well," BBP continues. "She can eat and sleep well but she has discomfort. Mi Mi is so worried because this is the first time she has had a major medical problem and is scared of the surgery, but she knows that she needs it.” For $1,500, Mi Mi will receive a total abdominal hysterectomy. This operation will remove her uterus and cervix--preventing the uterine fibroids from redeveloping in the future. In addition to alleviating her pain, this procedure will prevent Mi Mi from developing anemia by stopping any excessive bleeding caused by her condition. Mi Mi--who enjoys praying in her spare time--plans to return to helping her husband run their small shop after her recovery.

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.