Saturday is 26-years-old father from Uganda. He has two children, a girl and a boy who are both three-years-old. He has a hair salon which gives him little income. He likes playing football. Saturday developed a swelling in his epigastric region (upper abdomen) about 14 years ago. The swelling is painful and on and off. He feels more pain after meals. Due to pain he is unable to lift heavy items and to dig. Saturday visited a government hospital where he was diagnosed with a hernia, but he couldn’t access a surgeon. Saturday has an epigastric hernia, which is a protrusion of tissue in the upper abdomen. He doesn’t have money to pay for his treatment at a private hospital. If not treated, the abdominal wall may continue weakening and this may lead to intestinal blockage and more pain. $249 will give Saturday the surgery and care he needs. After surgery he plans to continue working in his salon. Saturday says, “I am requesting for help. I have lived with hernia for a long time.”

Seven-year-old Cherata lives with her mother and 11 siblings in Kenya, about 10 hours from the nearest hospital. Her father has ten cows only and struggles to raise 36 children (from other marriages). Cherata's mother works as a cook to support her 12 children. In July 2014, Cherata got burnt and was treated at a different health facility. She had post burn contractures and was taken back to the hospital. She was referred to Kijabe, a Watsi partner hospital, for contracture release in November 2015 and was then scheduled for the contracture release surgery. Cherata is in need of Watsi support if she is to access treatment and get well. Transport to come to Kijabe was a problem, but a well wisher funded their transportation costs. Cherata has contractures - severe tightening of the skin - on her right arm and knee. She has not been able to attend school since she was burnt by open fire. She is also not able to walk for long distances or to comfortably use her hands. If not treated, Cherata will not be able to use her hand efficiently nor her legs. This might affect her education as she may not be able to attend school. $1,125 will fund the treatment she needs, plus all post-operative care. It is Cherata's mother's wish to "have my child treated and attend school like other children.”

Fitsum is a ten-year-old boy from Ethiopia who is currently in the third grade. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “Fitsum was viciously kicked by a neighborhood child about one year ago. Though he suffered pain he continued to go to school until about two months ago when he was unable to continue to walk to school and participate in school activities.” Fitsum’s injury caused him to develop osteomyelitis, an infection of the bone, in his left femur. Some of the bone has died due to lack of blood flow to the area, forming a sequestrum, or a piece of dead bone that has separated from the rest. Fitsum requires surgery to remove the dead bone tissue so the remainder can heal. “If not treated, Fitsum’s leg could become deformed or develop severe infection that would result in amputation,” says AMHF. In order to provide for him and his 14-year-old sister, Fitsum’s mother cleans and washes clothes for neighbors. She is a single parent, divorced from her husband. “The family lives in a rented house, and has no relatives in that area to offer support,” AMHF tells us. Fitsum’s mother needs assistance to cover the $535 surgical procedure to heal Fitsum’s femur. “When the bone heals, Fitsum should be able to walk well again and live a normal life,” says AMHF. “When asked about his hope for his future, Fitsum hid his head in his mother’s shoulder. He later whispered to his mother that he wanted to be a preacher someday.”