Jemrose is a happy and hardworking young woman from the Philippines. Her mother left when Jemrose was eight years old, leaving her and her siblings to the care of her father, who works as a land laborer. She was not able to finish high school, because her father could not sustain sending them all to school. Jemrose has thyroiditis, or inflammation of the thyroid gland. The condition is characterized by a painful goiter [abnormal enlargement of the thyroid]. At the age of 14, she started working as a housemaid. At the age of 16, she started to get sick easily, and her neck started to swell. She was able to send herself to a doctor with the help of her sister, but could not sustain the daily medications. She cannot afford treatment because her family's income can barely sustain their daily needs. Having a goiter at a young age, without a mother to take care of their family, has been difficult for Jemrose. Whenever she is under stress or has a long day of work, her throat and chest get tight and uncomfortable so that she can't work well. She also easily gets nervous with little stimuli. Her condition has forced her to stop working. Before qualifying for surgery, she felt hopeless that she would not be able to get the treatment she needs. With $365, Jemrose can undergo a procedure to treat her thyroiditis. "The lump in her neck will be removed, and she will no longer experience pain and discomfort. Through the treatment, her condition will be prevented from progressing and becoming worse. She is now excited that after the surgery, she will be able to look for a stable job and have a chance to finish school. Jemrose shares, "Thank you so much for this help, because we really can't afford this treatment. I was eight years old when my mother left us and my father has worked so hard for us. I want to help him. I hope that after treatment, I can find a stable job to sustain our family's needs."

Than Dar is a 27-year-old woman who lives in Burma with her parents, her eight-year-old daughter and three-year-old son, and her two sisters. She enjoys listening to music in her free time. Than Dar has been healthy her entire life. However, a month ago she began experiencing abdominal pain and excessive bleeding that prompted her to visit several clinics. Than Dar received a blood test and ultrasound, which she paid for herself, and these exams revealed a uterine mass. After her examinations in April, Than Dar was referred for further care, where another ultrasound confirmed previous reports of the presence of a mass close to the ovary. As a result of her mass, Than Dar is experiencing pain in her lower abdomen and back, tenderness upon pressing the area, and excessive bleeding. She hasn't been able to work for a month but she can help her mother with light household chores. Than Dar is scheduled for surgery to remove her mass, but she requires financial assistance to cover the $1,500 procedure that will eliminate her pain and rid her of future risks associated with the growth. She has been living and working as a shop vendor in Thailand for the past two years. Her work enables her to send money home to support her children and other family members. The family's total income is sufficient for their day-to-day needs and they can pay for minor medical expenses; however, they are unable to put any money away for savings. Than Dar hopes to get back to work to support her children after her surgery. "I want my children to go to school and become educated," she says. "I only completed third grade and I want them to do better. Whatever they decide to do with their lives is fine, as I only want them to be happy with their lives."

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.

In December 2015, Maung Shwe was walking on a dirt road when an out-of-control motorbike crashed into him and fractured his leg. He sustained several flesh wounds that healed in the subsequent weeks. He first sought treatment on the day of the incident with a traditional healer but this was ineffective. Next, he visited the local village health worker who could only provide him with injections to relieve his pain temporarily. The care provided by the health worker cost him a lot of money. Treatment at a hospital would have been too costly for him. He has never sought out treatment at a Burmese hospital but heard they are expensive. Maung Shwe’s nephew works for Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) and he encouraged his uncle to visit. In March 2016, he borrowed a mount of money from his friend for food and transportation so he and his daughter could make the trip to Mae Sot. Maung Shwe is a 62-year-old man who has always lived in a village in Karen State, Burma. He is a retired farmer and currently lives with his daughter and son-in-law. His daughter used to be a domestic worker in Bangkok and his son-in-law is a subsistence farmer. They do not generate an income, but when his family needs money, they sell their leftover rice yield or their chickens and pigs. Maung Shwe's current symptoms include pain upon movement and the inability to walk. His daughter had to quit working as a domestic worker in Bangkok in order to care for him. She assists him with tasks like helping him walk, escorting him to bathroom, and cooking for him. There are no wheelchairs in his village, so his daughter must tend to him at all times For $1,500, Maung Shwe will receive the operation he needs to treat his fracture permanently. This cost includes surgery, casting, and rehabilitation. Following surgery, Maung Shwe should no longer suffer from pain upon movement, and he should be able to walk again.

Astania is two months old and lives in Haiti with her parents and four older siblings. She was born with a heart condition called ventricular septal defect, in which a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. "Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen," our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) shares. "This leaves her feeling sick and weak." Astania’s father works in construction, and her mother sells rice in a marketplace. Although they work hard, they cannot afford the heart surgery that their daughter needs. Her mother told HCA that “Astania has been sick ever since she was born,” and she is “very happy that [Astania] can have her surgery.” $1,500 will fund preparation and overseas transportation costs for Astania's surgery, which is also being funded with a subsidy of $5,000 from Gift of Life International. "A successful surgery will restore normal blood flow to Astania’s heart, and she will not have any further symptoms," HCA adds.

Meet Fayka, a four-year-old girl from Tanzania. For over a month now, Fayka has been experiencing intermittent stomach pain that is severe at times and is affecting her ability to eat properly. Tests have revealed a growing abdominal mass that requires surgical removal to prevent further health complications. Born on July 1st, 2012, Fayka is an only child to her mother and father. “Fayka has started pre-school and she enjoys singing and coloring some pictures,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). “When around other children, you will see her laughing and peacefully playing with her friends.” “Fayka’s mother is a homemaker and her father is a truck driver,” says AMHF. The family currently rents a small apartment, hoping to save up some money and begin building their own house on a piece of land given to them by Fayka’s grandfather. However, “What Fayka’s father earns is not enough to cover their daily living expenses as well as the surgery which their daughter needs.” For $920, Fayka will undergo surgery to remove her abdominal mass, thus eliminating her stomach pain and allowing her to continue school without disruptions. “My daughter has been doing well and I will be happy not to see her suffering,” says Fayka’s mother. “My wish is to see her excel in life.”

Two-month-old Maritu lives with her family in Ethiopia. She was born with no anal opening—a condition known as anorectal malformation. Due to this, she is unable to pass stool normally. “Maritu presented with partial bowel obstruction at the age of one week,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains. “A colostomy was performed urgently. Maritu has recovered both from the surgery and the obstructive symptoms but still has a colostomy and an imperforate anus. Now, she needs a definitive surgery for the correction of her anomaly.” Maritu’s father works as a farmer to provide for his six children, but he does not earn enough money to pay for the surgery that Maritu needs. For $1,500, Maritu will undergo an anorectoplasty to create a new anal opening so that she can pass stool normally. AMHF tells us that after surgery, “Maritu is expected to live a normal life.” Maritu’s father hopes that one day his daughter will be well enough to go to school.

Jeniffer is a 22-year-old single widow who lives with her daughter in Kenya. She owns a small hair kiosk and works with her local community as a youth program facilitator. “At the age of seven, Jeniffer was pushed and got cut by a glass bottle behind her left ankle,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) tells us. “She got treated but her leg continued swelling. Jeniffer took antibiotics for 10 years to counter further swelling. At the age of 17, Jeniffer got pregnant and her increased weight resulted in more pressure onto her injured leg.” Despite two previous surgeries on her leg, "she is not able to walk well. This condition is affecting her ability to work and take care of her daughter. If not treated, Jeniffer could develop severe infections which could result in an amputation.” AMHF adds that despite the pain, Jeniffer still wears a smile and "she exudes positivity that she will be well soon." Jeniffer requires surgery to remove the damaged and infected tissue and replace it with a skin graft. Jeniffer and her family and friends have already raised $110 for her treatment, and need $940 more. Jeniffer says she hasn’t been able to play with her daughter. “I would love to take her swimming,” she shares. “Being a single mother is already very challenging. I cannot overcome all this hardship with this sick leg.”

Eight-year-old Chambi lives in Tanzania with her family. She is a previous Watsi patient who received skin grafting surgery in 2014 after severe burns from boiling water. However, she has since developed another wound on the same leg. “Chambi was brought back to the Plaster House (a Watsi partner facility) with an open wound on the same leg, which is preventing her from walking properly and participating in activities” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation. “Chambi needs skin grafting to be done again so that the wound can heal and prevent a serious skin infection from occurring. Her parents’ financial situation is still not good enough to afford the cost of operation.” $780 will cover the cost of Chambi’s skin graft, which will allow her the opportunity to return to school.

“When not working, Saman spends his time caring for his family and watching TV,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Saman, who lives with his wife and three children in Cambodia, “enjoys watching boxing programs and planting vegetables around his house.” Saman has developed immature cataracts in both of his eyes. Cataracts are a common condition whereby a thin, cloudy layer develops over the eye lens—causing deteriorated vision. Due to their limited sight, patients with cataracts often feel that they become a burden to their friends and family. CSC tells us, “Since Saman has developed a cataract in each eye, his wife has had to take care of him and she can not do her work very well because of it.” With $225 in Watsi funding, Saman will receive operations to remove both of his cataracts. He will undergo a 30-minute procedure in which the cataract over each eye lens will be removed and replaced with a clear, artificial lens. After surgery, CSC expects Saman will be able to see clearly again and return to his job at a nearby rice factory. CSC adds, “Saman wants to see everything again, earn some money to support in his family, and go anywhere by himself.”

Meet Sayda, a one-year-old girl from Guatemala. “Sayda is cared for by her mother and two older brothers,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). “When Sayda feels her best, she loves to play with a baby doll given to her by a neighbor. Currently, however, her mom reports that she has been too tired to play.” Sayda is experiencing the effects of acute malnutrition. “She suffers from a cough, fever, and diarrhea and has been losing weight as a result,” WK reports. “Sayda’s immune system is weak and she has decreased energy.” Malnutrition can cause long-term damage if it goes untreated. “Over time Sayda's mental and physical development will be permanently stunted, thus leading to developmental delays and preventing her from reaching her full potential,” WK explains. “Limited brain development and chronic illness will limit her ability to concentrate and succeed in school. Without intervention, in the long term she will have an increased risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, as well as decreased economic success.” $535 will help Sayda’s family get her health back on track. With this funding, Sayda will receive nutritional supplementation, medication, and growth monitoring to ensure that she is meeting her nutritional needs. These measures will help Sayda reach a healthy height and weight for her age, boost her energy, and bolster her immune system. She will thus be at a lower risk of developing the medical problems she has recently been fighting—such as cough, fever, and diarrhea. Sayda’s mother will also receive nutritional education to equip her with the skills and knowledge to make healthy choices for the family. This will help Sayda and her siblings maintain their health in the future. “I’m worried because she has more problems growing than the boys did,” shares Sayda’s mother. “I want her to study when she gets older, find a job and build a better way of life.” With our support, Sayda’s health will improve and her mother will be able to watch her baby begin to thrive.

Four-year-old Jameson is a quiet and shy boy who lives with his mother and grandparents in Haiti. He enjoys listening to music and helping to feed the family’s chickens. “Jameson was born with two different holes in his heart: one between the two upper chambers and another between the two lower chambers,” our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us. As a result of the holes, known as septal defects, “blood leaks between the chambers and does not flow properly out to his body. This leaves Jameson feeling sick and fatigued.” Surgery is recommended to treat the septal defects in Jameson’s heart. HCA explains, “During surgery, doctors will close both holes in Jameson’s heart, allowing blood to flow normally between the four chambers. Jameson should not experience any further symptoms from his condition.” With $1500, HCA will provide the overseas preparation and transportation required for Jameson’s treatment: airline tickets, passports, visas, and food support. Health City Cayman Islands is subsidizing Jameson’s treatment with a $7500 donation that will be used to cover the remaining costs of surgical care. “I am very excited that Jameson can have this surgery, and I am praying to God every day that everything will go well for him,” says Jameson’s mother.