Meet 30-year-old Sarom from Cambodia. “Sarom is married without children and she works as a farmer,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). “Sarom spends her time cleaning her house and taking care of her parents at home.” Sarom has a cholesteatoma in her right ear -- a non-cancerous skin cyst that has the potential to increase in size, and destroy the surrounding delicate bones of the ear. “When Sarom was two years old, she began have right ear discharge every day, and she never received treatment beyond occasional antibiotics,” reports CSC. “This causes her pain, hearing loss, and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).” For $809, Sarom can receive a mastoidectomy to surgically remove cells in the spaces behind her ear, relieving her persistent pain and unpleasant symptoms. CSC continues, “After a mastoidectomy, Sarom will be able to regain her hearing ability, and the discharge will stop.” Sarom is eager to heal properly and return to daily life, and her husband remains hopeful that her pain will soon come to an end. She shares, “I hope the ear discharge will stop, and I’ll have good hearing.”

Ibrahimu is a quiet one-month-old baby boy who lives with his parents and siblings in Tanzania. Both of his parents work as small scale farmers, selling corn, beans, and green bananas. Ibrahimu was born with myelomeningocele, a severe case of spina bifida. Myelomeningocele causes a protrusion of the spinal cord through the back. As a result, Ibrahimu also has hydrocephalus, a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in his brain. Ibrahimu often experiences a high fever and frequent crying. If he does not receive treatment, his condition could become life-threatening. AMHF can treat Ibrahimu’s condition with surgery to close the mass in his back, and drain the fluid from his brain. After surgery, “the lesion will heal, preventing Ibrahimu from losing CSF and easily contracting fatal infections," AMHF shares. The total cost of the treatment is $1,200. This cost also covers all surgical fees, a 10 day stay in the hospital, and physiotherapy. “All we need is for our baby to get well, and grow up like his brother,” says Ibrahimu’s mother.

Meet Akim, a six-year-old boy from Haiti who lives with his mother, father, grandparents, and little sister. According to our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), “Akim is in first grade, and likes going to school. When he is not in school he likes drawing and listening to music.” Akim was born with a congenital heart disease called ventricular septal defect. This means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers (or “ventricles”) of his heart. Blood from one ventricle leaks into the other without first getting oxygen from the lungs. Due to his condition, the blood that is pumped out of Akim’s heart to his body is not oxygen-rich. Consequently, Akim often has trouble breathing. HCA tells us that if left untreated, Akim’s condition could lead to serious health complications. Health City Caymen Islands has contributed $7,500 toward Akim's treatment. An additional $1,500 will cover overseas transportation costs. Akim's surgery will repair the hole in his heart, and restore normal blood flow. Akim shares, “I am excited about going to the hospital because it means I will be healthy after I leave."

Meet Restetuta, a 59-year-old entrepreneur and mother of four who lives in Uganda. Her two sons are casual laborers, and both her daughters are married. "Restetuta is a house wife as well as a farmer," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "She desires to get capital so that can start an income generating project of selling dry cereals." Restetuta has an inguinal hernia, a protrusion of tissue in the abdomen, on her right side. "Restetuta has lived with the pain for three years. She went to the government hospital where she was told she has a hernia and was advised to have surgery," AMHF shares. "Restetuta went to the same hospital three times for free surgery but the line for people who needed surgery was too long." If left untreated, Restetuta will remain in pain and may face complications from dangerous intestinal obstruction. AMHF shares Restetuta's reaction to another option for care. "As I walked in, I felt God’s mercy surround me," she said. $220 will cover Restetuta's operation to fix the defect in her abdominal wall that was caused by the protrusion. While she is under general anasesthesia, doctors will make an incision in the area where her hernia is located to repair and close the area. This operation will get rid of her pain and any risk of intestinal obstruction so she can return to her normal life. "I wish I could see those donors who are going to help me," says Restetuta, "God bless Watsi!"

Meet Ruth, a four-day-old baby girl from Kenya. Ruth’s mother is a housewife and her father is a small-scale farmer. Ruth was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect. She has a fluid filled sac protruding from her lower back, covering the abnormally developed spinal cord tissue. Complications from spina bifida include long term issues such as malformation of the spinal cord and loss of muscle function in her lower limbs. She is also at risk of contracting infections, which could be fatal. Ruth’s mother has worked hard to ensure the health of her new baby girl. Despite having no money to pay for hospital bills, "Ruth’s mother despite all odds struggled to bring Ruth to the hospital," explains our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Ruth’s mother says that she cannot watch her daughter die." For $805, Ruth will receive spina bifida closure surgery. Funding will cover surgical costs of the spina bifida closure, laboratory work, medications, hospital stay, and the necessary physiotherapy for Ruth to recover successfully. After treatment, Ruth will no longer be at risk of developing infection, spinal cord malformation, or paralysis in her lower limbs. Children with spina bifida who have undergone this treatment tend to go on to lead active lives. “I will not give up on my daughter,” says Ruth’s mother. “It’s my prayer that she gets well and becomes my greatest testimony.”

“The symptoms make it difficult to focus on my studies and that upsets me. My mind wants to study, but my body will not allow it,” says Mu Eh. Meet Mu Eh, a 19-year-old woman who lives in a refugee camp in Thailand with her parents and three younger siblings. “Mu Eh was 15 years old when she first noticed the symptoms of her condition,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). “She has made multiple visits to health clinics and hospitals over the past four years and been prescribed several different types of medication, however her symptoms have become more severe over time.” Mu Eh has nasal poylps. Nasal polyps are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses. BBP tells us they cause her pain and “make it difficult for her to breathe through her nose.” The growths also lead to “frequent headaches and her nose will sometimes swell and turn red.” Mu Eh passed grade 10 and is about to begin her post-term education. “She enjoys school and is interested in studying medicine,” BBP continues. “She occasionally misses school because of her condition and the pain makes it difficult to concentrate when she is studying.” $1500 will fund the procedure to remove the polyps along with transportation to and from the hospital. "With treatment, Mu Eh can be expected to make a full recovery and live symptom-free. She will able to return to her studies and work toward her dream of becoming a doctor.”

“My life was derailed by the accident,” Jeremiah shares. "I now depend fully on my parents and my family. I want to get well soon so that I can go back to working hard because I have not given up on my dreams.” This is Jeremiah, a 26-year-old man from Kenya. He lives with his parents and three younger siblings. Since high school, Jeremiah has worked odd jobs to save money in hopes of one day opening a business or buying a taxi. His plans were halted in 2012 when he was hit by a car and had to use all of his savings to cover hospital bills for his injuries. However, Jeremiah is still not completely healed and his right tibia remains broken. He needs a final bone grafting and ORIF (open reduction and internal fixation) procedure to repair his leg. “His parents have sold a big part of their farm to help pay for his hospital bills that have been as a result of more than five admissions for Jeremiah,” our partner African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) reports. “They are no longer in a position to pay for the next treatment that Jeremiah needs. Jeremiah now needs bone grafting and an ORIF." “If the surgery is not done soon,” AMHF continues, “Jeremiah is likely to develop infection and this could lead to amputation.” For $1,410 we can make sure Jeremiah receives the procedures he needs to finally recover from his accident, allowing him to get his life back on track.

This is Nan Htwe, a 29-year-old woman from Thailand. Nan Htwe has a degree in mathematics and lives with her two-year-old daughter and mother. “Nan Htwe is currently experiencing heart palpitations, especially from lifting heavy objects, and chest pains due to a cardiac condition,” shares our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Nan Htwe has an atrial septal defect -- or, an abnormal opening in her heart. "Even doing everyday tasks around the house is difficult for her,” continues BBP. “She is the sole income earner so the responsibility of providing for her family adds to her stress." "She currently works for an education NGO," shares BBP. "Normally her wage is enough to cover her everyday expenses, but it doesn't provide her enough money for healthcare." For $1,500, we can fund heart surgery for Nan Htwe. Treatment will allow her relief from her symptoms, and will close the opening in her heart. "Her biggest priority is working so she can provide for her family and send her daughter to school," BBP explains. "Treatment will allow her to be a better mother and teacher to her students."

“I always imagined what it would be like to go to school, so I still hope that one day I will go to school and learn how to read and write,” said Yohana, a 15-year-old boy from Tanzania who enjoys playing soccer and is in charge of herding his father’s cattle. “When he was three-years-old, Yohana was playing with other children when he accidentally fell on hot ashes and suffered severe burn wounds,” shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Although he received treatment, it took a long time for the wounds to heal, leaving Yohana’s arm in an L shape. Yohana now has anterior contractor of his left elbow, limiting its mobility and flexibility. If untreated, he will continue to have a left arm that he cannot bend. Yohana’s parents keep cattle and do farming, but cannot afford to pay for the surgery Yohana needs. With $550, AMHF will be able to provide Yohana with single contracture release surgery for his left elbow. After surgery, Yohana’s arm will be straight and flexible, allowing him to easily accomplish different activities. Let’s help him out!

Meet Abdirahman, a one-year-old baby boy from Somalia. "Abdirahman has been having issues feeding, which is a common complaint for children with hydrocephalus," our medical partner Edna Adan Hospital explains to us. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the skull, which causes brain swelling. With this condition, Abdirahman is unable to sit by himself. His mother brought Abdirahman from their hometown to the hospital hoping they could help. For $640, we can pay for a surgical shunting procedure to remove excess fluid from Abdirahman's brain, which will decrease the size of his head and give him a chance to grow up healthy. "His mother was very happy to find out that more treatment was available!" his doctors say.

Meet Srum, a 40-year-old mother of two from Cambodia. Srum works in a market selling goods, and works hard to keep her home clean for her family. For the past twenty years, Srum has experienced chronic ear discharge and infections. She has chronic otitis media, and is beginning to lose hearing in her left ear. "Her husband worries about her constantly and is worried she will go deaf," says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). For $810, CSC can perform a mastoidectomy to prevent further discharge and infection. CSC also hopes that the treatment will restore her hearing, and prevent future hearing loss. "Srum is looking forward to being able to hear everyone who is speaking to her," says CSC. Let's help make it happen, and fund this important treatment!

Say hello to Khon! He is a 76-year-old from Cambodia, who has eight children and 20 grandchildren. Khon was diagnosed with mature cataracts in both of his eyes, meaning that the natural lenses inside his eyes have become clouded. “His vision has been blurred for a year. This makes it hard for him to carry out daily tasks, and he cannot care for his family and home as he used to,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre. Because of this condition, one of Khon’s daughters often looks after him, causing her to miss work and caring for her children. All Khon wants is his independence back, and for $150, we can provide that. “I traveled six hours from my village in the hopes that my vision can be improved,” says Khon. Let’s work together to make sure he gets what he needs!