Esther is a beautiful seven-month old baby girl from Haiti. She has two older sisters, and loves to smile and play with her mom. Esther has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of her condition, Esther has been experiencing an increase in head circumference. Without treatment, Esther will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, Project Medishare, is requesting $897 to cover the cost Esther's surgery, which she will have on February 24th at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Bernard Mevs. This is the only site in Haiti that currently provides this critical type of treatment, which will drain the excess fluid from Esther's brain to reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Esther will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Her parents shared with us that they hope she'll have the opportunity to grow up and be able to play with the other children.

Jephte is a sweet 3-year-old boy who lives with his parents in a small town in Northern Haiti. He loves playing with toys and watching cartoons. Jephte has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him weak and short of breath. The care the Jephte needs is not available in Haiti, so he will fly to the Cayman Islands for treatment. On March 18th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which doctors will sew a patch over the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Their family has raised funds for his surgery, but they also need help to fund the costs of surgery prep and travel. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Jephte's family overseas. His mother shared, "Our family will be praying for everyone who is making this surgery possible for our son!"

Two months ago, Victor was born very healthy in a facility near their home. They were discharged and when they arrived home, Victor started to cry and feel uncomfortable. He was not crying too much and his mother did not take it too seriously. The following day, Victor’s aunt visited them and noticed that he was crying a lot. To her, the cry was not normal. She talked to his mother about it and they decided to take a closer look at his belly. A few minutes later, they noticed that his stomach was swollen and later found out that he was not passing stool. They rushed Victor to the facility where he was born and upon examination, Victor was immediately referred to BethanyKids Hospital. Being an emergency, he was brought in an ambulance and taken to an emergency department. He had a colostomy surgery that is the first stage of his treatment. He recovered fully and now he has been scheduled for a second surgery to help heal his condition. Victor is the last born in a family of six children. His parents are not well off financially. Both of them sell groceries and do casual labor when they can find it. The income they earn is just enough to feed the family. His parents are not in a position to raise any extra money for their son’s bill and are asking for financial support. Victor’s mother says, “It is very hard for us to raise any money to cater for Victor’s bill. Thank you.”

Joseph is a 3-year-old who hails from Kiambu County in Kenya. He is the fourth born in a family of five children. Joseph loves to play with his siblings. At the age of one year, Joseph's mother took him to the hospital. His health was not well enough at that time to safely undergo surgery. In September of this year, they brought him to Nazareth Hospital and doctors diagnosed him with cryptorchdisim. Cryptorchidism is a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Joseph has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. The surgeon recommends an orchidopexy procedure but the family’s health insurance could not be used since it has paid for previous surgeries and also treatment for his other brothers. Joseph's family's income is very limited and they are seeking help. Joseph will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on November 4th. AMHF is requesting $483 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. "We really appreciate the kind sponsorship of our other son. We pray that you may extend the same gesture to Joseph so that he can also grow up like other normal boys,” says Joseph’s father.

Arahufu is a two-year-old boy who loves football. He is the youngest child in a family of five children. Aruhufu's father works as a ‘manamba’, where his job is to call passengers onto a bus at the bus stop. When he manages to fill all the sits in the bus, he is then given some money. Arahufu was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, a condition in which his legs bow outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has difficulty walking and running. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Arahufu. The procedure is scheduled to take place on September 14th. Treatment will hopefully restore Arahufu's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decreasing his risk of future complications. Arahufu’s mother shared, “I can never find the money needed to cover my son’s treatment cost. I am struggling to even put food on the table. Please help him.”

Clarance is a playful and happy 11-year-old boy. He's a good student in grade four in school. His parents are separated and Clarance lives with his father, who works as a cleaner in a train station in Nairobi, Kenya Clarance has been diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Clarance will have an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Clarance receive treatment. On September 14th, he will undergo corrective surgery at AMH's care center. Now, AMH is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Clarance’s father shared, "I would really like my child to be treated and go back to school."

Nehemia is a nine-year-old child from Tanzania and the fourth born in a family of five children. She is currently in kindergarten and she loves singing the vowels. Nehemia's parents keep livestock for a living and sell the milk. Once in a while, they also sell a goat to make additional money. Nehemia has clubfoot of her left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Nehemia traveled to visit our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), to receive treatment. On September 14th, surgeons at AMH's care center will perform clubfoot repair surgery. Now, AMH is requesting $935 to fund Nehemia's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily. Nehemia’s father shared, "every day when she gets home from school she complains of pain and you can easily see she is trying not to put pressure on the foot due to fear of pain. Please help my daughter."

Shazma is a 2-year-old and the last born in a family of three children. She is a friendly and cheerful girl who already loves playing! Shazma's mother was laid off from her work at a horticulture farm due to the pandemic, and her father works as a cook at a local guest house. The parents used to support each other on payment of bills but now Shazma's father is the only earner while her mother takes care of the children at home. Shazma was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus which causes her legs to bend outward and results in difficulty walking. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shazma on April 16th. Treatment will ensure Shazma's mobility as she grows, allow her to participate in all she wants to do, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Shazma’s mother shared, "My daughter is in need of treatment to repair her legs. She currently struggles a lot to walk but the cost of treatment is not something we cannot afford. Kindly help our daughter if it’s possible."

Shabani is a 3-year-old child from Tanzania. Shabani is the youngest in a family of three children. He is a cheerful and happy boy despite his leg condition, which makes things difficult for him. Shabani’s father is a local fisherman who makes a small amount of income to support their family. Shabani was diagnosed with left genu varus, or bowleggedness. This condition causes his leg to be bowed inward at the knee. It is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking around normally. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Shabani. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 5th. Treatment will hopefully restore Shabani's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Shabani’s father shared, “We are not happy to see our son suffer this way. Hospitals have become very expensive and we are unable to afford the cost. Please help support our child.”

Shatrice is a playful child whom her mother describes as exploring. She was born with hearing loss which was only noted when she was two years old. Efforts to seek treatment in their home area were fruitless. This was mainly because of financial limitation. Her mother was advised to bring her to Watsi's medical partner facility, about 500km from their village. Shatrice was diagnosed with profound hearing loss and requires hearing aids. With the fittings, she will develop her speech and her hearing will greatly improve. Shatrice’s mother is the only breadwinner in the family. She has to care for her two children and Shatrice’s grandmother who is struggling with esophageal cancer. From time to time, she has to take up cleaning jobs to meet demands at home. The family, however, relies on the church to meet their daily needs, including their transport and consultation fee. Shatrice’s mother desires to have her child grow up like any other child. She appeals for help.

Tracy is a beautiful three-year-old girl from Uganda. Tracy was screened in during a surgical camp organized by Nyakibale Hospital where she was diagnosed with a lipoma on her chest area. Her mother notes that the swell has been there for over one year. They had not taken her to the hospital due to financial challenges. The lipoma has disfigured her chest area and is often painful as Tracy cries a lot. Tracy had surgery recommended and he family linked with Watsi's Medical Partner to request financial assistance. Tracy, the last born in a family of three has started her nursery school. Her mother operates a saloon while the father works at a retail shop. Their income is negligible to meet the cost of surgery in the hospital and they appeal for help. The surgery will restore Tracy's good health and ease her pain. On April 25th, surgeons will remove the mass. Now, Tracy's family needs help to raise $187 to fund her procedure. Tracy's mother says, “My daughter has been crying always due to pain and the discomfort, but I hope that she will be relieved after undergoing her surgery and continue with school since she enjoys going to school more than anything else.”

Karen is a two-year-old child from Tanzania, who is the last born child in a family of four children. Karen’s father works at a mine while her mother works as a storekeeper at a local school. Through their income, they are able to support their family's basic needs. Karen was diagnosed with bilateral genu varus, meaning her legs curve outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, she struggles to walk. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Karen. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 13th. Treatment will hopefully restore Karen's mobility, allow her to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease her risk of future complications. Karen’s father says, “Please help my daughter get this treatment so that she will be able to walk well without pain.”