Edoso is a baby from Ethiopia. He is a smiley toddler who loves to play and laugh with his mother. His father passed away a year ago, leaving his mother with six children. Edoso's mother rented out their small farm and is barely able to meet the needs of her family. Edoso was born with an anorectal malformation, a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He needs to undergo a series of procedures to eliminate bowel dysfunction. Edoso is scheduled to undergo surgery to correct his condition on April 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Edoso's procedure and care. After his recovery, Edoso will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing health complications in the future. Edoso’s mother says, “I was a house wife. When I lost my husband, life got difficult because he was the one who supported the family. Now I am struggling with the financial needs of my family. I am trying to raise my children with the limited money I get from my rented land."

Kyaw is a 68-year-old cow herder from Burma. He lives with his wife in Karen State, Burma, earning just enough to cover their daily expenses. In January 2018, Kyaw experienced a sharp pain in his stomach. Since there are no clinics or community health workers in his village, he tried to treat himself with herbal medicine. When this did not work, he was brought to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, by a friend who was visiting his village. Due to his illness, he is not able to work anymore. Kyaw has been advised to undergo a biliary obstruction repair, a procedure to repair the blockage of the bile ducts, which carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder. If left untreated, Kyaw's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. After seeking treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF), Kyaw is scheduled to undergo his biliary obstruction repair on March 8. BCMF is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of Kyaw's procedure and care. “After my recovery, I would like to stop working, and go to the monastery to become a monk, and live an easy life," says Kyaw.

Ann is a bar attendant from Kenya. She is a mother of four children. In early February, Ann was riding as a passenger on a motorcycle when they were hit from behind by a hit-and-run vehicle. She was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with femur fracture and cervical spine fracture. She is not able to sit, stand, or walk and is in a lot of pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 16, Ann will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. The procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,451 to fund this procedure. Ann says, “I wish to be treated and leave the hospital when am much better. I still need to provide for my children."

Jefferson is a mechanic and a father of one son. His wife is a hair stylist. They live together in their ancestral land. In June 2017, Jefferson noticed a swelling growing under his skull. A CT scan shows that he has a meningioma, which causes him painful migraines. He also experiences numbness in his right hand, and he has not been able to work as much as he could previously. In October 2017, he was referred to our medical partner's care center. There, he will undergo a craniotomy on January 15. He now needs help to raise $1,495 to pay for this procedure. Jefferson says, “I wish to be treated and resume my normal duties. I don’t want complications that accompany this condition’s prognosis."

Baw is a 40-year-old woman who lives with her family in Umpeim Mai refugee camp in Thailand. Baw works as a treasurer of a community-based organization in the camp. Her husband works as a security guard at the same organization. All of her three children are students. Baw learned about her heart condition twelve years ago after she gave birth to her youngest son. After giving birth, the doctor informed her that she would no longer be able to have children due to her weak heart. Until 2016, Baw did not experience any symptoms relating to her heart condition. It was only in May 2016 that she started to feel extremely tired after strenuous activities. She gradually lost her appetite, had problems sleeping, and lost weight. Eventually, Baw went to the camp’s clinic. Finally, Baw was brought to Mae Sot Hospital where she received an echocardiogram and was diagnosed with atrial septal defect and severe mitral regurgitation. She was told that she would require surgery and was then referred to BCMF for financial assistance in undergoing the surgery. Baw's surgery is scheduled for October 30. She needs help raising $1,500.

Lek is a 14-year-old boy who lives with his uncle and two siblings in rural Cambodia. He helps his uncle collect beans to sell in the market in his spare time, and hopes to one day become a lawyer. Lek was born with scoliosis, which is progressing with age, making it difficult for him to sit in school for long periods and causing a lot of discomfort. Lek and his family visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, and the doctors have recommended Lek undergo surgery. Surgery can help correct the position of his spine, and prevent further worsening of the condition. His surgery is scheduled for October 9. The spinal surgery will cost $1,500, which Lek and his family do not have. Therefore, they are appealing to Watsi for financial assistance. After surgery, Lek will be on the road to recovery. He will hopefully be able to go back to school and continue his education. "I hope my nephew can get the help he needs to feel better," says his uncle.

Juliana is 31-year-old mother from Kenya. She has seven children who go to a local primary school. Her husband is a livestock herder. Juliana has epilepsy. In 2002, she had an epileptic episode and fell into hot water. In 2011, Juliana was feeding her young child near the fireplace when she had another epileptic episode. She fell into the fire and burned her arm. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was hospitalized for eight months. In 2014, Juliana burned her right hand. Now, her fingers cannot unfold anymore. Juliana feels pain when she is working and using her hands. She needs a skin graft and flap surgery to restore function to her right hand. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,063 to fund Juliana’s procedure, scheduled for June 26. “Before I got burned, I was a hardworking mother," Juliana says. "The community recognized my hard work. Now, I can’t even fetch firewood for my house because of the pain. My prayer is to get healed, so that I can work for my children."

Bartola is a 55-year-old woman who lives with five of her seven children in rural Guatemala. She works as a housewife, cleaning and cooking. In her free time, she weaves traditional Mayan textiles and takes care of her family. Bartola needs pterygium correction surgery. Common symptoms of a pterygium include redness, blurred vision, and eye irritation due to a growth that covers the white part of the eye. Bartola’s eyesight has been worsening for many years now, and her eyes bother her on a daily basis. Fortunately, with the help of our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, Bartola is scheduled to receive her treatment on August 3. She needs help raising $1,487 to fund treatment. Treatment for Bartola’s condition is straightforward. First, she will consult with a trusted eye specialist, and then receive correctional surgery and follow-up. The change to Bartola’s eyesight will be immediate and vision-saving. Bartola will be able to do her favorite activities again, such as weaving and going to church.

Lazarus is a 33-year-old father to two young children. For most of his life, Lazarus has worked as a daytime laborer, harvesting and moving sand for construction projects. Sadly, Lazarus was involved in a car accident that caused him to sustain various injuries, including a severe injury to his spinal cord. Directly after this incident, Lazarus was brought to a hospital in Kijabe (a town in Kenya) and was administered preliminary first aid. Upon returning home, his condition worsened quickly, and he returned to Kijabe the following day. Lazarus is scheduled to receive a spinal fusion surgery on May 10. This procedure uses bone to make a bridge between damaged vertebrae. This bone graft helps new bone grow and will hopefully help Lazarus recover from this debilitating injury. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), is requesting $1,500 to fund this operation. With Lazarus's uncertain financial situation and children in mind, Lazarus’s mother says, “I hope he gets well and can continue providing for his family."

Thorn is a 72-year-old farmer from Cambodia. She is married and has five daughters and three sons. When not working, Thorn enjoys looking after her granddaughter and gathering vegetables from her garden. In May 2017, Thorn developed a mass on her right eyebrow, causing her pain and swelling. Hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from a neighbor, she decided to seek treatment. On June 13, Thorn will undergo mass removal surgery to alleviate her pain and discomfort. CSC is asking for $224 to cover the cost of her treatment. After surgery, Thorn will be able to live comfortably again!

Baby Lesly lives in rural Guatemala with her family. She loves playing with her doll and rattle. Lesly's parents work hard as tomato farmers to support their family. Lesly has severe stunting as a result of malnutrition. Lesly has little energy to grow and is unable to put on weight. Her weakened immune system puts her at risk of contracting an infection. While malnutrition can have devastating effects, it is also very treatable. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), has enrolled Lesly into a treatment program that is set to begin on March 16. Lesly will be given medication and micronutrient supplements to help her recover. Her condition will be monitored by a nutritionist, and community care workers will teach her parents how to prepare nutrient-rich meals for their daughter. Lesly's parents wish for their daughter to grow up healthy and strong, but they cannot afford to pay for her treatment. WK is requesting $492 in donations to help support Lesly's recovery.