“Edwin is so happy all the time, I just want him to grow and be healthy,” Edwin’s mom tells us. Edwin is a four-year-old boy living in Guatemala. He has Down’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that results from an extra copy of chromosome 21. This condition causes delays in physical growth, as well as cognitive effects. “He is not growing well, and he has very limited motor and speech capabilities,” our partners at the Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK) medical center explain. “He needs physical and speech therapy so that he can gain these abilities, and he needs a thorough medical workup to rule out and treat the common causes of growth failure in Down’s syndrome, such as problems with the thyroid gland.” "With therapy, Edwin will begin to gain language and motor milestones, and he’ll be able to learn to help around the house and help with his own care. His social interactions will improve and, hopefully, he’ll be able to go to school as a result," WK continues. Edwin’s mother is raising him as a single mom, and it is often difficult for her to make ends meet. She is so excited about the prospect of seeing Edwin benefit from the therapy that WK can provide. For $1,385 we can fund this life changing therapy for Edwin and his mother – let's do it!

Meet Ken, a seven-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the third and youngest child in his family. Ken's legs are not developing normally. He struggles to walk because his left leg does not reach the ground. At school, Ken endures name-calling. His mom, Lydia has to ignore superstitious village opinions on her quest to seek medical help for her son. “He came home from school one day and told me that children in his school had a nickname for him because of the way he walked. In his childlike faith, he told me that God would heal him of the condition when he was older and then the children would stop laughing at him,” Lydia told the staff at CURE international, almost in tears. Ken needs a procedure called a left posterior tibialis tendon transfer. This involves transferring tendon from one part of his foot to another to give it proper support. For $1,000 the procedure will allow him to walk on two flat feet and relieve the pressure on the various joints that have had to compensate for the imbalance. His mother says, "I am eager for his healing, I want those who still hold backward beliefs and those who have laughed at me and my child to believe that there is indeed a God in heaven.” Let's help Ken get walking on two feet!

Say hello to Solina, a one-year-old from Haiti! Solina has hydrocephalus, a condition in which fluid accumulates in her skull. As a result, she has been experiencing coughs, fevers, vomiting, and seizures. Solina's mom is a small merchant who also works as a laborer to make ends meet. As we would imagine, her daughter's condition leaves her distraught. She knows the condition is treatable but cannot afford it. For $1,260, a surgical procedure can be performed that will drain the excess fluids in Solina's skull and will get rid of all the related symptoms. Solina's mom is deeply grateful for the care Solina has already received. She says, "I thank the nurses and doctors who are taking care of my baby because I couldn’t afford the care. When I was told they had to do a CT scan I cried because I couldn't afford it, but they did it anyway. After the treatment I am looking forward to continuing my business." We've come this far, let's go all the way and get Solina the complete treatment she needs!

Little Amos is two years old, the youngest of three siblings. His parents separated after his birth, and his mother depends on helping hands in her community in Kenya to support her family. Recently, Amos was brought to a hospital run by our partner institution, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, to assess painful swelling in his groin. Amos was diagnosed with a bilateral inguinal hernia, meaning that his abdominal muscles push through a tear in his groin muscle. Doctors say his condition can cause extreme complications if left untreated. It is through the help of members of his local community in Kenya that Amos was brought to the hospital, but his mother has no way of paying the $540 needed for his treatment. Without surgery to repair the hernia, Amos’ symptoms will only worsen and become more painful. His mother says, “I want my son to be free of pain, so that he can live a healthy life.” Let’s come together to help Amos get well!

Bira is a master mason living in Nepal with his son and five grandchildren! Recently, Bira was unable to pass stool, and in the days after, he started vomiting more often and felt severe abdominal pain. His daughter-in-law works as a community health volunteer, and after Bira saw a doctor, he was told that he has a small bowel obstruction. Doctors told him that it could be fatal if left untreated. For $1,170, we can fund Bira’s treatment so he can regain his health again and look after his children! Let's help Bira get back up to speed!

Ashley is a three-year-old girl who lives with her parents and three siblings in the central part of Haiti. "She smiles frequently and is curious about what is happening around her," writes a staff member of Haiti Cardiac Alliance, a Watsi medical partner. Ashley has a condition called patent ductus arteriosus, a hole in the heart that is normally present in a fetus but closes a few days after birth. Ashley's hole did not close on its own, and needs to be sewn shut with surgery. At present, blood flows through this hole before it can reach the lungs, depriving her body of oxygen and causing fatigue. For $1500, we can fund this little girl's surgery, allowing her to live a more active life and enjoy her childhood. Let's work together to keep Ashley smiling!

Dammara is a lively 17-year-old girl who wants to study to become a midwife. Unfortunately, she tripped and fell on her way to school and fractured her right leg. Dammara's fracture prevents her from helping her family herd buffalos at home and from going to school as she has severely limited mobility. For $1,040, we can fund Dammara’s surgery so she can get back to what she loves, helping her family and studying hard in the classroom.

Sebastian is a 33-year-old man who lives with his wife and six young children in Guatemala. For two years, a debilitating mass has been growing on Sebastian's neck. The swelling in his face has made breathing difficult for him. He has also lost most of the functionality in one of his arms. Our medical partner believes it is likely that Sebastian's condition is lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer. However, Sebastian and his wife have been turned away from multiple hospitals because they are unable to afford medical care. For $1,500, we can help Sebastian receive surgery and chemotherapy to remove his tumor and eliminate any present cancer, allowing him to return to work and take care of his family.

Reginah is a quiet 44-year-old mother from Kenya who is giving everything she has to taking care of her three children since her husband passed away. Unfortunately, Reginah has cervical dysplasia. She needs a total abdominal hysterectomy in order to eliminate the risk of cervical cancer, but because she earns money by doing small chores for her neighbors, she cannot afford the hysterectomy on her own. Reginah's surgery will cost $885. She tells her doctors that she “longs to see her children grow up and become independent.” Let's fund her treatment so she can watch them grow up without a health problem looming over her!