Dotto is a 25-year old-man from Tanzania. He is the second of seven children, and he lives with his parents. When Dotto was ten years old, his legs started to bend. His parents never sought medical treatment, but when they saw a neighboring child who had been treated, they finally visited our medical partner. On November 22, Dotto underwent corrective surgery. This procedure will prevent further pain or bending in his legs. Now, his family needs help to raise $940 to cover his medical costs. Dotto expressed amazement that his condition could be treated, and he shared his gratitude with donors.

Srey Ol is a 29-year-old farmer who lives with her husband and daughter in Cambodia. In her free time, she likes to stay at home, cook food, and clean her home. On July 9, 2016, Srey Ol was hit by a motorbike, fracturing her left lower leg bones (tibia and fibula). After the accident, she was seen in a hospital in her hometown, where she got a cast. Srey Ol then traveled to Vietnam for further treatment and an external fixation was placed. In an external fixation, pins are inserted through the skin into the bone and held in place by an external frame. Even after treatment, Srey Ol is in pain, and it is difficult for her to walk. She heard about Children's Surgical Centre (CSC) from her brother. She traveled for six hours with her brother to reach CSC for evaluation and treatment. For $411, Srey Ol will undergo a tibial fracture treatment in which CSC doctors will use a frame to correct her tibia, allowing her to walk normally and without pain. Funding for Srey Ol also covers the costs of two weeks of hospital care, including X-rays, lab tests, food, and physical therapy. After the procedure, Srey Ol will be able to go home and continue her work as a farmer.

Meet Andy, an 18-month-old infant from Guatemala. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us, “Andy is the only child in his family and lives with his parents in a one-room adobe house with a tin roof. He enjoys playing with his cat and eating ramen noodles. His mother works at home, cooks, cleans, and takes care of the children. His father is a day laborer in the fields, who makes only a couple dollars per day.” Andy was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. “Andy is below the average height and the average weight for his age,” WK reports, ”He currently is not consuming enough calories and enough quality foods. As a result his physical growth is stunted, and we worry his mental growth will be stunted as well.” As a result of food insecurity and marginalization, indigenous Guatemalan villages have the highest rates of stunting in the world. In addition to growth stunting, malnutrition can lead to lower IQ, heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. $512 will fund the treatment Andy needs to address his nutritional deficit and improve his low energy and subsequent limited mental potential. This involves micronutrient and food supplementation, deworming medication to rid Andy of a parasitic infection, and nutrition education for his parents. With these combined efforts, Andy will recoup his weight and height and strengthen his immune system, laying the foundation for a healthier future.

Romart is a 17-month-old boy from the Philippines, who is dearly loved by his parents. He enjoys playing and entertaining his mother by dancing, and he giggles a lot. Romart was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. His parents are worried for him, but they could not bring him to a doctor because their limited source of income is from collecting garbage and selling it in a small junk shop. On occasion, Romart's father works as a "sakada", a sugarcane laborer in the fields near their town to earn $3 a day. His parents just want what is best for Romart, and after surgery they hope Romart will grow up normally like other children. "We really couldn't believe that help could be given to us. At first, we were afraid that Romart needed surgery, but the doctor explained to us that this is the best way for Romart to heal. I am very thankful for your help and I pray for a successful surgery for my son," his mother shared. $1,437 will fund the hernia repair surgery that Romart needs. Let's help make it possible.

Diego lives alone with his mother in a one-room adobe house that is rented from family members. Diego's mother does not work, and is currently borrowing money from family members to pay for living expenses. She does not have enough money to buy much food for herself some days, and buying formula is just not something that she could ever afford, even if she sold all of her belongings. Diego's step father has left Diego's home and has not been back (we have verified that Diego and his mother are in a safe home situation). His mother is unable to breastfeed Diego. Now, Diego is losing weight extremely quickly and faces the life-threatening danger of getting diarrhea, fever, or an acute respiratory infection. Our community health worker had to give Diego empirical treatment before beginning formal treatment with out nutritionist to prevent a life-threatening situation. With $1016, Diego can receive proper nutrient supplementation. Although Diego's condition is severe, it is very treatable. He will receive formula which will give him the calories, nutrients, and protein he needs to grow and develop normally. His mother will receive motivational nutrition education so she knows what and when to feed her child to prevent future cases of malnutrition. Diego's mother shared: "I dream that my son will be a good student and be able to become a professor."

Fredrick is a 29-year-old farmer from Malawi. He lives with his parents and helps support them with the small profits he makes from selling Irish potatoes. Eighteen months ago, Fredrick started experiencing abdominal pain associated with an inguinal hernia. He was unable to seek medical treatment until now. An inguinal hernia is a protrusion of the intestines through a weak region in the abdominal muscles. The protrusion presents as a painful bulge in the groin, and the pain increases with coughing, bending at the waist, or lifting heavy objects. Without treatment, Fredrick is at risk of intestinal obstruction or strangulation, which can be life-threatening. For $613, Fredrick will undergo hernia repair surgery. During the procedure, surgeons push the protruding tissue back into the abdomen and sew together the weakened muscle with pieces of synthetic mesh. Over time, muscle tissue grows into and around the mesh to strengthen the area. Funding for Fredrick also covers the costs of three days of hospital care, including blood tests and medicine, as well as travel and meals for Fredrick and two caregivers. Fredrick is very excited about his hernia repair, and he is optimistic that everything will go well.

Etan is a 21-month-old boy who enjoys playing with toys and taking walks with his mother near their home in Ethiopia. Etan was born with a birth defect of the urethra called hypospadias. This means that the urinary tract opening is not at the usual location at the head of the penis. In Etan's case, the urethral opening is both at the head of the penis and under the penis. As a result, he cannot pass urine while standing as other boys do because the urine leaks at the second opening. It has been hard for Etan's mother to pay for the surgery that her son needs, as she is a single mother with a low income from her work as a hotel waitress. She sought treatment for him at two other hospitals, but because of lack of money, he has not yet been treated. She is also worried about the social stigma and potential medical complications that Etan may face. “I am always thinking about my son's future when he goes to school," she shares. "I am sure he will face medical complications and discrimination and that worries me a lot.” For $1,155, Etan will undergo hypospadias repair, a procedure in which a surgeon takes tissue grafts from the foreskin to cover the opening on the underside of the penis. Funding also covers the costs of 14 days of hospital care after surgery, lab work, imaging, and medicine. We expect a hypospadias repair will enable Etan pass urine normally. He will be free from the risk of urinary tract infections and infertility in the future, and he will have a chance to grow up normally and healthy.

Meet Samuel, a 35-year-old father of four who lives with his wife, mother, and children in Kenya. In 2014, Samuel began experiencing migraines, blurred vision, and loss of balance. After visiting our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), Samuel was diagnosed with a benign pituitary tumor. "If not treated," AMHF reports, "Samuel may continue experiencing the painful head migraines and risk having complete blindness. There is also a chance of the tumor increasing and causing further complications on Samuel’s health." The recommended treatment for this condition is an interhemispheric parietal craniotomy, where the tumor will be removed after the parietal lobe is exposed. AMHF is confident that this procedure will improve Samuel's life and shares, "Samuel’s vision shall be restored and the painful migraines will end. Chances of further tumor complications will be reduced." As a result of his condition, Samuel is no longer able to attend his work as a cart operator. And, although his wife washes clothes to help support the family, her income is not enough to cover Samuel's operation. However, with a donation of $1,205, we can help Samuel get back on his feet. Samuel tells us, “I want to get well and be able to provide for my family and support my mother.”

14-year-old Rajesh "is the captain of the volleyball team in his village," shares our medical partner, Possible. Recently, he injured himself during a game and fractured his left elbow. Rajesh lives with his parents and younger sisters in Nepal. His family works on a farm, and Rajesh helps out by tending to the cattle and looking after his younger sisters. His father told our medical partner, Possible, that Rajesh is “excellent at sports” and that he hopes that this injury does not affect his mobility. Rajesh needs proper medical treatment and time to heal, but his family cannot afford the $579 fracture treatment he needs. Treatment consists of surgery to align Rajesh’s fractured bones, and casting to ensure proper healing. Let’s help make surgery possible for Rajesh!

Mamerta is a 45-year-old mother from the Philippines. With her husband, she runs a small business selling snacks. “In her spare time she is fond of making delicious snacks for her children,” our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM), tells us. Mamerta has developed a goiter; an abnormally enlarged thyroid gland. This manifests as a bulge in her neck. Because of the goiter, “Mamerta experiences physical discomfort when she does many things, such as carrying heavy things, working house chores for long hours, and there is slight discomfort when eating solid food,” explains ICM. Mamerta needs a thyroidectomy, or surgical removal of her thyroid gland. This surgery would normally not be affordable for Mamerta, as she and her husband barely bring in enough income from selling snacks to support themselves and their children. However, for $1,500, we can fund the procedure she needs. Not only will funding cover Mamerta’s thyroidectomy, but it will also pay for her transportation to and from the hospital, and all post-operative care. “Thank you so much for paving the way to my healing,” Mamerta shares. “After the treatment, I am excited to feel better and take care of my family without any difficulty.”

Meet Dulce, a 16-month girl living in Guatemala with five other siblings, including a twin sister. As a happy child, Dulce enjoys playing with all her siblings, especially her twin. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK), says that the family is struggling to provide for the twins, and 10 months ago, the switch from breast milk to solid food made their financial situation even more difficult. Because of this, "Dulce is frequently ill with diarrhea. Now she is at risk for the long-term effects of malnutrition," WK explains. Without medical intervention, she will begin to develop abnormally and her immune system will weaken. Ultimately, Dulce's brain will not be able to develop to its full potential, leading to decreased academic performance, and diminished productivity in the work force. With $512 in funding, Dulce can receive acute malnutrition treatment including medication for her gastrointestinal infection, oral and intravenous food supplements, and vitamins to boost her immune system. "Her mother will be given the educational tools to prevent malnutrition in any future children she may have, and better care for Dulce and her siblings for years to come," WK says. With these various treatments, WK believes Dulce can fully recover and return to normal growth. Her mother shares that Dulce and her twin sister "are so beautiful and I love them both, but worry we cannot provide for them what they need. Help and support would change everything for us."

Htun is a 52-year-old mother of five children who lives with her family in Burma, and works hard around the family's farm, tending to the home and her loved ones. Several years ago while Htun was lifting something heavy, she felt a mass protrude from her vagina. She tells our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), that she "visited a local midwife, but the midwife did not know what her condition was. Htun did not receive any assistance from the midwife so she returned home and tried to use traditional medicine without any success." She has since been diagnosed with uterine prolapse, a condition that causes her uterus to protrude from her vagina, often times causing bleeding and pain. Htun is self conscious of her condition and says: "I don't want to go outside the house because when I am walking my uterus slips and protrudes." Even with this discomfort, she continues working around the house. Her husband grows and sells fruits and vegetables, and her daughter works in a factory. Despite that, "the combined income of the family is not always enough to cover the food costs," let alone her medical expenses. $1,500 will cover the cost of surgery to repair Htun's condition. After the surgery, "she will no longer feel embarrassed and will be able to resume other activities. Additionally, she will no longer have back pain or pain associated with the prolapse." "I want to be able to walk outside without being afraid," Htun adds.