Widline is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three sisters on a small farm in central Haiti. She enjoys going to school and church. Widline has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of her heart was severely damaged by a rheumatic fever she suffered in childhood, and can no longer adequately pump blood through her body. Widline will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On October 29th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will attempt to repair her valve; if they are unable to do so, they will implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $7500.0 to pay for surgery. Widline's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. 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 Widline's family overseas. Widline's mother said, "Our family is praying for everyone who is helping our daughter get better!"

Kakada is sixteen years old and enjoys reading books, playing soccer, and listening to music. Since the age of five, Kakada started showing signs of a curve in his spine. Over time, the curve has worsened, and now the spine deformity causes difficulty breathing, sleeping, walking, and an overall uncomfortable life. Surgery will help to straighten out and realign his spine, allowing him to breath without difficulty and create a less straining posture while he walks, eliminating discomfort. Kakada's favorite subject in school is Khmer literature, and he hopes to become a doctor when he grows up. "I hope that after surgery, I will not have to worry about my son's spine getting any worse and I will be happy that he can return to his normal activities again." -Kakada's Mother

Jean is a mother of two from Haiti. She lives in a small city in southern Haiti with her husband and two young boys. Jean has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves in her heart has been severely damaged due to a rheumatic fever she suffered several years ago. Jean will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On September 11th, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove her damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano, is contributing $35,000 to pay for surgery. Jean's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. 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 Jean's family overseas. "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can play with my children and take care of them."

Denis is a baby from Tanzania. He has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Denis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on August 13. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Denis's clubfoot repair. His mother says, "“I wouldn’t want my son to feel different due to his condition please help my son I want him to grow up just like his older brother.”

Wycliff is a student from Kenya. He has clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Wycliff traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on June 28. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Wycliff's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily.

Mu is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. Mu and her husband are farmers who own land and harvest rice and beans. They use most of their crops to sustain their family, and sell any additional harvest for profit. March 2019, Mu has been experiencing pain and discomfort in her lower abdominal area. She has been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Mu's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Mu is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on June 10. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. “I really hope the mass is not cancerous. I am so grateful that I am able to have this surgery, but I am scared that I’ll need further treatment,” Mu says.

Dina is a 21-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. In his free time, he likes to play soccer, help the family around the house, and listen to music. In January 2019, Dina was involved in a motorcycle accident that caused paralysis in his arm. He has been diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury on his right side. The brachial plexus is a nerve network that transmits signals from the spine to the shoulder, arm, and hand. Injuries to this nerve network can result in loss of function and sensation. He is unable to use his right arm or hand, and is unable to work on the rice farm. Dina traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On May 9, he will undergo a brachial plexus repair surgery. Surgery will help to restore movement and sensation to damaged nerves, allowing Dina to use his arm again. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $637 to fund this procedure. He says, "I hope that after surgery, I will be able to move my arm normally again and can go back to work."

Mavelt is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents and younger brother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. He likes watching cartoons and drawing. Mavelt has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This condition involves several related defects including a hole between two chambers of the heart, and a muscular blockage of one of the valves. Mavelt will fly to the United States to receive treatment. On April 19, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in his heart with a patch, and remove the muscular blockage. Another organization, HeartGift Foundation, is contributing $18,000 to pay for surgery. Mavelt's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. 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 Mavelt's family overseas. His mother says, "My son's heart has been making him very sick, and so I was very happy to learn he can have surgery!"

Lenkai is a baby from Kenya. He has clubfoot of his left foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lenkai traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on March 10. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Lenkai's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk easily.

Titus is a child from Kenya. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Titus lives with his parents. Titus was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Titus has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Titus will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 31. AMHF is requesting $459 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “We love our boy so much and would like to see him grow up like other children. We hope Watsi will support us so that he can get well and grow up like other boys,” says Titus's mother.

Der Lwel is an 18-year-old boy who lives with his parents and two younger brothers in Ta Kue Khee Village, Kyain Seikgyi Township, Karen State, Burma. He and his parents work as subsistence farmers, while his two younger brothers are students. Two years ago, Der Lwel broke his lower back bone. The next day, he received internal fixation surgery. After the surgery, he learned that he would need to come back in two years to have the metal screws removed. Now, he is scheduled to undergo surgery to remove the metal screws on February 13. This procedure will cost $1,500. Der Lwel said, “I feel very uncomfortable and I have pain when I bend over while planting or harvest rice. I want to receive treatment and work comfortably like I did before I got injured.”

Chhum is a market inventory manager from Cambodia. He has one son, two daughters, and four grandchildren. Three years ago, Chhum developed a cataract in each eye, causing him burning, itchiness, irritation, and clouded lenses. He has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Chhum learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for two hours seeking treatment. On January 10, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, he will be able to see clearly. Now, he needs help to fund this $398 procedure. He says, "I hope my surgery is successful so I can see clearly and easily do my work."