Sarah is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, brothers, and sisters in a rural area in the mountains of central Haiti. Her parents are both farmers. Sarah has graduated kindergarten but is not attending first grade this year because of her illness. Sarah has a cardiac condition called Tetralogy of Fallot. This diagnosis involves several related defects, including a hole between two chambers of the heart and a blockage of one of the valves. Sarah will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 10, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole in her heart with a patch and remove the muscular blockage in her valve. Another organization, Health City Cayman Islands, is contributing $22,000 to pay for surgery. Sarah'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 Sarah's family overseas. Her aunt says, "Our family is very excited for Sarah's surgery so that she can be healthy and safe, and can go to school."

Srey Ley is six years old and in the first grade. She has three sisters and one brother. She likes to watch cartoons on TV and play with other children around her home. Srey Ley was diagnosed with meningoencephalocele, a condition in which an abnormal sac of fluid and tissue extends through the skull. She has undergone two surgeries to treat her condition. She returned to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), for further repair of her right eyelid. On November 30, CSC surgeons performed a repair surgery. After recovery, she will feel more comfortable. Now, her family needs help to fund this $450 procedure. "I hope my daughter will look better and have no pain," says Srey Ley's father.

Dennis is a 23-year-old father to one son. He is a hardworking man and a loving husband to his wife. Dennis and his family live in a small bamboo house in the Philippines. His wife stays at home with their son while he works as a contractual laborer, making about $80 a month. Three years ago, Dennis felt pain in his inguinal area but did not have any consultation because of financial issues. The pain worsened while he was working as a laborer because he was lifting heavy objects at work. Dennis was unable to stop working as his income was the only financial means for his family. Dennis verbalized that he wants to be a reliable provider for his family and now that he is already a father, his first priority is their welfare, even though it means sacrificing his own comforts. Dennis really desires to give his best to provide the needs of their family. Dennis was screened at International Care Ministries, one of Watsi's medical partners. He underwent a series of tests and was diagnosed with an inguinal hernia. The doctor strongly suggested that he undergo an emergency operation because Dennis' condition is getting worse. However, Dennis and his family cannot afford the treatment because Dennis' income is only enough for their daily needs. $1,437 will fund Dennis' hernia repair. After the surgery, he is looking forward to seeking a more stable job and to spend time with his family. "I did not expect that my condition would be given attention," shared Dennis. "Now that I have my own family, they are my number one priority and I thought I would have this condition forever. A fellow father may know how I feel. I am thankful that there are still people who are willing to help me. Thank you so much, it means a lot."

Alejandro is a 16 year old teenager from Guatemala; he has six sisters and one older brother, who, like Alejandro, was born with club foot. In addition to the club foot, Alejandro also has a currently undiagnosed genetic condition that has caused tumors on his face and in other parts of his body. Approximately one infant in every 1000 live births will have clubfoot, making the condition a common one. Most cases, however, are successfully treated shortly after birth with nonsurgical methods such as stretching and casting. “His parents are extremely caring and want what is best for their youngest child, but he lives in an extremely rural area in northern Guatemala, and so they cannot afford nor do they have access to the care he needs or a prosthesis of any kind,” explains our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). For all of Alejandro’s life, “he has never been able to walk and so his father carries him everywhere that he goes, or he crawls on his hands and knees,” says WK. Two months ago, Alejandro received surgery to correct his club foot. $1252 will help Alejandro obtain prosthesis which will enable him to walk on his own. With this new independence, the shy teenager will finally begin to have the confidence and ability to attend school and make friends in his community. “He was born with his disability,” said Alejandro’s father, “But we were lucky that he was a good boy-he slept and ate well.” He adds, “we just want what is best for him."

"I want to watch my children grow up, and I want to be able to work and take care of my family," says Nicholas, a 35-year-old Kaqchikel-speaking man from Guatemala. Nicholas is dealing with kidney failure thought to have occurred because of uncontrolled high blood pressure. Because of fatigue and other symptoms, he's unable to work and care for his family right now, including two young children. Which also means that he cannot afford kidney treatment for himself. He needs dialysis to get healthy. Nicholas was referred to Watsi's medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq' (WK), and the WK team is ready to help. "We'll get Nicholas' dialysis treatments on track," they tell us. "We'll fix his severe anemia and heart failure symptoms with medications. This will save his life, and it will allow him to have energy to care for his children and work to provide them with economic support."