Anastasia is a 12-month-old baby girl from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three older siblings in a small village in eastern Haiti where her parents are both farmers. Anastasia has a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, meaning that a hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through her lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her weak and short of breath. Anastasia also has Down syndrome. Our medical partner Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Anastasia which is especially challenging as the treatment she needs is not available within Haiti. On August 2nd, she will fly to the Dominican Republic to undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch so that blood can no longer leak through it. HCA is subsidizing $8,000 of the cost of transportation and treatment, and Anastasia's family is asking for $1,500 to help to fund the costs of surgery prep, labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It will support passport obtainment and the social workers from HCA who will accompany Anastasia's family overseas. Anastasia's mother shared, "Our family would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping to fix our daughter's heart."

Leon is a young boy from Kenya. When he was born in 2019, he was diagnosed with bilateral cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. His parents did not know what to do and didn't know where to turn for help. In 2020, his mother told some friends about Leon’s condition. They advised her to take him to a nearby hospital where he was examined, and a scan was recommended. They did not have money for the scan and had not sought any medical intervention since then. Recently, his mother told another friend who, upon learning about Leon’s condition, referred them to our medical partner's care center BethanyKids. On arrival, Leon was examined and scheduled for surgery. Leon is the first born in a family of two children. He lives with his mother who does jobs like pruning coffee, doing laundry for people, and plowing farms to provide for their family. Leon's brother is a newborn, and his mother is taking time off work to take care of him. She is now relying on Leon’s grandfather to temporarily support the family. If left untreated, Leon has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Fortunately, Leon will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). He is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on October 28th. AMHF is requesting $646 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Leon’s grandfather says, “I really want to help my grandchild so that he can have a good future like the other children.”

Moses is a teenager from Kenya, who is doing well in school. Moses’s mother is a stay-at-home mom while his father is employed casually as a taxi driver. Moses is the oldest of three children. He lives with his parents and younger siblings in a two-roomed rental house in Central Kenya. Moses was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remains undescended. If left untreated, Moses has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Moses will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on March 10th. AMHF is requesting $535 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. “I have researched about the condition and I am quite stressed. Please help me,” says Moses.

Aye is a 14-year-old girl from Thailand. She lives with her family in Mae La Refugee Camp, Tak Province. In 2018, Aye experienced extreme pain and her mother took her to the hospital in the camp. There, the medic performed an ultrasound test and found a mass near her uterus. Currently Aye is suffering from severe lower back and lower abdominal pain. The mass is quite big and makes it uncomfortable for her to sit down. Aye sought treatment through our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund. She is now scheduled to undergo mass removal surgery on May 3. She is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care.

Kasinjeni is a farmer and father to six from Malawi. During this free time, he likes to watch football and spend time with his 18 grandchildren. Since January 2019, Kasinjeni has been experiencing urinary difficulty and pain. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Kasinjeni's surgery. On April 9, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. He is happy about the surgery and his family is thankful. He is looking forward to working again without pain. He says, "Thank you Watsi for this assistance."

Nicholas is a boy from Kenya. He is an only child. Nicholas was born with a perfect hearing. Unfortunately, when he was four, he had meningitis and lost his hearing. This has interrupted his social and academic life. Upon audiogram testing, he had hearing aids recommended. Now, he is scheduled to receive hearing aids on March 5. His family needs help raising $929. Nicholas’s father says, “My prayer is to have my son treated and resume his hearing ability. I am hopeful that it will be possible for him to talk with ease again."

Folani is a father to 7 and grandfather to 4 from Malawi. Folani is a farmer who enjoys chatting with his friends. Since 2016, Folani has been experiencing pain and urinary difficulty. These symptoms are caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia. He needs to undergo a prostate resection surgery, a procedure in which surgeons will remove part of the enlarged gland. Our medical partner, World Altering Medicine, is requesting $733 to fund Folani's surgery. On January 29, he will undergo prostate surgery at Nkhoma Hospital, our medical partner's care center. The requested money pays for supplies, medications, and two weeks of hospital stay. Folani was very happy to hear he would have surgery and thankful he will be able to start working normally again. He says, "I am very thankful for this project."

Lemi is a baby from Ethiopia. He is the third child in his family. He loves to play and laugh with people. Lemi was born with an abnormal bowel condition. He underwent a surgery that offered a temporary solution, but he needs to undergo another surgery to fully repair the condition. This procedure is scheduled for January 15 and will cost $1,500. His mother says, "We are financially struggling to pay for medication and to provide him treatment." Let's help Lemi's family raise money for surgery!

Jilungu is a child from Tanzania. His parents are farmers. Jilungu 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, Jilungu traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on December 5. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $890 to fund Jilungu's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk. Jilungu’s father says, “Please help my son.”

Nolan is a child from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of two children. For two years, Nolan has been experiencing flu-like symptoms, trouble breathing, low appetite, and sleep apnea. Frequent illness has caused the family to make repeated trips to hospitals for his care. Nolan was recently diagnosed with enlarged tonsils, which, if not treated, will cause his symptoms to persist and possibly intensify over time. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $633 to fund a tonsillectomy for Nolan, which is scheduled to take place on October 19. Surgeons will remove his tonsils, hopefully relieving Nolan of his symptoms and helping him live more comfortably. Nolan’s mother says, “I hope that my son will be able to sleep soundly without suffering of sleep apnea and that he will have a good childhood.”

Nathan is a student from Haiti. He lives with his parents and two older sisters in Port-au-Prince. He has just started kindergarten. Nathan has a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus. A hole exists between two major blood vessels near the heart. Blood leaks through this hole, leaving him short of breath and causing heart failure. On October 7, he will undergo cardiac surgery at St. Damien Hospital, our medical partner's care center. During surgery, surgeons will tie off the hole so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization, Gift of Life International, is contributing $5,000 to pay for surgery. Nathan's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 requested by our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, covers cardiac exams and medications. His mother says, "I am looking forward to letting my son play outside without worrying about him!"

Myint is a woman from Burma. She lives with her husband and two children. Her husband is a motorcycle taxi driver, while Myint takes care of her children. Myint was diagnosed with a heart condition that involves a malformation of the mitral valve, the valve between the left atrium and left ventricle. This valve controls the flow of blood, but certain conditions may cause blood to flow backward or the valve to narrow. Currently, Myint has difficulty breathing and no appetite. She is always tired and has pain under her lower ribs. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Myint. The treatment is scheduled to take place on September 2 and, once completed, will hopefully allow her to live more comfortably.