"I know my parents have been very worried because they know that our family is not in a position to pay for the treatment I need," shares Joyce. "They are also scared of what the outcome of the surgery will be. I am very grateful to Watsi for making it possible for me to be treated." 16-year-old Joyce lives in Kenya with her parents and four other siblings. For the past three months, Joyce has been experiencing blurred vision, headaches, and a lack of stability when walking. She was subsequently diagnosed with a brain tumor. "Joyce is unable to attend classes because of severe headache and general drowsiness caused by the tumor in her brain," says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). "Her performance in school has drastically declined, making her teachers and parents concerned. Joyce loves school and hopes to get well soon so that she can go back to school." For $1260, we can fund a craniotomy to remove Joyce's tumor. AMHF expects that Joyce will make a full recovery, and be able to return to school. She will be able to live without any of her current symptoms. "All Joyce's parents wish for is for their daughter to be heathy again. They are deeply saddened that they have not been able to raise the funds necessary for Joyce's treatment," says AMHF. Joyce has big dreams for when she's able to get back to school. "I want to become a surgeon when I grow up. I love Science and Mathematics," she tells us.

Meet Liberte, a three-year-old girl from Haiti. Liberte lives with her mother, grandmother, and several other family members in the countryside where they grow corn and other crops. She loves to sing at church, and eat chicken. “Liberte was born with multiple holes between the two lower chambers (ventricles) of her heart," explains our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This impedes normal blood flow through her body." HCA tells us that as a result of the disease, “she has been slow to develop and gain weight, and sometime ago she suffered a stroke that has affected her left side.” “She has not yet started preschool in part because of her heart condition,” continues HCA. $1,500 will fund the surgery to repair the defect in Liberte’s heart. “Following the closure of the defect, normal blood flow should be restored to Liberte’s heart and she should not have further need for surgery in the future,” HCA adds. “I want to say thank you to everyone who is helping my daughter get better,” shares Liberte’s mother.

“Thank you for supporting my son’s treatment. I look forward to taking him home after he is treated,” shares Humphrey’s mother. Meet Humphrey, a two-month-old baby boy and only child to his young parents. Humphrey was born with spina bifida, which has resulted in an open mass on his lower back. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), “If surgery is not done soon, Humphrey is likely to develop an infection, tethered cord and kyphosis or scholiosis.” Until recently, Humphrey’s mother ran a small business, but now she needs to stay at home to take care of him. His father works as a casual laborer, cutting down overgrown trees and bushes around homes. Humphrey’s parents have been unable to raise the required funds for his surgery. For $805, we can provide Humphrey with a spina bifida closure, which will surgically correct his spina bifida. “Humphrey’s treatment will ensure that he is no longer at risk of infections and will have a normal and healthy life,” explains AMHF.

“I am still young and I hope to be able to work and have my own family,” says James, filled with hope. Meet James, a 33-year-old young man from Kenya. James used to work as a bus conductor, a job that took care of his basic needs. In 2014, James was involved in a hit and run road traffic accident, which resulted in a fractured tibia. He is in pain and is unable to use his right leg. James was taken to a hospital where the surgeon advised he undergo an open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) surgery. The surgery has not been done because James cannot afford it as he is no longer working due to his broken leg. If not treated, the bones will fail to unite completely and James will be unable to walk and earn a living. For $1,125, James will receive the ORIF surgery. “We expect after an ORIF, the bones will unite and James will be able to use his legs again,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, begins to explain. “James will be able to work so that he can support himself and also achieve his dream of raising a family.” Let’s give James the treatment he needs to continue living his life!

“My daughter’s condition has caused me much stress and worry. I am really worried that the mass will grow and cover my baby’s eye and give her long-term problems. I really want my daughter to be completely healthy and have a better life than we have,” says Wan Nam’s mother. Wan Nam, a seven-month-old girl from Thailand, has a benign tumor below her left eye. After receiving a CT scan, Wan Nam’s doctors decided that she would need surgery to have the bump removed. "Although it doesn’t currently cause her any physical discomfort it could grow larger and further obstruct her development," they explain. Wan Nam’s “father works as a construction laborer and her mother is a full-time care giver," continues our medical partner. The family, though, is unable to afford treatment. For $1500, we can pay to remove Wan Nam’s mass. “She will be able to grow up as a normal, healthy baby and her parents will be able to stop worrying about her condition," her doctors say.

"Jackson was born with congenital deformity of the feet," his doctors write, "which later on will affect his gait and restrict his mobility if not treated." Jackson is a baby boy from Tanzania who was born with clubfoot, a condition which causes his feet to grow inwards instead of straight, and makes walking painful. "Jackson’s parents badly need financial support so that their son can get the help he needs," Jackson's medical team says. "They rely on farming and that does not bring in enough cash to cover their basic needs as well as Jackson’s treatment. Jackson is very active. He likes to jump on her mother’s laps and enjoys to be carried around." Jackson's mother adds, “Our hope is for our son to be able to walk when the time comes. Being able to walk properly will give him the freedom to walk to school and the ability to do other things with ease." With $1,160, we can fund Jackson's surgery, repair his feet, and enable him to get a healthy start at life -- and one day, school!

Meet three-year-old Martin from Kenya. He is the only child to his young mother, who is also supported by her parents so she can care for her baby boy. Recently Martin had an accident and burned his left leg. "Martin’s mother had lit a kerosene lamp one day and placed it next to the bed where Martin was sleeping," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. "She rushed to a nearby shop and when she returned she found that the lamp had fallen on the bed. Neighbors came in and assisted in putting out the blaze before rushing baby Martin to the hospital." The burn on Martin's leg is making it difficult for him to walk. But for $1125 surgeons at AMHF's hospital will be able to perform a contracture release surgery. "We expect that Martin will be able to walk well after the surgery and he will live a normal life," the AMHF team writes about expected outcomes for Martin if the procedure is performed. “I want my son to walk normally again," says Martin's mother hopefully. Let's turn her hope into a reality by funding Martin's care.