Edson is a six-month-old baby who lives in Guatemala. His best friend is his twin brother. For the first two months of their lives, their mother was able to breastfeed them. However, when she was diagnosed with a virus, she could no longer safely breastfeed her sons. Edson's mother bought the twins an initial supply of formula, but it is too expensive for her to continue buying it. Edson's limited diet has led to malnutrition. To stabilize his condition, Edson was given a preliminary supply of formula at our medical partner's care center, Clinic Miller. Now, the clinic's nutritionist is creating a formal nutritional treatment plan for Edson. Edson will begin malnutrition treatment on January 17. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, is asking for $1,107 in funds to provide Edson with nutritious formula. The funds will also cover the cost of health education for Edson's mother. One-on-one motivational education will teach her how to identify signs of malnutrition and how to create a nutritious, inexpensive diet for Edson. “I hope my son recuperates and attains a normal height and weight,” says Edson's mother. With the formula, Edson’s immune system will strengthen, and he will grow to be a healthy, energetic baby!

Hong Ly is a one-year-old boy from Cambodia. He lives with his parents and two siblings. In December, Hong Ly burned the middle finger of his right hand. He developed a contracture, which means that the skin around the burned area is painfully tight. This restricts his mobility and makes it difficult for him to use right hand. Hong Ly's parents knew about our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre, because his grandmother had surgery there before. Hong Ly and his mother traveled three hours to reach the center for care. Hong Ly is scheduled to receive treatment on January 17. Our medical partner is requesting $194 to cover the cost of the operation, in which surgeons will graft skin onto Hong Ly’s middle finger, allowing him to regain full use of his right hand.

23-month-old Supa is the first and only child of her parents. She was born with spina bifida, a condition causing an open mass on the spine. Recently, the mass started to leak, intensifying Supa's risk of infection and spinal damage. Fortunately, she will undergo a spina bifida closure on January 5. Supa’s mother is a laundress, and his father is a construction worker. The family lives in a rental house in the Nairobi suburbs. They need help to fund this $1,097 procedure. Supa's parents are hopeful about this treatment, and they want to see her excel in the future. “I am still nervous," says Supa's mother, "but I am looking forward to her treatment. I will appreciate if we get help, since Supa is very precious to us."

Rain is a three-year-old boy from the Philippines. He lives with his parents in a bamboo house. His father, Romeo, is a farmer. Rain likes to play balay-balay. In this game, he and his friends construct a house with blankets, pillows, and bath towels and pretend to be a family. Rain has been diagnosed with moderately acute malnutrition. He began $184 malnutrition treatment on October 20. He is being treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian, or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, and organic vegetable gardening. Rain's parents hope that he becomes a teacher in the future.

One-month-old Dickson is the first child born to his parents. His mother works at a small drug store as a store keeper and his father is a small-scale farmer – he relies on growing maize and beans. Apart from being born with congenital bilateral clubfoot, Dickson is a cute baby, healthy and growing without problems. Bilateral clubfoot is a birth defect in which the foot is twisted out of shape or position. Doctors at Watsi's medical partner recommended surgery so Dickson will be able to walk normally in the future. The cost of treating clubfoot is just too high for Dickson's parents to afford. Treatment, which costs $1,160, will prevent him from using the lateral aspect of his feet for walking when he starts to walk. “We just pray that our son’s feet can be straightened to allow him to walk like other children and later on go to school,” shares Dickson’s mother.

Sophea is a 59-year-old woman who is married with three daughters and six grandchildren. She lives in Cambodia and enjoys watching the news and visiting the pagoda to listen the monks pray. Sophea developed a pterygium (benign growth of conjunctiva) in each eye six years ago. This causes her blurred vision, irritation, burning, and tearing. She can't see clearly, do work well, or get around outside on her own. Thus, she traveled three hours with her daughter to reach Children's Surgical Centre for treatment. For only $150, Sophea will undergo a pterygium excision surgery in each eye, during which the conjunctiva growths will be removed. She will then be able to see clearly again and her pain, burning, and irritation will be relieved. "I hope I feel comfortable after my surgery so I can easily watch TV and look after my grandchildren," shares Sophea.

“John has a leaking mass swelling on his lower back. He is at a risk of developing tethered cord syndrome that can lead to either Scoliosis and or Kyphosis and getting perilous infections if he does not receive treatment,” Our medical partner, African Medical Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) explains. John is a newborn baby boy. His parents moved into a remote village in Central Kenya to begin a new life for themselves and their two children. They were thrilled to discover John's mother was pregnant. After John's birth on April 3rd, 2016, his parents were immediately referred to seek specialized treatment for their son. Surgery is required to treat John but unfortunately, his parents are unable to raise the whole amount required. John’s parents practice farming on a small piece of leased land where they sell vegetables which gives them very little. John’s siblings only got to see him for one day and they are eagerly waiting for his return back home. $805 will cover the cost of John’s spina bifida closure. John’s parents have contributed $104 to his treatment. “John’s treatment will prevent the risk of infection,” AMHF shares. “I was shocked to hear of my son's condition. We depend on the little income from farming in the land we have leased and it is not enough to cater for this surgery. I hope Watsi can help us get our son treated,” John’s mother shares.

Fidel is a 18-month-old baby living in a rental house in Kenya with his parents and three older siblings. Fidel’s father works as a trader, and his mother takes care of the children at home. Fidel’s parents have high hopes for him and their other children, and are working to put them through school and pursue successful careers. A few weeks ago, Fidel’s mother noticed that Fidel’s right testicle had not yet descended into the sac. She was referred to a specialist for his condition, who suggested treatment. An undescended testicle requires surgery to avoid risk of developing a painful hernia, testicular cancer, or infertility. For $540, Fidel can receive the single orchidopexy he needs to resolve his abdominal pain and avoid serious complications. The surgeon will use an endoscope through the umbilicus to locate the testicle and fix the testicle in place. The total cost includes the procedure, supplies, and three days of inpatient care and meals. “We know that this condition can cause serious problems for Fidel,” explains his mother, “but we are hopeful that since we have discovered early enough, we can prevent it from creating permanent medical damage.” Fidel’s surgery will significantly reduce Fidel’s chances of developing long-lasting complications.

Robert, an 11-month boy from Haiti, was born with a heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot. This heart condition is characterized by four heart defects that combine to prevent oxygen from effectively circulating throughout the body. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), shares that as a result, Robert has difficulty breathing and remains sickly. Robert, who lives in Port-au-Prince with his mother and father, "is a quiet and happy baby and likes to play with toys and listen to music," HCA details. "His mother stays at home with him, and his father works as a vendor in the local market." Most children who are diagnosed early with tetralogy of Fallot can live relatively normal lives if they receive appropriate treatment. Health City Cayman Islands has also committed to subsidizing Robert’s surgery with $3,500. An additional $1,500 will allow Robert the surgery he needs to become healthy. HCA details: “During surgery, a shunt will be placed, allowing Robert’s blood to receive more oxygen while his heart continues to grow and develop. In about two years, he will require a second surgery to completely repair his cardiac defect.” “I have been very worried about Robert and I am so glad that there is a surgery that can help him be safe and healthy," Robert's mother shares. "Thank you, everyone!”

Flora is an 18-month-old girl from Tanzania, born on June 29th, 2014. She is the seventh and last child in her family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “Although Flora has delayed to start walking, she is able to sit and she is now trying to crawl. She likes to play with soft dolls and toys that can make sounds.” AMHF reports, “When Flora was born, she was not able to pass stool the normal way and her mother did not notice because she was seeing some small amounts of stool together with urine.” Flora did not want to breastfeed and she vomited often. Seven days after she was born, Flora was taken to the hospital with a distended stomach. “After a thorough examination, Flora was found to have anorectal malformation,” a condition in which the anus is improperly formed and stool is unable to pass regularly from the body. Flora underwent an emergency colostomy- a surgical procedure in which an alternative route is created for stool to exit. However, she now requires a 3-stage surgery—posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP)—to reposition the anus and rectum. Later she will need a colostomy closure to seal off the alternative passageway created in her original surgery. Flora’s mother needs financial support to cover the $1,500 PSARP operation. Three months before Flora’s birth, her father passed away, leaving her mother’s small vegetable garden as the family’s source of income. AMHF explains, “Flora’s on and off sickness meant frequent medical bills which have been a huge burden for Flora’s mother.” While Flora and her mother are admitted for treatment, Flora’s eldest brother and sister are continuing the vegetable business. Though she continues to struggle with low appetite, frequent vomiting, and a resultant inability to gain weight, AMHF states that after her surgery, “Flora will have the ability to pass stool normally and regain her appetite hence, continue with normal growth.” “I just hope my baby will get well, have the ability to eat well, pass stool normally and continue with normal growth,” said Flora’s mother.