Debash is an adorable two-year-old boy from Ethiopia. His dad shared that although he can be a bit shy in front of new people, his playfulness comes out whenever he's around his siblings. He has three sisters and one brother. Debash's parents are farmers on their own land, however the weather in their environment is dry most of the year, which causes their harvest to be limited. The amount of fruit they yield is frequently not enough to meet their family's needs, in turn causing them to spend money on purchasing food, after consuming their own, for the rest of the year. During the months of the year when they are not farming, they work in a factory to earn additional income. Even so, their income is limited and supports the basic needs of the family. Debash has a condition called Hirschprung's Disease. This is a birth condition that affects the large intestine and causes problems with passing stool. As a result, Debash has needed a series of treatments to remove an abnormally functioning segment of his bowel. Now he has returned for a follow-up procedure to a colostomy operation he had when he was younger. Because of COVID-19, financial limitations, and social unrest in his region they weren't able to follow up for his second surgery a quickly as they'd hoped and have been waiting a long time. A social worker met with their family and informed them of the services at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Mygungsung Christian Medical Centre (BKMCM), and recommended they take Debash there to proceed with his needed treatment. Due to Debash's condition, his parents are under a lot of psychological and financial stress. They cannot afford the medical bill for their son's treatment, and appeal for help. Fortunately, on February 17th, Debash will receive treatment at BKMCM. There, Debash will undergo hirschprung pull through surgery to remove the diseased portion of his intestine. With treatment, Debash will grow up to hopefully lead a happy life, and will no longer be in a constant state of discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, asks for $1,500 to help fund Debash's medical bill. His dad said, “We hope he will heal about his second surgery now. That will be great and it will make us happy. I want to educate my child. I hope he will get a good job after that. Either being a government worker or a doctor or a teacher or a trader or a farmer, I hope he will lead a good and healthy life in his future.”

Heavenlight is a 14-year-old girl and the second-born child in a family of seven children. Heavenlight was going to join advance grades in school this January, but she had to stop attending school because she is having difficulty walking to and from school every day. Heavenlight loves biology, physics, and chemistry and wishes to be a doctor when she grows up. She is worried this dream might be lost if she does not have her leg treated. Heavenlight was diagnosed with genu valgus. This condition causes her legs to bow inward so that her knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, Heavenlight has difficulty walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Heavenlight. The procedure is scheduled to take place on January 13th. Treatment will hopefully restore Heavenlight's mobility, allowing him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Heavenlight shared, “I am ready to miss a few months of class just to have my leg corrected because it is painful and I struggle a lot walking to school."

Aung is a 34-year-old man from Burma who lives with his wife, son, and daughter. Both he and his wife work as government officers. In his free time he likes to read books. Aung 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, Aung feels tired, has chest pains, and has difficulty breathing. However, he can eat and sleep well. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund a mitral valve replacement for Aung. The treatment is scheduled to take place on January 27th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. “I want to go back to work [as a] healthy [person] and support my family,” said Aung.

Kyat is a 34-year-old female refugee from Thailand. She is a mother of three, and she loves to look after her son and play with him, while her daughters go to school. About 10 years ago, Kyat noticed a mass in her belly after her second child was born. She thought it was normal to have a mass after birth, and what she felt, she thought, was her uterus. As the mass does not cause her pain, Kyat thought the mass would disappear after some time. A little less than two years ago, Kyat became pregnant again. She then found out during her antenatal care session at the refugee camp hospital that the mass she had was still there. The doctor then told her she needs surgery, but only after she delivered her baby. Kyat has been experiencing discomfort in her abdomen. She has been diagnosed with uterine myoma. She has been advised to undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy, the surgical removal of her uterus and cervix. If left untreated, Kyat's symptoms will continue to worsen and put her at risk for further health complications in the future. Fortunately, Kyat is scheduled to undergo her hysterectomy on December 13th. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to cover the total cost of her procedure and care. Kyat said, “My children are still young, especially my son. I want to be healthy, with no mass inside my belly, so that I can support my children and live my life to the fullest.”

Miriam walks slowly with the aid of crutches. She was overly active until the year 2017 when she began complaining of back pain and numbness on her feet. Miriam formerly an active farmer would tire easily from her farming activities and small house chores. From the nearest hospital, pain medication was administered but with time, her condition deteriorated. She thought maybe she had gained weight and that was the reason for the back pain. Dieting did not help either and over time, she couldn’t walk without the aid of a stick. Frustrated, Miriam resigned to fate as she thought she was a burden to her young children who were building their homes. A friend recommended that they visit Kijabe hospital for specialized treatment where Miriam was diagnosed with a spine disc dislocation and a spinal fusion surgery recommended. Miriam was glad that there is a solution to her condition and she looks forward to getting treated. If treated, Miriam will regain her ability to walk, resume work and become independent again. Miriam and her husband are subsistence farmers with four grown children. She lives with her husband in Central Kenya. Miriam is appealing for financial help. “I look forward to walking again,” says Miriam.

Aloyce is a student from Tanzania. He is nineteen years old young man and the last born child in a family of three children. Aloyce only had the chance to study up to class seven. Due to financial challenges, he couldn’t continue with his studies and fulfill his dream of becoming an engineer. He stayed home helping his parents in their small scale farming to make himself productive and support his parents. Eventually a relative came in and offered to take him to Dar es Salaam and teach him welding work so that he could be able to make a living for himself. Aloyce has been diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. As a result of his condition, Aloyce has been experiencing seizures and fainting. Without treatment, Aloyce will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,238 to cover the cost of surgery for Aloyce that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th and will drain the excess fluid from Aloyce's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Aloyce will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. Aloyce says, “People look at me differently now due to this condition please help me get this treatment so that I can be able to resume my training and normal life activities again.”

On August 13th, after classes, Michale was playing with his friend at school. While fooling around, Michale’s friend poked him in the right eye. Right away, Michale’s eye began to hurt and his eye became watery. Eventually, he could no longer open his right eye. When he told a teacher about this, the teacher called his mother. His mother then took him back home before bringing him to Mae Tao Clinic (MTC) in Thailand, on 15th August 2019. Unfortunately, that day was a full moon Buddhist holiday in Thailand. Therefor he had to wait till the next day to have his eye examined by a medic. After checking his eye the following day, the medic gave him an ointment for his eye and painkillers. On August 20th, he was referred to Mae So Hospital for further assessment. At the hospital, the ophthalmologist checked his eye, diagnosed him corneal perforation and informed him that he will likely have to remove his right eye and referred him to Chiang Mai Hospital (CMH) for further treatment. After he came back from the hospital, Michale told the MTC medic about what the doctor had said and how he could not afford to seek further treatment in Chiang Mai. Therefore, the MTC medic referred him to Burma Children Medical Fund (BCMF) for assistance in accessing further treatment. Michale says, “I would like to become an engineer, so I would like to study engineering when I graduate from high school.”

Alphatina is a mother of two children from Kenya. She loves their presence and since leaving the hospital, she has grown even more fond of them. Alphatina used to trade in second-hand clothes as well as potatoes supplementing what his husband brought from his carpentry job. Alphatina suffered burns when the kerosene stove she was using blew up in July 2016. She had burns on part of her trunk, hands and neck. She suffers from frequent infections. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Alphatina receive treatment. On August 22nd, surgeons will perform a debridement and skin graft procedure to help her heal well and reduce the risk of sepsis. Now, Alphatina needs help to fund this $1,129 procedure. Alphatina says, “I am grateful for continued help from Watsi. I want to fully recover and be able to raise my children”.

Ormnai is a young student from Tanzania. He was diagnosed with genu valgus. His legs bow inward so that his knees touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he cannot for long distances without pain. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $940 to fund corrective surgery for Ormnai. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 4. Treatment will hopefully restore Ormnai's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Ormnai’s father says, “My son’s legs are worsening am afraid he won’t be able to walk if not treated please help my son am unable to afford the cost.”

Nay Toe is a seven-year-old boy from Burma. He was recently diagnosed with hydrocephalus, which has caused fluid to build up in his brain. Without immediate surgery to alleviate the intracranial pressure that the excess fluid is causing, he is at risk of developing severe, potentially fatal medical complications. Our medical partner, Burma Children Medical Fund, is requesting $1,500 to fund the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt for Nay Toe, which will drain the fluid that has accumulated in his brain. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 21, and, once completed, will greatly improve Nay Toe's quality of life. Nay Toe said, “One day, I will be able to write, and I can become a teacher.”

Emmanuel is a student from Haiti. He lives with his mother and younger sister in a small village in the mountains of southwest Haiti. He enjoys going to school and would like to be an engineer. Emmanuel has a cardiac condition called rheumatic mitral regurgitation. One of the four valves of his heart is damaged due to an infection he suffered earlier in childhood; as a result, it cannot circulate blood through his body effectively. Emmanuel will fly to Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On May 28, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will remove his damaged valve and implant an artificial replacement. Another organization, The Mitral Foundation, is contributing $8,000 to pay for surgery. Emmanuel'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 Emmanuel's family overseas. He says, "I am looking forward to this surgery so that I can start school again!"

Maxwell is a baby from Kenya. Since he was six months old, Maxwell has had an inguinal hernia. The hernia causes him discomfort. Fortunately, on March 26, he will undergo repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $384 to fund Maxwell's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably. Maxwell’s mother says, “I will be very happy once my child gets the treatment he needs so that I will be able to work and provide for my family.”