Pobit Dev is a 7-year-old boy from India. He hails from West Bengal and lives with his parents as an only child. His father works as a farmer, and his mother as a homemaker. Pobit is currently attending school in the 2nd grade. He enjoys eating and loves riding his bicycle. When he was five, Pobit Dev suffered burn injuries after falling on an open fire while playing with friends. He developed severe skin contractures affecting his right hand, left arm, elbow, forearm, and thumb, as well as his right cheek and presternal area. He is experiencing significant pain, and his daily life has been seriously impacted by the injuries. Despite two treatments in his home state, he was referred to Watsi's medical partner, G.S. Memorial Plastic Surgery Hospital and Trauma Center, for more advanced care. The initial focus will be on treating his hand and forearm first. These contractures restrict his hand movements and prevent him from doing activities he enjoys, also affecting his education. Pobit Dev has travelled more than 12 hours with his family to seek treatment at our partner's care center. On August 11th, specialty surgeons will perform a burn contracture release surgery to address his most pressing pain and discomfort. The treatment will help him regain his mobility, allowing him once again to play with his friends, ride bicycles, and continue his education. He needs help raising $1,442 to fund his treatment and care. Pobit Dev's mother shared, "I am hopeful about his treatment, and I just want him to be okay."

Simion is a 15-year-old student from Kenya who is currently in Grade 5. He is the youngest in his family of six children. His parents are small-scale farmers who also keep livestock for their daily livelihood. Simion's village has limited access to healthcare services, so his journey to receive care began unexpectedly when a stranger noticed Simion's walking pattern and kindly informed him and his mother about our medical partner's hospital program, encouraging them to seek help. When Simion and his mother came to the hospital, communication was initially challenging because Simion and his mother speak little Swahili and are more comfortable communicating in Maa, their local dialect. Simion has been diagnosed with clubfoot of the right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape, which causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Simion was also born with a condition known as hemiplegic cerebral palsy, which has affected movement on one side of his body. This condition has made walking difficult for him and limited his ability to participate in childhood activities. Fortunately, Simion can undergo treatment with our partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on May 28th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,286 to fund Simion's treatment. After surgery, he will be able to walk easier, play with his friends, and continue his education with greater confidence. Simion's mother said, "I am looking forward to seeing my son walking normally like other children."

Dion is 18 months old and the only child in his family from Bolivia. He lives with his mom, who is studying IT, and his dad, who works as a small entrepreneur. Dion's mother noticed that he has problems gaining weight and frequently gets colds. After a medical consult, Dion was diagnosed with a heart condition called a ventricular septal defect. A hole exists between the two lower chambers of his heart: blood leaks through this hole instead of circulating normally, leaving him weak and short of breath. On April 22nd, Dion will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center, Hospital del Niño Dr. Ovidio Aliaga Uría. During surgery, surgeons will sew a patch over the hole in his heart so that blood can no longer leak through it.. Dion's family needs help to fund the costs of cardiac care and surgery. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, requests $1,500 to cover the cost of cardiac exams and diagnostics, surgical costs, follow-up care, and medications. Dion's mother shared, "We are very grateful my child can receive this lifesaving surgery; we are so thankful."

James is a 13-year-old boy from Kenya. When our medical partner met James's mother, worry etched across her face as she struggled to hold back tears while sharing their experience. Born in 2012, James had a wonderful childhood. However, in 2021, something happened that changed James's life completely as they knew it. Towards the end of September, James started experiencing excruciating stomach pain. His condition was so bad, such that James was unable to sleep, and would throw up whenever he ate. His parents took him to a nearby hospital for medical assistance. No diagnosis was made; instead, they were sent back home with a prescription for painkillers and antibiotics. They left the hospital, hopeful that their son would recover. True enough, James got better, and soon enough, they forgot their worries. A few months later, however, the pain was back, and this time, worse than before. James's parents took him to hospital, only to be sent back home with painkillers again, but with no diagnosis. At this point, James was losing weight as well, and throwing up whenever he ate. With the help of the medication given, he got better, and an improvement in his feeding pattern was noted. This was, however, short-lived. Within a few months, the pain recurred. It's been a difficult three years for James, until his family decided to seek care at our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), in September 2025. At the hospital, doctors found James to be malnourished, and he was placed on nutritional care so he could be strong enough to handle treatment. He was in hospital for a month before a laparotomy surgery was scheduled. The successful surgery that followed restored hope back into the lives of his family. Presently, James is scheduled for a follow up colostomy closure surgery to restore bowel function and prevent future complications. After a long journey of James's treatment, his family is unable to raise funds for his upcoming treatment. James's father works informal jobs to sustain the family, while his mother takes care of the family. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,020 to cover the cost of a colostomy closure for James. The surgery is scheduled to take place on March 11th and, once completed, will hopefully allow him to live a healthier life. James's mother says, "My son is going through so much pain, seeing him like that breaks my heart. As his mother, I wish I could take the burden of pain off his body. However, I am hopeful that with your help, this condition will be a thing of the past very soon."

Swalehe is a two-year-old boy from Tanzania. He lives with his parents and two older siblings. His father earns a living pushing a market cart and transporting goods for customers, while his mother stays at home caring for the children and managing the household. Swalehe was born with fused fingers on both hands and fused toes on his left foot. As he has grown, these conditions have affected the development of his fine motor skills and his balance when walking and playing. Initially, the family was not sure if these conditions could be treated. Thankfully, they learned about our medical partner's care center, Kafika House, through a friend whose child had received successful care there. The family travelled to Kafika House, where doctors recommended surgical treatment. Without treatment, Swalehe will continue to experience functional limitations. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is helping Swalehe receive treatment. On February 18th, surgeons will perform contracture release surgery and a skin graft to give Swalehe the chance to grow, play, and develop with greater independence and confidence. Now, he needs help to fund this $832 procedure. Swalehe's mother says, “His fingers are joined and tight, so he cannot grasp or release objects properly.”

Surafel is 20 months old and a cheerful little boy from Ethiopia. He loves playing with his brother and watching animated shows. His father works as a security guard, while his mother is a homemaker who occasionally takes on domestic work to earn extra income. After Surafel was born, he experienced several health problems, which placed a significant financial burden on the family. His mother had to borrow money from neighbors to cover medical expenses and is still working to repay it. One year ago, Surafel was diagnosed with cryptorchidism, a condition in which one or both of the testicles remain undescended. If left untreated, Surafel has an increased risk of developing hernias, testicular cancer, and fertility problems in the future. Surafel will be receiving assistance from our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Fortunately, he is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on January 15. AMHF is requesting $1,073 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Surafel's mother said, "I pray that my child comes through the surgery safely. I am incredibly grateful for all the support you've given me. With God's grace, I will take home a healthy child, and may God bless you all."

Goldstein is a preschooler from Haiti. He lives with his parents on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. His parents are both vendors. He is a very curious and outgoing boy who makes friends easily. Goldstein has a cardiac condition called atrioventricular canal defect. A large hole exists between the chambers of Goldstein's heart, causing blood to leak between all four chambers of the heart without circulating through the lungs to obtain oxygen. This leaves him weak and short of breath, and will lead to heart failure if not corrected. Goldstein will fly to the Dominican Republic to receive treatment. On December 16th, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will close the hole with a patch so that blood can no longer leak through it. Another organization is contributing to pay for his surgery. But Goldstein's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. Our medical partner, International Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover labs, medicines, and check-up and follow-up appointments. It also supports securing travel documents for the family and travel costs for the social workers from our medical partner, who will accompany Goldstein's family overseas. Goldstein's mother shared, "Our family has been praying for this surgery ever since our son was a small baby, and we want to say thank you to everyone!"

Aun is a 52-year-old working father from Phnom Penh, Cambodia. He lives with his wife and youngest daughter, who attends university in the city. His oldest daughter is married and visits often with her family. Before his hip pain, Aun enjoyed exercising in the park and riding his bicycle. Since 2022, Aun has had difficulty walking due to pain in his right hip. He now relies on crutches, which has affected his work and his daily activities. He is unable to stand for long periods of time and wakes up at night from the pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, can help. On November 10th, Aun will undergo a hip replacement procedure, which will relieve his pain and improve his mobility, allowing him to work and take care of his family. Aun and his family can contribute $100 toward the cost, but need help raising $1,400 more. Aun shared, “After the surgery, I hope that I can walk without crutches and feel better at work."