Maria was born one month ago weighing 5.4 pounds, and she has not gained any weight since birth. Maria's mother cannot produce breastmilk, so Maria is small and malnourished. She often cries from hunger, and her mother uses the only substance she can afford––warm sugar water––to soothe her. This limited diet is insufficient and has dangerous implications for Maria’s health. Lactation failure can lead to starvation and dehydration. It can also provoke electrolyte imbalances that cause seizures. Brain development is compromised, so Maria is at risk of long-term damage. Fortunately, on November 3, 2016, Maria began a treatment program with Watsi's medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq. Lactation failure, while dangerous, is easy to treat. By supplying Maria with formula and her mother with health education, Maria will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one education with Maria’s mother will teach her how to provide a nutritious, inexpensive diet for her daughter. She will also learn to check for signs of malnutrition and other illness. Maria’s immune system will strengthen, and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. Maria is the fifth child in her family. Her mother takes of the household, and her brothers look after her. Unfortunately, her family’s limited income puts treatment for Maria outside of their reach. The family needs help to fund this $1,107 intervention. “I am very worried," says Maria's mother, "because when I brought her to the public health center, they told me my daughter was not growing well...We don’t have the resources necessary to be able to buy her milk, and I feel sad because I don’t want to watch my daughter get sick. I want to watch her grow healthy. With your help, I trust that my daughter will get better...I hope that when she is grown she will be a teacher.”

Panha is a ten-year-old boy from Cambodia. He is just starting the 4th grade at his local school. Panha likes to do homework and watch the song channel on TV in his free time. When Panha was four years old, he received poorly administered injections in his left thigh. This caused a muscle fibrosis in his hip, which makes it very difficult for him to walk. Panha is in constant pain, and he cannot easily bend or move his left leg. Panha traveled with his mother for three hours to seek treatment at Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Center (CSC). On October 25, 2016, surgeons at CSC performed a quadriceplasty to release the contracted adhesions and improve the range of Panha's flexion muscle. This will allow Panha to walk more easily and without pain. $425 in funds will cover necessary medications, surgical procedures, and physical therapy. Panha shares, "After the operation, I want to go home and return to school."

Lilibet is a one-month-old baby girl and her parents’ first child. She lives with her mother and father in rural Guatemala. Her mother is a homemaker, and her father works in construction. Her family earns less than three dollars per day, putting treatment for Lilibet out of her family’s economic reach. Lilibet was born premature in September and spent the first fifteen days of her life stabilizing in the hospital. Lilibet’s mother’s milk has not come in, a common occurrence in premature births, leaving her unable to breastfeed Lilibet and provide her baby with the nutrition she needs. Lilibet’s mother has been feeding her sugar water and occasionally milk from a neighbor. As result of Lilibet’s limited diet, she is underweight and small at just over a month old. To stabilize her condition, Lilibet was given a preliminary supply of formula which will last until a nutritionist can create a personalized nutrition plan and begin formal treatment. Lactation failure can lead to starvation, cause dehydration, and provoke electrolyte imbalances that result in seizures. Brain development occurring during this delicate time is compromised and Lilibet is at risk of long-term damage. By supplying Lilibet with formula and the mother with health education, Lilibet will receive the calories she needs to grow and thrive. One-on-one motivational education with Lilibet’s mother will prepare her for Lilibet to start eating solid food, as well as help her watch for further signs of malnutrition and other illness. Lilibet’s immune system will strengthen and she will grow up to be a healthy, energetic baby. $1,107 will cover the costs of the care Lilibet needs. Let's help raise the funds!

Bridgette is a tiny, one-month-old baby girl from Kenya who has hydrocephalus, a condition caused by excess cerebral spinal fluid and manifests itself in an enlarged head circumference. Bridgette’s mother stays at home to take care of Bridgette and her 5-year-old brother, who just started school. Bridgette’s father supports them through his M-Pesa stand (mobile money transfer agent). He doesn’t make much money, and they cannot afford to pay Bridgette’s medical bills. They urgently need help to pay for Bridgette’s operation to help her live a long and healthy life. It was discovered that Bridgette had hydrocephalus through a scan during one of her mother’s prenatal checkups. She was delivered prematurely through C-Section in a hospital near home, and was admitted immediately after birth since her symptoms became worse. She needed specialized treatment, but the hospital she was in didn’t have the resources to help her. They were referred to Bethany Kids at Kijabe Hospital where Bridgette was seen by a consultant. He advised Bridgette’s parents that she needed and operation to help manage the growth of her head and prevent further complications such as brain damage and delayed milestones. For $685, Bridgette will undergo the shunt procedure she needs to live a healthy life. “I am glad to have found a place where Bridgette can be treated. My only plea is that you will help fund for her surgery as I have no means," shared Bridgette’s mother.