Dah is a 46-year-old woman who lives with her husband, one son, and two daughters in Karen State, Burma. Dah has been unable to work since 2015 due to her poor health. Her oldest son works as day laborer on someone else's farm and supports their family. Both of her daughters are currently studying at school. Four years ago, Dah started experiencing back pain and had difficulty walking or standing for long periods of time. She went to see the doctor in a Burmese hospital, where she was diagnosed with a kidney stone. At that time, she was unable to afford the cost of treatment. Eventually, she went to Mae Tao Clinic, our medical partner's care center, for further treatment and the doctor sent her to Mae Sot Hospital for further investigation. At the hospital she was again diagnosed with a kidney stone and was told she would require surgery to remove the stone. She was referred to Burma Children Medical Fund, our medical partner, for assistance in receiving treatment. Now, Dah is scheduled for a procedure called shockwave lithotripsy on March 8. She needs help raising $1,500 to pay for this treatment. Dah said, “I want to recover quickly so I can return to work. I want to be able to support my daughters so that they can continue with their studies.”

Gilbert is a baby from Kenya. His mother dropped out of her second year in high school, and her father is in his fourth year in high school. They therefore rely on Gilbert’s maternal grandparents. His grandparents are subsistence farmers without an external source of income. Gilbert 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, Gilbert has been experiencing an increasing head circumference. Without treatment, Gilbert will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $685 to cover the cost of surgery for Gilbert that will treat his hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 8 and will drain the excess fluid from Gilbert's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve his quality of life. With proper treatment, Gilbert will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young boy. “I hope we can soon put all this behind us,” shares Gilbert’s grandfather.

Luis is young boy from Guatemala. Luis has a genetic syndrome called cri-du-chat, which causes cognitive and motor delays, among other symptoms. Luis is beloved by his entire family—he loves to play and sing with his older brother, and his mother works incessantly to care for Luis provide the best for him so that he can live happily. Luis needs to undergo surgery to treat cryptorchidism. Cryptorchidism—or undescended testicles—is a condition commonly found in young boys who were born prematurely, as Luis was. In order to treat this condition, he will undergo a simple surgery that relocates the undescended testicle into its proper position. If left untreated, Luis could be at risk for a variety of reproductive illnesses in the future, including inguinal hernia, infertility, and testicular cancer. On October 5, Luis will undergo a procedure called an orchidopexy, which is surgery to move an undescended testicle into the scrotum and permanently fix it there. $1,500 will pay for his laboratory testing, medication, travel, and accompaniment. This treatment will lessen Luis's chances of developing complications later in life. Luis's mother says, "Thank you so much for this support. I will fight with everything I have for my son to have a better life."

Chheng Lim is a mother of five children from Cambodia. She is a rice farmer. She likes to spend time planting vegetables in her garden. For the last two years, she has been experiencing pain in her left hip. She has not been able to work and isn't able to help around the house. Fortunately, Chheng Lim learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre. At CSC, surgeons can perform a total hip replacement to relieve Chheng Lim of her pain and allow her to walk easily. Treatment is scheduled for January 8, and Chheng Lim needs help raising $1,025 to pay for this procedure. She says, "I want to work so I can help my husband and children support our family."

“I need your help to support my child's medical needs,” says Mekliet's mother, a woman from Ethiopia. She lost her husband in a car accident when she was six months pregnant with Mekliet. The two now live with Mekliet’s grandmother, and have no income source of their own. Mekliet, who is now five months old, was born with anorectal malformation. As a result, she experiences bowel dysfunction. For $1,500, we can sponsor a procedure on September 21 to repair her condition. This will cover the costs of her lab tests, medications, and one-day hospital stay.

Talusha is a student from Haiti. She lives with her parents, brothers, and sisters in a coastal town in northern Haiti. She is in the fourth grade and enjoys going to school, especially studying math and science. Talusha has a cardiac condition called atrial septal defect. A hole exists between the two upper chambers of her heart. Blood leaks through the hole, leaving her weak and short of breath. Talusha will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 4, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will use a catheter to close the hole in her heart with a device. Another organization, Health City Cayman Islands, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Talusha'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 Talusha's family overseas. We are also fundraising for her [transportation costs](https://watsi.org/profile/a2d3bef5c7ed-talusha). She says, "I am excited to get to ride in a plane and see a new country!"

Franceska is a 15-year-old young woman who lives with her older brother and mother in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. She is in eight grade, and her favorite subject is physics because she finds it easy to understand. In the future, Franceska would like to become a pediatrician. She loves kids and would love to work with them and take care of people. In October of 2016, Franceska noticed a small mass in her right breast that was causing her discomfort. A few weeks later, she went to the hospital and had a mammogram. Because Franceska is so young, her aunt did not agree with having the mass removed. In the meantime, the mass continued to increase in size and itch. If left untreated, the mass could develop malignancy and cause extensive harm. Our medical partner, Innovating Health International, is requesting $1,085 to cover the cost of having the tumor removed from Franceska's breast. The procedure is scheduled to take place on July 29 and, once completed, will hopefully allow Franceska to return to the activities that she greatly enjoys.

Carminia is a 41-year-old mother and wife from Guatemala. She has one child and works as a homemaker while her husband works in the local countryside. Carminia developed cataracts in both of her eyes years ago, and they have only gotten worse over time. This has lead to blurred vision, irritation, and tearing, and she no longer feels comfortable leaving her home alone. Carminia sought treatment through our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq, and is now scheduled to receive cataract repair surgery on June 23. Due to the complicated nature of her cataracts, Carminia will require more evaluations and post surgery care than usual. The $1,500 requested by Wuqu' Kawoq will cover all of the expenses of her procedure, transportation, and care. Carminia says, “I do not have the words to thank the institution for all the support we've received. All that I hope for now, is that my operation goes well.”

Nen is a 68-year-old grandmother who is married with two sons, one daughter, and four grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray at the pagoda and join in the ceremonies in her free time. Nen developed a cataract in each eye about four months ago, causing her blurred vision, pain, cloudy lenses, and photophobia (extreme sensitivity to light). It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, do any type of work, and go places by herself. Nen heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), because a person in her village had surgery there. She traveled for two hours with her sister to reach CSC for treatment. She is scheduled for surgery on May 31. CSC has requested $292 to fund this surgery. After the surgery and a lens implant in each eye, Nen will be able to see clearly again.

Sok is a 66-year-old grandmother form Cambodia. She is married and has four sons, nine daughters, and 15 grandchildren. Sok enjoys listening to monks pray on the radio, participating in ceremonies at her local pagoda, and watching Thai and Khmer movies on TV. About one year ago, Sok developed a cataract in each of her eyes, causing her blurred vision, sensitivity to light, tearing, and cloudy lenses. Her condition has made it difficult for her to see things clearly and go anywhere outside by herself. On May 12, Sok will undergo surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, our medical partner's care center, to receive intraocular lens implants in each of her eyes to improve her vision. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $292 to cover the cost of her treatment. After surgery, Sok will be able to see clearly again!

Meet Claire, a 17-year-old expecting mother from Uganda. Claire lives in a rural village with her mother and six siblings. During her free time, she enjoys evening walks and visiting relatives. Claire is also an avid fan of sports. Before she become pregnant, she loved playing net ball and football. Because of Claire’s age, her doctors consider her pregnancy to be high-risk. They recommend that she receive medical attention before, during, and after labor to ensure a safe delivery. On May 26, she will begin to receive supplements and attend antenatal checkups and health education classes. She will deliver her baby in the hospital, and she will undergo a C-section if necessary. After birth, Claire and her baby will be monitored by the hospital staff. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $241 to fund hospital monitoring for Claire. Post-delivery, Claire is looking forward to going back to farming and starting a business to support her baby, mother, and siblings.

Roseberline lives just outside of Cap Haitien, a port city in northern Haiti, with her mother, father, and two younger brothers. She is in high school and would like to go on to become a doctor or a nurse. Roseberline was born with a hole between the two upper chambers of her heart, called an atrial septal defect. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her short of breath and weak. Roseberline will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On January 21, she will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will insert a catheter into her heart and close the hole. This $10,000 surgery is subsidized by Have a Heart Cayman Islands. Roseberline'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 Roseberline's family overseas. "I am very excited to travel to the hospital and to get this heart problem fixed. I would like to say thank you to everyone who is making this possible for me," shares Roseberline.