Meet Jane, a 50-year-old joyful and loving mother to three children. For almost five years, Jane has been experiencing lower abdominal pain and bleeding as a result of small, benign tumors in the uterus called fibroids. Jane's condition has made normal housework, farming, and socializing difficult. If left untreated, Jane will continue to be in pain and bleed, which puts her at risk for anemia. “Jane is a single lady with three children,” our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), reports. “Due to her low socio-economic status, she was not able to educate her children to secondary school. Therefore, Jane's children have limited opportunities to help themselves or their mother. Jane's children work as casual laborers with little irregular income. Jane really needs support for this important surgery.” For $790 Jane will undergo a total abdominal hysterectomy to remove the fibroids. Jane is expected to recover fully and “will be free from pain, bleeding, and the risk of anemia," adds AMHF. "My children have no one else to look to," shares Jane. "I need to be well to continue guiding them in life. I hope Watsi will support me to have this surgery."

“I am glad that our daughter will get treatment. I thank God and I am hopeful for a successful surgery,” shares Favour’s mother. Say hello to Favour, a little girl only 15-days-old! Favour was born with spina bifida, which has resulted in a swollen mass on her lower back. If surgery is not done soon, Favour is at risk for developing an infection coupled with a tethered cord, which can lead to kyphosis or scoliosis. She is the last born of her eight siblings and lives with her brothers and sisters and parents in Kenya. Favour’s parents have a small farm where they grow maize and vegetables for their consumption and sell surplus to the market. Their income does not allow to Favour’s parents to pay for the surgery she needs. For $805, we can provide Favour with a spina bifida closure, which will surgically correct the spina bifida. According to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, “After the surgery, Favour will be able to live a normal life with no risk of infection nor spinal complications.”

“I am excited to finish the treatment,” shares Stervenson’s mother. “I wish everything to happen well for the little one so we can go back home.” Stervenson is a four-year-old boy, who was born in Haiti with a cleft lip and palate. He is his parents’ only child. Stervenson’s father is a motorcycle taxi driver, and his mother sells boiled eggs and sweet bananas in the street to meet their basic needs. Stervenson had surgery to correct his cleft lip at a hospital, but he and his family were sent home when they could not afford the next procedure to repair his cleft palate. “He cannot talk or eat well,” explain our medical partner at Project Medishare. “When he eats, some of the liquids pass through his nostrils from the inside of his mouth, and this makes it difficult for him to breathe when he is eating. He also experiences runny nose.” For $960, we can fund cleft palate repair surgery and follow-up care that will help Stervenson eat normally, speak with less difficulty and have a more healthful childhood. Let’s help Stervenson return home with his parents with his cleft lip and palate fully repaired!