Swinney is a five-month-old baby girl who lives with her young parents and grandparents in a mud-wall house in Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that her “parents work hard in their little farm, and grow various crops to support their young family and their aged and ailing parents.” However, their “seasonal income is not sufficient to sustain the entire family,” so Swinney’s father also works on construction sites to supplement their earnings. Swinney was born with a condition called spina bifida, where there is incomplete closing of her backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. This has resulted in a cystic mass on her lower back, and if not properly treated may cause infection, malformation of the spinal cord, and loss of lower limb muscle function. According to AMHF, “due to lack of funds her parents have been unable to secure medical care for her,” and instead have turned to traditional herbalists for less expensive treatment. Unfortunately, these remedies have not been successful. “It has been tough battle but I believe we will get through,” says Swinney’s mother, “My prayer is that Swinney gets treated.” With $805, Swinney will undergo an operation to close the opening in her spine. This will significantly lower her risk of developing an infection, tethered cord, and paralysis of her lower limbs, and allow her to have a happy and healthy childhood.

“Naw Moe is a very shy yet witty thirteen-year-old girl,” says our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). Naw Moe lives in Burma with her parents and one of her four older siblings. “Naw Moe's parents both work as farmers, planting and cultivating a variety of plants and then selling the partially grown plants," says BBP. When Naw Moe was nine-years-old, “she began to experience numbness and pain in her left side, knee aches, loss of appetite, sleeplessness, and difficulty urinating,” BBP tells us. Naw Moe was subsequently diagnosed with kidney stones. Because of her condition, “Naw Moe currently does not go to school,” and “no longer wishes to go out to play with her friends, but stay home and keep to herself," BBP continues. Surgery to remove the kidney stones will cost $1500, and is expected to eliminate all symptoms. Treatment “will allow her to live a normal live and she can return to her normal happy self," says BBP. Naw Moe and her family are hopeful for the treatment outcome. “Her mother hopes her to be happy and healthy. She hopes her daughter will be able to go back to the days when Naw Moe would be able to cook for her mom when she was too busy to, and back on track to achieving her dreams,” BBP says. “Naw Moe cheerfully tells us her aspirations are to become a nun and teach ninth and tenth grades in Burma for the rest of her life.”

Meet David, a 5-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He lives in a single-rental room with his family in Kenya. His father works in a small market, and his mother is a housewife. Their daily income ranges from $6-$9. David was born with undescended testis. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains: "In baby boys, it is expected that the testis will descend into the scrotal sack within a few days after birth. This, however, was not the case for baby David." "David's parents had hoped that with time, their son's condition would correct itself," AMHF continues. "But on seeing months pass, they decided to seek medical assistance. They are not able to raise the monies needed for their son's treatment." David needs a double orchidopexy to move his undescended testicles to his scrotum. The surgery will cost $570. "If the surgery is not done soon, David is likely to develop testicular cancer or inguinal hernia. He is also likely to suffer infertility," AMHF tells us. David's mother looks forward to her son receiving the care he needs. "Thank you Watsi for supporting our son," she shares.

Katka is a curious and adventurous first grader from Nepal. He enjoys school and loves playing soccer with his friends. When he grows up, he wants to be a professional soccer player. Four days ago, Katka fell and broke his arm. Doctors at Nyaya Health say that if he doesn’t receive treatment immediately, his injury could evolve into something much more debilitating. This is a situation where a relatively simple injury could result in life-altering problems, including muscle damage, nerve damage, and a permanent flexion contracture of the hand at the wrist, resulting in a claw-like deformity of the hand and fingers. Katka comes from a supportive family that wants the best for him. His parents make their living by farming for 2-3 months of the year. The rest of the time, they rely on daily wage jobs to support Katka and his five siblings. Paying for the medical care Katka needs is out of reach for them. We need to raise the $990 Katka needs for pre-op, surgery, supplies, travel, and lodging. With treatment, doctors at Nyaya Health believe Katka will be able to avoid permnanent disability, continue his studies, and lead a normal life.