Meet Win, a 10-month-old baby boy from Burma. Win has hydrocephalus—a buildup of fluid within his brain cavities. Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP), explains, “Win’s mother says that he was a healthy baby and that she didn’t notice any abnormalities with the size of his head when he was born. However, Win suffered two falls. His mother said that after the first fall she noticed swelling near a bump on the left side of his head. After the second fall his mother said that his head got bigger and bigger, and she and his father took Win to hospital.” Unfortunately the first hospital was unable to treat him, and Win’s family could not afford to take him to a second hospital. According to BBP, “Win's mother and father work as day laborers. Win's mother stopped working when Win was born and her husband’s income is insufficient to cover the costs of their daily expenses.” If Win doesn’t receive treatment, the cerebrospinal fluid buildup in his brain could be very harmful, possibly even fatal. As Win grows and develops throughout his childhood, this condition could pose serious health complications, including vision loss and limited physical mobility. With $1,485 in funding, Win will receive a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, which BBP explains, “will ensure that the pressure is relieved from Win's skull and is hoped to increase his functionality as he grows up.” Win’s mother shares, “I hope that my child will be cured and that he will be healthy in the future.”

Mu Sweet is a 45-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a day laborer at a rubber tree plantation. In addition to her work, she takes full-time care of her mother and niece. She also has several side businesses to help support them all. A few months ago, Mu Sweet’s health began to mysteriously decline. Doctors discovered a 14cm mass in her uterus which is causing her pain and discomfort, in addition to extreme fatigue. Due to heavy bleeding, she has now become anemic. As a result, she depends on blood transfusions which make it nearly impossible for Mu Sweet to continue her previously energetic lifestyle. Our medical partners at Burma Border Projects (BBP) share with us that “In a life full of taking care of others, Mu Sweet is now in dire need of some medical help herself.” For $1,500 we can fund Mu Sweet’s surgery and medical care at BBP and remove this painful mass. BBP informs us that with this treatment “She will be able to plan and save for the future, as well as enjoy her new marriage with her husband when she is no longer in pain and discomfort.”

“I love working with my husband on our farm,” shares 41-year-old Jacinta from Kenya. “I want to be able to go back to work.” Jacinta and her husband support their two school-aged children by working as full-time farmers. They have planted maize and have two dairy cows. After experiencing severe back pain, Jacinta sought medical treatment but received an incorrect diagnosis. As pain continued, she visited our medical partners at African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) who diagnosed her with cervical cancer. “If surgery is not done, the cancer could spread to Jacinta’s other organs,” explain our partners at AMHF. “This could lead to premature death.” Jacinta and her husband have worked hard to raise the funds needed for Jacinta to receive total abdominal hysterectomy surgery to remove the cancer and alleviate her back pain. For $800, we can add to the money already contributed by Jacinta’s family to fully fund her surgery. Let’s help Jacinta realize her hopes of returning to work to support her family, free from pain!

Meet Rong, a 24-year-old from Cambodia. “Rong has a meningoencephalocele (MEC) that has affected his face and is eyesight,” explain our partners at Children’s Surgical Centre. “He is at high risk for complications stemming from his MEC.” An MEC is a collection of brain tissue that pushes outside the cranium. Rong enjoys listening to Khmer pop songs and watching Khmer movies on TV. Though he lives alone, Rong depends on his parents to support him because it is difficult for him to find work due employers’ concerns about his appearance. Rong has shared that the responses to his appearance make him feel sad and shy. For $390 we can fund MEC surgery and recovery for Rong, which will ensure he no longer has brain tissue pushing out of his cranium. In addition to mitigating the risk of further complications, Rong’s face will no longer be the source of stigma. Let’s help Rong live confidently and healthfully, and to pursue work free from worry about his appearance!

Nine-year-old Gerald is a bundle of energy. He loves to be outdoors, play soccer, and be the leader within his friend group. Born in Tanzania, Gerald is the youngest of four siblings, and the son of small scale farmers who struggle to provide basic needs for their children. Gerald was born with a congenital deformity of his left foot, and can only walk by using the lateral aspect of his foot. Despite his affected gait, he still loves to run and be active. However, if his condition is not treated soon, he will likely develop early osteoarthritis. For $1,160 Gerald can receive treatment on his foot, and be able to walk normally again. "Gerald will have a better gait, he will be able to walk and run faster, and he will have a decreased risk of developing early osteoarthritis," says our medical partner in Tanzania. Gerald is inspired by his grandfather, a craftsman, and hopes to one day follow in his footsteps. "I would make beautiful doors, windows, stools, tables and chairs," says Gerald. Let's make sure Gerald can receive treatment, stay healthy, and one day follow his dreams to be a craftsman.

So Mak is a hardworking mother from Cambodia. She works as a farmer and loves spending time with her son and cooking for her friends. So Mak noticed a bump on her head seven years ago. She has since undergone four surgeries at local hospitals to try and remove it, but it keeps coming back. The growth is pressing on her eyelid, making her vision blurry, and causing frequent headaches. Children’s Surgical Centre is asking for our help to cover the cost of So Mak's $450 tumor excision. They will also perform a biopsy in an attempt to identify the cause of her tumor and prevent its regrowth. Our support will work directly to improve So Mak’s quality of life, enabling her to continue taking care of everyone she loves.

Virginia is a loving single mother. She works at a hardware store to support herself and her daughter, earning just enough to get by. Last year, Virginia began to experience severe abdominal bleeding and pain. Not wanting to miss a beat, she ignored her symptoms. But eventually, she became so weak she could no longer work. Doctors diagnosed Virginia with large fibroids and say she needs surgery to remove them. Her family was able to raise $250 to contribute toward her medical bills, and Africa Mission Healthcare Foundation is requesting the remaining $900 from Watsi donors. After her surgery, Virginia plans to start a small business so she can send her young daughter to school. Virginia loves her daughter and "hopes that she will grow up to be independent and successful." Let's make sure she's healthy enough to make it happen!

Nemoipo is the radiant daughter of a cattle farmer and a house wife. She loves playing netball with her friends, and excels in school. She dreams of becoming a teacher. Nemoipo has been diagnosed with genus valgus, a severe deformity that makes her knees angle inward and knock together when she walks. Nemoipo experiences pain and difficulty living a normal, active life. A $500 surgery can enable Nemoipo to walk without pain. It will also prevent future early degenerative joint disease, making it possible for her to continue participating in sports and living an active life!

Gift is a handsome little guy from Zambia. Several weeks after he was born, his mother, Lucy, was concerned that his head was growing too rapidly. She sought a doctor’s opinion, but was told her son was fine. After a few months Lucy was still worrying; Gift’s head was continuing to grow. A member of the CURE International staff diagnosed Gift with hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition in which cerebrospinal fluid builds up in the ventricles of the brain. The build-up of fluid leads to increased pressure in the brain, which can cause seizures, vomiting, and sometimes death. For $1,750, Gift can receive a special surgery called an Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (a minimally invasive procedure in which the neurosurgeon uses a small telescope to relieve fluid buildup in the brain) to fix his condition. This surgery will give him a chance to grow up with his loving mother, Lucy, and lead a normal, happy life.

Limpo has a rare, delayed presentation of hydrocephalus that Watsi's Medical Partner says will kill him if left untreated. Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that is normally obvious in newborn babies. Fluid buildup in their brains causes their heads to swell, and they are treated immediately. In Limpo's case, his head gradually grew in size and symptoms slowly crept up. Today, he is too weak to stand or walk. Donations on Watsi will be used to cover the cost of Limpo's life-saving surgery. Let's give this 8-year-old boy a chance to be a normal, healthy kid.

Dorothy was warming herself standing next to an open flame, as many Malawians do in the cooler winter months, when her skirt caught fire and burned much of her lower body. Now, Dorothy has post-burn scar contractures on her abdomen. She often complains of pain, and she has problems walking or running when her damaged skin needs to extend to accommodate the movement. Dorothy needs a $1000 contracture release and reconstruction surgery to relieve her pain and restore her mobility. As farmers, Dorothy's parents cannot afford the cost of her care, but they desperately want their daughter to receive treatment. After missing the started date of school after her injury, Dorothy is currently enrolled in her first year, and everyone hopes she will be able to continue. This surgery is the first step toward making that possible.

Pauline is 8 years old and she lives in Malawi. Sadly, Pauline’s father passed away, and her mother is now raising three children on her own. Pauline is suffering from a bone infection in her left leg. About two years ago, the pain became so intense that Pauline was no longer able to stand or walk. Every day for the past two years, Pauline’s mother has carried her to school. Pauline’s mother is a teacher and knows how important Pauline’s education is, which is why she has ensured that Pauline continues school. $1000 from Watsi donors will pay for the surgery to remove the infection from the bone in Pauline’s leg. With this surgery, Pauline will walk again. This will allow her to continue with her schooling, play netball again, and carry on a happy and healthy life.