The world welcomed a new baby boy, he has not yet been named, so goes by baby of Hawa Hassan. He is a first-born child to his mother who moved to Arusha, Tanzania four years ago looking for work. She was able to find work locally and has been earning income as a housemaid for two years now. Baby of Hawa was born in the hospital and was directly referred to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC when the doctors noticed he had a birth defect. At ALMC Hospital, he was admitted to the NICU and his mother was informed that her baby needed surgery as soon as possible to correct this birth defect. His mother could not afford surgery for her son for she does not earn enough to be able to afford the treatment. His father is a shop keeper and he is also not able to afford his son’s needed surgery, they had just enough savings for their baby’s birth costs. This surgery will enable Hawa's baby to be able to pass stool normally, if not treated this condition will cause discomfort for the baby as he cannot pass stool, and he may stop feeding properly. If not treated, his condition may even result in death. Hawa shared, “Please help my son get this treatment so that he can continue to feed well, I am worried about him. He looks very sick and discomforted.”

Ngasitae and his uncle have travelled over 700km to our facility seeking healthcare. Ngasitae was diagnosed with ARM days after birth, a condition where he was born without an anal opening. A colostomy was in put in place to aid his bowel movement in a hospital in Turkana. Since access to specialized care is limited in his village, the standard treatment of surgery to create an opening was never done.   Recently a well-wisher visiting their village came across Ngasitae and advised his parents to seek help from Watsi Partner BethanyKids in Kijabe where they would be assisted financially. It was decided that Ngasitae’s uncle who knows a bit of Swahili would accompany him. Upon diagnosis and considering the proximity of his village and costs involved, the doctors have recommended immediate admission for surgery to create an anal opening. Unfortunately, Ngasitae's family is not able to meet the cost of surgery. They sold a few goats to raise the transport expenses to the hospital. Ngasitae’s mother is a stay-at-home mom while his father has three camels that he fetches luggage and water for the locals for a fee. Ngasitae and his siblings are yet to join the school as it is several miles away from home. “Our place is very arid. Nothing grows as we have no water. The few goats his father had were sold out for us to get here. We wish to get assistance for our young boy,” says Ngasitae’s uncle.

Princess is a child from Tanzania. She is is a beautiful girl and an only child. Princess’s mother is a housewife while her father works as a casual laborer in a factory. In 2018, Princess had gone out to play while her mother was inside doing house chores and she had left drinking water to boil on their stove. As Princess was coming back into the house she fell over the stove and the hot water poured all over her chest burning her badly. Contractures from the burn scar have made it difficult for her to move freely. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Princess receive treatment. On November 15th, surgeons at their care center will perform a burn contracture release surgery to help her move her head again. Now, she needs help to fund this $608 procedure. Princess’s mother says, “Now my daughter can move her neck compared to before, if she is able to get this next surgery she will be able to fully move her neck, please help.”

Saron is a 53-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She is the youngest of eight siblings, and enjoys watching Khmer dramas on television in her free time. Saron has strabismus in both eyes. Strabismus is a misalignment of the eye caused by injury or dysfunction in the associated nerves and muscles. She is unable to see clearly and she cannot work. Saron traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On November 20th, surgeons at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), will perform a corrective procedure to align her eyes. Now, Saron needs help to raise $292 to fund this procedure. Saron said, "I hope that after my surgery, I will be able to see clearly and I can return to working on the rice farm."

Moeun is a 66-year-old rice farmer from Cambodia. She has two children, four grandchildren, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her spare time. Five months ago, Moeun developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her cloudy vision. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Moeun learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On October 08, doctors will perform a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. Moeun said, "I hope that I will be able to see clearly so I can help take care of my grandchildren and can help with the housework."

Sopheara is a young man from Cambodia. In his free time, Sopheara likes to watch television, listen to music, and help with the housework. Five years ago, Sopheara was in a severe motorcycle accident, resulting in the amputation of his lower right leg. Now, he currently experiences discomfort as the bone grows outwards and stretches all available skin. Sopheara will undergo a stump capping procedure which will result in the trimming of the bone to produce a more comfortable rounded end. After surgery, Sopheara will no longer have discomfort and he will be able to be fitted for a prosthetic leg. Surgery is scheduled for July 15 and will cost $327.

Mao is a grandmother of thirty from Cambodia. She has seven sons, three daughters, and enjoys listening to the monks pray on the radio in her free time. One year ago, Mao developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurry vision and tearing. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Mao learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for four and a half hours seeking treatment. On August 5, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope that I will be able to return to the pagoda and attend the ceremony, and be able to recognize my relatives' faces."

Navy is a 71 year old grandmother from Cambodia. She has one daughter, two grandchildren, and enjoys reading books in her free time. One year ago, Navy developed a cataract in her right eye, causing her blurring vision and irritation. She has difficulty seeing things clearly, recognizing faces, and going anywhere outside. When Navy learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three and a half hours seeking treatment. On June 10, doctors will perform a small incision cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in her right eye. After recovery, she will be able to see clearly. Now, she needs help to fund this $211 procedure. She says, "I hope that I will be able to see clearly and can go anywhere I want, such as to the pagoda, by myself."