Sheilla is a previous Watsi patient who successfully underwent a shunt insertion to treat acquired hydrocephalus in December 2015. In April 2016, Sheilla presented with a mass swelling on the lower backbone area, diagnosed as spina bifida. Sheilla is at a risk of infection, development of tethered cord that can lead to either scolisis and/or kyphosis and loss of muscle function on her lower limbs if not treated. Sheilla seems restless as her mother tries hard to make her feel comfortable. She cannot do most of the things her peers can, and she can only sit with something supporting her head. Late last year, after Sheilla successfully underwent a shunt insertion, she has been doing fairly well. Sheilla’s mother is still single and living with her parents, their financial situation is yet to change and they are hopeful that Watsi will assist Sheilla undergo this other surgery. Spina bifida repair for Sheilla will help prevent risk of infections, developing tethered cord and paralysis on her legs. “I want my daughter to grow up knowing that we tried all means to ensure that she gets well. Any help accorded towards her treatment will be highly appreciated,” Sheilla’s mother said.

This is Teav. She is 76 years old and lives in Cambodia. She has five children and 15 grandchildren, and enjoys going to the temple. Teav developed cataracts in both of her eyes about a year ago. This has left her with blurry vision, and it is hard for her to see anything clearly or go outside by herself. Teav’s daughter accompanied her to our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), where she expressed the hope that her mother can recover. “I don’t want to worry about her losing her vision anymore," she shared with CSC's staff. For $225, Teav will have surgery to remove the cloudy lenses in her eyes and replace them with clear, artificial implants to restore her vision. Let's help make it happen!

Meet 26-year-old Sokunthea from Cambodia. “Sokunthea is a garment worker who enjoys listening to music, especially pop songs,” shares our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). Unfortunatey, Sokunthea was recently involved in a motorcycle accident that has left her unable to provide for herself. “Sokunthea was hit by a car while on a motorcycle in August,” reports CSC. “She fractured her right femur and patella (kneecap). It is difficult for her to walk because of her broken leg. She also experiences pain and cannot work. Her parents must take care of her until she is better.” “Sokunthea feels sad, because she cannot work to support herself,” shares CSC. “She received treatment with Khmer traditional medicine a month ago, but her condition did not improve.” With $405 in funding, Sokunthea can receive an open reduction internal fixation surgery to realign the bone fracture into its normal position and keep the realigned bone stable via steel rods, screws, or plates. This cost includes anesthesia, medical instruments, general operation supplies, laboratory work, physiotherapy, post-operative medicine, and x-rays. Sokunthea should be completely healed after surgery. CSC says, “Sokunthea will be able to walk again without pain, and return to work at the garment factory to support herself.”

Say hello to Mayra! Mayra is a one-year-old girl living in Guatemala with her family. She is the youngest of the five children in her family. Mayra's parents have a small plot of land for growing food, but it isn't enough to go around, so she's become malnourished. Our medical partner Wuqu' Kawoq (WK) writes, “Mayra has had several severe intestinal infections and this has led to weight loss and slowing of her height growth as well. Furthermore, she is very delayed in terms of her basic motor development, which is a sign that her brain and nervous system are not developing normally like we would hope.” Her parents are very concerned, but lack the resources to get her on track. Mayra's mom tells us that she is sad to "see my daughter not doing well. But I'm thankful for the help you are giving me so that she can get better." With just $535, WK is able to provide nutritious formula, medications and treatment to help Mayra become better nourished. This will improve her growth and development, and preserve her future cognitive potential. Let's pitch in to give little Mayra the shot at life she deserves!

Ma Swe is a hardworking 34-year-old farmer from Burma. She lives with her husband and 17-year-old son and together they harvest corn as agricultural day laborers. Ma Swe has had a mass on her ovary for several years and is now seeking help from our medical partner, Burma Border Projects (BBP). They share, “In 2012 she felt a mass developing around her pelvis. It caused her back pain and fatigue. The mass was treated with monthly injections and the family went into debt to pay the hospital costs. However not long after the procedure the mass returned, and so did the back pain. Sometimes the pain stops her from going to work, making her feel sad because she cannot contribute to the family's income.” Ma Swe needs support from Watsi donors to afford the care she needs. BBP explains, “Her family spent all of their savings and went into debt when she had treatment the first time round and they no longer have any money for further treatment.” For $865, Ma Swe can receive surgery to remove her ovarian mass completely. “Surgery will allow her to put the pain and worry her condition has caused her over the last two years finally behind her,” BBP says. Let’s help Ma Swe get better so she can focus on working and taking care of her family!

Gorakh is an amiable 52-year-old married man who suffers from an intestinal obstruction. He works hard on his farm to support his wife and two sons. In his spare time Gorakh is active locally in “various social transformation activities like campaigns against caste/gender based discrimination.” The obstruction causes debilitating abdominal pain. If left untreated Gorakh could suffer from an intestinal perforation or even death. Gorakh hopes that with this procedure he will be able to live a long life and provide an opportunity for his sons "to become good and lovable human beings." For $915, we can fund Gorakh’s surgery and help him raise a loving family.

Daw Win is a 51-year-old woman from Burma. She works as a phone operator in her village, and spent all of her free time taking care of her aging mother until she passed away recently. For the past twenty years, Daw Win has been seeking treatments for a prolapsed uterus. This happens when the pelvic muscle walls weaken. Because the uterus is no longer supported, it descends and causes back pain, numbness, and swelling. These symptoms worsened when Daw Win was constantly lifting and caring for her mother, and walking long distances for her job. Daw Win says she is extremely stressed about her financial situation. She incurred debt while caring for her mother, and cannot even come close to being able to afford the hysterectomy she needs to treat her condition. She is looking for help to raise $540 to cover the cost of her surgery, which will allow her to recover fully and begin working again.

For the past two years, Beatrice has experienced serious pain caused by uterine fibroids. The pain is so severe that it hinders her ability to work on her farm and socialize with her friends. The fibroids also cause bleeding and give her headaches. Beatrice has traveled to several different hospitals seeking treatment, but has been misdiagnosed each time and as a result hasn't received proper treatment. A 58-year-old single mother from Kenya, Beatrice’s three children are grown now, but they are unable to fund the hysterectomy surgery their mom needs to relieve her symptoms. Beatrice says she is pained by the fact that she has to depend on others despite having "hands to farm." For $885, we can fund Beatrice’s hysterectomy surgery so she can support herself again!

16-year-old Beshan is a determined girl from Ethiopia who deeply wishes to attend school. Beshan was born with an anorectal malformation, which means she is unable to pass stool properly. Beshan's condition causes deep social isolation and keeps her from attending school. Her parents are very poor and are unable to afford the medical treatment she needs. “I would love to go to school!” exclaims Beshan. “If I get better, I am determined to start from scratch.” For $1,500, we can fund the surgery to correct Beshan’s malformation, giving her the opportunity to receive an education and lead a life as a welcomed member of her community.

Richard is a 15-year-old boy from Malawi who wants to attend school like his peers. However, because Richard has a condition called macrodactyly, which causes several of his toes to be enlarged, he is constantly teased and harassed by other children. Richard is also unable to wear shoes and cannot walk properly. Richard has yet to finish a year of school because of teasing. Instead, he stays close to home and helps his parents with chores and other work. Richard's treatment will involve the surgical removal of his enlarged toes. Richard has been thinking about life without his large toe and how he will be able to attend school with his peers, and he is excited to walk normally. For $1,000, we can fund Richard’s surgery and give him the confidence to attend school!

Joseph is a one-year-old boy living in Kenya. He has a visible superficial mass growing on his back, which, left untreated, may affect his structural and physiological growth. His mother hopes that Joseph, the firstborn in his family, can get surgery before the swelling grows any further so that he can have a bright unhindered future. Joseph’s father is a casual farm laborer and his mother is a housewife. His family has struggled just to raise enough money to get Joseph to the hospital. For $750, Joseph can get a mass excision to prevent any further growth so that he can lead a normal productive life. You can give him the chance he deserves.

Margaret is a school teacher and mother of 4 who has cervical dysplasia. Chased from her home in 2007 as a consequence of politically-related violence, Margaret spent the intervening years working to provide for her family. Margaret dreams of watching her children mature into strong, independent adults. Margaret's condition is a precursor to potentially life-threatening cervical cancer, but thankfully it is still treatable. $750 will pay for a total abdominal hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), which will treat Margaret's cervical dysplasia and preempt the cancer that could develop if left untreated. Treatment would let Margaret return to work, care for her family, and make good on her dream of watching her children grow.