Joseph was born in Tanzania just four days ago! Joseph's family works as small-scale farmers, selling maize and beans. Joseph’s mother also sells bananas at the local open market for supplemental income. Joseph was born with myelomeningocele, a type of spina bifida, as well as hydrocephalus, which involves cerebrospinal fluid buildup within the brain. Myelomeningocele is a defect in which a part of the spinal cord protrudes out of the body through an opening in the back. Thus, Joseph is currently living with a lesion on his lower back that is continuously leaking cerebrospinal fluids into various part of his body, including his brain. If left untreated, this leakage can lead to infection, muscle weakness, or paralysis. If the fluid reaches the brain, it can eventually cause blindness, seizures, or brain damage. Often times myelomeningocele can also result in a loss of sensation, particularly in the feet or legs, because the nerves in the spinal column fail to function properly. For only $1,100, doctors will be able to move Joseph’s exposed spinal cord back inside of his body and cover it with muscle and skin. This procedure will prevent the cerebrospinal fluid leakage, reduce Joseph’s risk of infection or any further complications, and allow him to live a healthy newborn life. Joseph’s mother was scared when she became aware of Joseph’s condition. Her family’s small agricultural business does not make enough money to pay for a spina bifida treatment and her third child, born only a year earlier, had the same condition as Joseph and passed away after birth. “I just pray that my son will survive and grow like the rest of my children,” says Joseph’s mother.

Meet Khu Soe, a one-year-old boy from Burma! Our medical partner, Burma Border Projects, shares, “Khu Soe lives with his parents in a village in rural Burma. His father is a subsistence farmer and does not receive an income. His mother stays at home and looks after Khu Soe and the house, and is currently pregnant with [their] second child.” Khu Soe’s doctors tell us, “Khu Soe suffers from a cystic hygroma, which is a fluid filled growth located underneath his armpit. The hygroma causes him bouts of fever, pain, fatigue, and difficulty breathing." His parents’ determination to treat their son’s medical condition knows no bounds; our partner explains, “they have taken him to numerous clinics and hospitals over the last nine months trying to get him treatment, to only be turned away due to a lack of resources and specialized staff to treat his condition. His parents are noticeably worried and say it’s difficult to watch their son suffer while the mass continues to grow.” Burma Border Projects is confident they can help Khu Soe. His doctors explain, “With treatment, the mass will be removed and Khu Soe will no longer experience bouts of pain and fever. He will have more energy to play and experience life like a normal baby.” The team says the “treatment will allow Khu Soe's parents to focus their attention on the needs of their newborn baby.” For $1,500 we can fund treatment to remove Khu Soe’s burdensome growth and ensure that he will be a healthy big brother! Khu Soe’s parents are excited their son will soon be healthy. They say, “Despite the many challenges we have overcome in order to get Khu Soe treatment, we remain very positive and hopeful.”