Ly is a 23-year-old student from Cambodia. She is in her second year at university where she is studying economics. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, listening to music, and cooking food. Ly developed an ear infection in her right ear when she was five years old. This caused her right tympanic membrane to perforate. This has caused hearing loss, pain, and recurrent discharge from her ear. She has received ear drops from various health centers over the years for treatment, but her condition requires surgery to be fully treated. After hearing about Watsi's medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), on the radio, she traveled two hours with her mom to reach the facility for treatment. Doctors at CSC discovered a cholesteatoma—an abnormal skin growth located behind the eardrum—in Ly's right ear. A cholesteatoma initially develops as a cyst after chronic ear infections. Over time, the cyst sheds layers of old skin that collect within the ear. Without treatment, a cholesteatoma can grow large enough to cause hearing loss, dizziness, or facial paralysis. For $809, surgeons at CSC will perform a mastoidectomy, a surgical procedure in which doctors remove the diseased cells in the hollow, air-filled spaces in the skull behind the ear. The cells—known as mastoid air cells—are diseased as a result of Ly's ear infections that spread to the skull structures near her right ear. Doctors will also remove the cholesteatoma that has grown behind her right eardrum. Funding for Ly also covers the costs of two hearing tests, one night in the hospital, one day of inpatient post-operative care, and three outpatient follow-up visits in the month following surgery. After surgery, Ly's ear discharge and pain will stop. Let's help make that happen!

Sovan's hands and arms were cut by a sheet of zinc last year. Although he was treated at a local clinic at the time of the accident, his right hand is still in pain and he is unable to hold anything. Sovan is a 48-year-old farmer from Cambodia. He has a family of eight children, and enjoys watching boxing on TV and listening to traditional Khmer music. Unable to find proper treatment in the area where he lives, Sovan traveled three hours with his wife to reach Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). There, doctors identified a tendon and nerve injury in his right hand, as well as a loss of sensation of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th fingers of his left hand. They recommended Sovan have surgery to repair these damaged nerves and tendons. For $392, surgeons will perform a tendon and nerve graft on Sovan's left forearm. This will restore his mobility and sensation after recovery, and Sovan will be able to return home with full use of his hand. Then, he can continue to work and support his family.

Daniel, a one-month-old boy from Kenya, is the only child to his parents. “He seems healthy and according to his mother, Daniel feeds pretty well,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Unfortunately, Daniel has a lump in his navel area that has been diagnosed as an umbilical hernia, or a protrusion of the intestine through the abdominal wall. “The lump gets bigger when Daniel coughs, cries, or when he goes to the bathroom. It shrinks when he is relaxed or when he is lying down,” explains AMHF. “If not treated early, Daniel is likely to develop intestinal obstruction or strangulation,” continues AMHF. However, Daniel’s parents cannot afford the treatment their son needs. “Daniel’s father is a casual worker in a tea factory near their home,” says AMHF, and he is the sole provider for the family. “My son is still very little and I am worried of the effects that come with this condition,” shares Daniel’s father. “We have tried our best and have raised $52 towards his treatment but unfortunately it cannot cover all the cost of Daniel’s surgical care.” With the help of Watsi donors, the remaining amount of $430 can be raised for his hernia repair surgery. During the procedure, doctors will return the herniated intestinal tissue to Daniel’s abdominal cavity and fix the weakened area in his abdominal wall. “After a hernia repair, Daniel’s risk of intestinal obstruction or strangulation will be lowered,” states AMHF. “He will have a chance to grow up healthy and normally.”

27-year-old Maryam lives with her mother in Nigeria. She loves to knit, and has just started a business as a trader. Recently, Maryam was found to have uterine fibroids, or noncancerous growths of the uterus that typically form during child-bearing years. "Maryam experiences heavy menstrual bleeding, excessive pain, and frequent urination," our medical partner, Hope for West Africa (HWA), reports. Though fibroids are not cancerous, they do cause great discomfort and can lead to other conditions, such as anemia. For Maryam, they have impeded her ability to work and help her mother with the family business. To cure Maryam of the fibroids, she will need to undergo surgery. $1,500 will pay for her surgery and a seven-day stay in the hospital for follow up appointments. After the procedure, "Maryam will be able to work and improve her business," HWA tells us. A vibrant young woman, Maryam is most excited to no longer experience pain or a prolonged menstrual flow. "I am looking forward to when I can assist my mother without complaining of pains and to not feel self-conscious," Maryam shares.

Mercy is a six-month-old girl from Kenya. She was brought to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), by her parents and her uncle. Mercy lives in a two room house with six other siblings where her mother watches over the family at home and nearby, her father works in a tea factory. When Mercy was born, she developed a sac-like protrusion on the lower backbone. This open defect on her spine, a condition called spina bifida, has already been hindering her normal development for the last few months. The congenital deformity is often a consequence of fetal hydrocephalus where cerebrospinal fluid adds pressure to the spinal cord. “Mercy came to the hospital with a leaking mass, so surgery must be done [promptly] to avoid severe infection and other complications,” explains AMHF. If her condition goes untreated, tethered cord syndrome is likely to develop, resulting in a permanently hunched back or a spine bent sideways. Mercy requires $805 for a spina bifida closure surgery, in which a surgeon will correct, reconstruct, and close the deformity. Long term monitoring and braces are part of the treatment process to observe her walking ability and gauge surgery success. AMHF believes the surgery will eliminate infections, prevent more nerve damage in the future, and decrease her chances of developing tethered cord syndrome. Mercy's father says, "I hope Mercy will get treatment and this condition will be past us. Please help us make her treatment possible."

Ruth lives in the mountains of Haiti with her mother, grandmother, and four siblings. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA), tells us that eight-year-old Ruth "does not attend school, but likes helping her mother around the house, playing with her brothers and sisters, and singing." Ruth loses her breath and energy quickly, however, because she was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect. "A hole exists between the two lower chambers of her heart," HCA says. "Ruth also has down syndrome." Ruth's heart condition makes it difficult for her body to circulate and process her blood efficiently. HCA explains that "because she has lived for so long with this condition, there is a chance it may no longer be repairable, but the only way to determine this is by inserting a catheter into the chambers of her heart. Since this is not possible in Haiti, arrangements are being made to bring her to Dominican Republic to perform this extremely important test in the hopes that she can have heart surgery soon." For $1500, Ruth will be taken to the Dominican Republic for the catheterization procedure that will determine whether she is a candidate for heart surgery. If she is operable, she will be prepared for surgery as soon as possible. "We are very happy that there is hope for Ruth, and hope that she will be able to have surgery," her mother says.

Meet Foska, a two-year-old girl from Uganda. “Foska is the youngest of four children and lives with her family in a small village,” reports our medical partner, the Kellerman Foundation. “Foska’s mother grows and picks tea, which is the family’s main source of income. Her father works, making lumber when he can, but he is gone from home a lot.” Foska has severe acute malnutrition, characterized by below average height and weight for her age group. Malnutrition is widespread in Uganda – affecting approximately 39 percent of young children. “Foska is suffering from severe acute malnutrition complicated by diarrhea, an eye infection, and severe edema," an excess of watery fluid collecting in tissues of the body, KF explains. “It has the potential of affecting her normal growth and cognitive development.” For $375, Foska will receive comprehensive treatment for malnutrition. This cost includes intravenous medication to combat infection, cannulation to supply a steady stream of nutrients, therapeutic milk preparation, diagnostic tests, and a ten-day hospital stay. “Foska will return to normal growth and development patterns. Her Oedema, diarrhea, and eye infection will be treated,” her doctor says. Foska’s mother is relieved that her child will be able to enjoy a healthy life. KF tells us, “She is very grateful to be part of this program. She is looking forward to her child getting well and following the recommendations of the Community Health Nurse in the future.”

Jao is a lively 11-month-old baby from the Philippines who "loves to smile at the people around him," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). “When Jao was born, it was found that he did not pass stool at all," ICM shares. Jao was born with an imperforate anus, and one day after birth, Jao received a colostomy as a temporary solution. Jao’s parents tell ICM, “We have given up farming and started to do weaving so that we can stay at home and take care of Jao.” However, their combined earnings of $55 a month from bag weaving is not enough to support the family’s daily needs, much less the colostomy bags Jao requires. $965 will fund corrective surgery to create an anal opening for Jao. ICM expects that after a few months, Jao will be able to have his colostomy closed and, “With this, he is one step closer to becoming a normal child with lots of things to look forward to as he grows." Jao’s parents share, “We would really love to see him well just like any other kid."

"Fabrice became very ill with rheumatic fever when he was 13 years old," shares our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA). "This fever severely damaged his mitral and aortic valves, leaving his heart unable to properly pump blood through his body. As a result, he has been very weak and unable to attend school for the past five years." "18-year-old Fabrice lives in Haiti with his grandmother and his aunt. He lost his parents when he was young," HCA continues. "He has many friends even though he cannot attend school. He likes watching soccer on TV and would like to study to become either an engineer or a doctor." $1,500 will fund overseas transportation and preparation for Fabrice's heart surgery. Maine Medical Center has contributed $25,000 to fund the procedure itself. "Following surgery, Fabrice will require lifelong anticoagulation and blood testing but should otherwise be able to lead a full and normal life," HCA adds.

Meet Samey, a 49-year-old monk from Cambodia. Our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), shares, “Samey was married before he became a monk, and has three sons.” Most of Samey’s days consist of praying, meditating, and reading Buddhist books. Samey has had a mature cataract in each of his eyes for three years. CSC reports, “The cataracts make it almost impossible for him to read his religious works, do work around the pagoda [Buddhist temple], and he can’t go places that are far away.” Samey needs cataract surgery on both of his eyes—a treatment that costs $225. The surgery will replace Samey’s cloudy lenses with clear implants. CSC reports, “Samey will have clear vision in his left eye and will be able to come back in one to two weeks to have surgery on the other eye.” This surgery will restore Samey’s vision and allow him to return to the hobbies and daily activities he enjoys. CSC continues, “After surgery Samey is looking forward to reading easily, taking part in the ceremonies at the pagoda, and being able to go anywhere.”

Meet, Alinafe, a one-year old baby girl living in Malawi. To support the family, “Alinafe’s mother runs a small scale business to earn their living,” shares our medical partner, World Altering Medicine (WAM). At a crucial point in her early childhood development, Alinafe has experienced growth issues as a result of a condition called hydrocephalus. Alinafe was brought to WAM’s clinic when her mother observed a growth on her head. A medical examination confirmed the diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a rare neurological medical condition caused by a fluid buildup in a localized area of the brain. Without intervention, the pressure and fluid buildup can lead to long term health complications, especially throughout important stages of childhood development. At this point, Alinafe is beginning to have problems with her vision and is experiencing issues with walking. With, $992, Alinafe will undergo surgery to drain the excess fluid from her brain. This procedure will be done by means of an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), which will naturally drain out the blocked fluid. In addition to her operation, Alinafe will receive seven days of hospitalized care as well as all of the necessary preoperative and postoperative examinations required for a safe surgery. This procedure is expected to have a great impact on Alinafe’s childhood growth and overall health, allowing her to “regain her sight and start walking again,” comments WAM. “I am hopeful to have the surgery done,” Alinfe’s mother shares.

Meet Gabriel, an adorable baby boy who lives with his mother in Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that Gabriel is living with hypospadias. AMHF explains, “his urethral orifice is abnormally placed on the side of his penis. As a result, he has an irregular urine stream.” Due to this condition, “Gabriel is likely to experience urinary tract infections. He might also suffer impotence. When he gets older, Gabriel will not be able to pass urine in a standing position,” AMHF reports. With proper treatment, hypospadias is curable. However, Gabriel’s mother is not in a position to afford the necessary surgery. AMHF shares, “Gabriel and his mother live at his widowed grandmother’s home. His mother had been living in Malaysia with her husband who turned abusive when she became pregnant. She escaped back to Kenya, [but] left all her possessions including her documents, and therefore securing a job has been a challenge.” Despite the hardship, Gabriel’s mother has not lost hope for helping her son receive medical care. With $655, Gabriel will be able to get the treatment he needs. The money will pay for surgery to reconstruct the urinary channel into the proper position, thus correcting the hypospadias. AMHF adds, “if treated, Gabriel will be less likely to suffer urinary tract infections and impotence. He will be able to pass urine normally.” Looking forward to that day, Gabriel’s mother says, “It will be my delight to see my beloved son well. I hope to one day secure a job and be able to provide for him.”