"Dinesh was climbing on a wall with his friends in the school when he fell on the ground, fracturing his left hand," explains our medical partner, Possible. Since then, his hand has swollen he has been in pain. Fifteen-year-old Dinesh lives with his parents and siblings in Nepal. He's in eighth grade. His father works in India to support the family while his mother stays at home, caring for her children. As a result of his fracture, Dinesh needs help eating and getting dressed and isn't able to be independent as he was before. His father walked for an entire day to reach Possible's hub, Bayalpata Hospital, in search of care for his son. For $195, we can fund orthopedic surgery to correct Dinest's fracture and make sure his bone heals correctly. This will allow him to regain his independence and ensure he's able to keep attending school.

Alexes is a 5-year-old boy from the Philippines who lives with his parents in a house made of bamboo and nipa. His father works as a laborer, but without a stable income, he struggles to provide for the family. His parents have grown worried because Alexes is losing his appetite. As a result, Alexes is suffering from moderately acute malnutrition. Alexes will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under 5 in ICM communities is either severely or moderately acutely malnourished. Worldwide, poor nutrition is associated with nearly half of all deaths in young children. In remote communities and urban slums of the Philippines, the lack of clean water and unclean environments add risk to potentially fatal childhood diseases. ICM’s Home-Based Feeding program provides nutrient-enriched food packs to ensure malnourished children get additional food to regain normal weight and achieve optimum physical and mental development. After identifying a child as malnourished, staff and community volunteers make weekly visits to monitor this child’s progress. To help sustain the health of the child, ICM's professional staff educate the mother, guardian or other family members about proper nutrition, sanitation, hygiene and organic vegetable gardening.

Juan is a 20-month-old baby living in Guatemala with his family. He is the second youngest of ten children. He lives with his family in a one-room adobe house in a rural mountainous community. His mother works at home, taking care of Juan and his siblings, and in her free time weaves traditional Mayan textiles. His father is a day laborer, who works harvesting corn, beans, and squash. Juan's parents are unable to provide basic sustenance with their income, and he goes days without fruits, vegetables, or eggs. He is far below a normal height and weight, and he has not reached developmental milestones, such as walking and talking. His acute malnutrition has also weakened his immune system, and he has a higher risk for frequent diarrhea, coughs, and fevers. For $512, Juan can receive the treatment he needs to resolve his malnutrition. His treatment cost covers growth monitoring visits, food supplements, and medication to help him gain weight and develop properly. This treatment will strengthen his immune system, increase his overall caloric intake, and make it so he has more energy to play and learn. His parents will also receive nutritional education to help them optimize the diet he needs. Following his treatment, Juan should make a full recovery, rebuild his immune system, and return to proper development. With his expected increase in potential for productivity in society, his posterity will also be less likely to develop malnutrition.

This is Felix, a two-month-old boy from Kenya. At birth, Felix was diagnosed with spina bifida. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us this condition causes "a mass swelling on the lower backbone area. If he is not treated, Felix is at a risk of developing a tethered cord that can lead to scolisis or kyphosis." Felix's father is a construction site laborer often depending on availability of work while his mother used to be a casual laborer washing clothes for pay but since she delivered Felix, she has not been able to work. With these financial restraints, Felix's family struggles to afford the treatment Felix requires for his congenital spina bifida. With $805, a surgeon will perform a procedure where a shunt will be implanted in his abdomen, allowing fluid to be drained from Felix's body with little to no harm. The funds will also cover medications as well as physical and behavioral therapy. After this surgery, AMHF asserts that "Felix will have reduced risk of infection, developing tethered cord, or paralysis on his lower limbs." Felix's mother shares, "I want my child to be well and lead a comfortable life." With our help, Felix will receive the treatment that he needs to get healthy.

This smiling boy is John, a four-year-old from Kenya. At birth he was very healthy, but one year later John’s mother noticed swelling in his groin region. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares, “John's mother sought answers at the nearest hospital, where she learned her son had an inguinal hernia. It could be treated, although not at that centre.” An inguinal hernia is an abnormal bulge in the groin area; it develops when a portion of the intestine pushes through a weak spot in the abdominal muscle wall. The pain caused by an inguinal hernia worsens with certain activities, like bending or lifting. John’s mother says, “John cries a lot especially when he is passing urine and this condition has been there for a while now.” AMHF notes, “if John is not treated, the hernia can lead to blood supply blockage to tissues, resulting in tissue death.” John’s parents own a small food shop that brings in just enough money for their day-to-day needs. They cannot afford the surgery John needs to get healthy. “They only want what’s best for their son, and hope that he will get well soon,” reports AMHF. $430 will fund the hernia repair surgery that John needs. His protruding intestines will be returned to the abdominal cavity and the weak spot in his muscle wall will be strengthened with stitches. Funding will also cover laboratory testing, medication, and a two-day hospital stay. AMHF expects that the operation will relieve John’s pain and improve his quality of life. "I am in deep distress to see my son like this," says John's mother, "I pray that he gets treated soon."

June is a sweet, 11-day-old baby girl from Kenya. June was born with spina bifida and has an open mass on her back that puts her at risk for infection and other serious complications. If not treated, June could develop a tethered cord, which will causes the abnormal curving of the spine known as kyphosis or scoliosis. June's mother is still in high school, so her grandparents are taking care of the baby. Unfortunately, the cost of treatment for June is out of the family's reach. “I wish I was in a position to take care of my daughter myself" said June's mother. "I pray that she can get the treatment she needs.” For $980, we can make that hope a reality by covering the cost of a surgery to close the wound on June's back. Let's help this new baby get a healthy start at life!