Jecinta is a shy 17-year-old girl from Kenya who loves playing volleyball. She is the third born in a family of four children. Her family lives in a house provided by their church members because they cannot afford to rent one. Jecinta is supposed to be in her first year of high school, but has still not enrolled due to financial constraints. When she was born, Jecinta's mother noticed her feet were unusual and, as she continued to mature, her feet developed facing outward. Her condition, diagnosed as clubfoot, gave her an unstable gait and often caused her to fall. Due to lack of information and poor finances, the family did not get any assistance. In February 2017, Jecinta successfully underwent triple arthrodesis treatment for her right foot and has been recovering well. On September 11, Jecinta will have treatment on her left foot, enabling her to wear shoes and walk without pain and discomfort. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, requests $1,224 for her medical treatment. “I thank God my right foot has corrected and I have healed now," says Jecinta, while looking forward to her next surgery.

Samuel is a baby from Haiti. He lives with his mother and grandmother in a neighborhood of Port-au-Prince. His mother is a market vendor but has been staying home to care for Samuel since he was born. Samuel has a cardiac condition called severe pulmonary valve stenosis. One of the four valves of Samuel's heart is too small, causing blood to back up into his heart. If untreated, this could become fatal. Samuel will fly to Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On November 8, he will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will perform an open-heart procedure to cut the valve open and increase its size. Another organization, Have a Heart Cayman, is contributing $12,000 to pay for surgery. Samuel's family also needs help to fund the costs of surgery prep. The $1,500 bill covers labs, medicines, and checkup and followup appointments. It also supports passport obtainment and the social workers from our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, who will accompany Samuel's family overseas. His mother says, "I have been very worried about my son's health since he was born, and I am very happy that he is getting the help he needs!"

Ruth is a 14-year-old student who lives in Haiti with her mother, grandmother, and sister. She enjoys going to school and to church, and Ruth would like to study to become a nurse. Ruth suffers from mitral regurgitation, which she contracted from a rheumatic fever several years ago. With this condition, blood leaks backward into the left atrium and could result in heart failure if not treated. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to fund Ruth's air transport to the Cayman Islands, where her treatment is scheduled to take place on July 5. Once there, Ruth will receive the care that she needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. "I am a little scared of my surgery, but I know that God will protect me and make everything go well," says Ruth.

Esther, a 12-month-old girl, was born with a cardiac condition called complete atrioventricular canal defect, in which a large hole exists between all four chambers of the heart, allowing blood to mix freely between them. This prevents her body from receiving enough oxygen, and leaves her sick and weak. This condition is especially common in children like Esther who have Down syndrome. Esther lives in Port-au-Prince with her mother, father, and two older brothers. Her parents both sell products in a local market. Esther is a very curious and friendly child and enjoys spending time with her brothers. Esther will fly to the Cayman Islands to receive treatment. On August 9, she will undergo cardiac surgery. Her family needs help to fund the cost of travel. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343. Her mother shares, "I would like to say thank you to everyone who is helping my daughter have this chance at surgery!"

Bless is a cute and playful 18-month-old baby boy from Tanzania who has two older siblings. Bless was born a healthy child, but when he was three months old he started having trouble breathing. Because of this, he has been hospitalized several times. Although he has been given different medications and injections to reduce the swelling in his adenoids, nothing has helped so far. His mother was then directed to our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, where they recommended surgery to remove the adenoids. After this surgery, Bless will be able to breathe well and he will no longer suffer from sleep apnea. He is scheduled to undergo adenoid removal surgery on May 25. Although Bless's family was able to contribute $49 to the cost of his surgery, he is still in need of $609 to cover the rest of the expenses. Bless’s mother says, "Please help my son get better.”

Morn is a 55-year-old woman from Cambodia who sells gas to make a living. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and go to the pagoda in her free time. Morn developed a cataract in each eye about two months ago, causing her blurred vision, pain, tearing, and extreme sensitivity to light. It is difficult for her to see things clearly, recognize faces, work, and go anywhere on her own. The $292 cost of a phacoemulsification procedure and IOL implants in each eye will allow Morn to see clearly again.

Rikinoi is a four-month-old baby girl from Kenya. She comes from a large family, being the youngest of five children. Her father sells livestock to support his family. Minutes after being born, Rikinoi's mother noticed that her newborn child had a large mass on her lower back. Rikinoi was taken to our medical partner's care center, BethanyKids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH). There, she was diagnosed with spina bifida, a condition in which there is an incomplete formation of the spine. On April 6, Rikinoi will undergo surgery at BKKH to close the gap in her spine. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is asking for $1,097 to cover the cost of Rikinoi's hospital, lab, and medication fees. “I want my child to be well," says Rikinoi's mother. "I appreciate the donors' help."

Hak is a 26-year-old factory worker from Cambodia. He is married and has one son. In his free time, Hak enjoys watching TV, listening to music, and looking after his son. Hak's left shoulder is dislocated, making it difficult for him to use his arm and causing him pain. His doctor at our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), has recommended an ORIF (open reduction internal fixation) surgery to appropriately realign his left shoulder. CSC has requested $411 for Hak's procedure and hospital stay, scheduled for February 15. After the surgery, Hak will be able to move freely again.

Sochea is a 37-year-old cleaner from Cambodia. She likes to take care of her two sons and one daughter, do housework, and spend time at the farm. Sochea developed an ear infection in her left ear when she was seven years old. The infection eventually spread to both ears and perforated both her right and left eardrums. As a result, Sochea experiences ear discharge, hearing loss, and tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. It is therefore difficult for her to communicate with people at work. Sochea originally went to a hospital in Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, for treatment. However, she did not have enough money to pay for the necessary surgery. She later heard about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, from a relative. She traveled for one hour by motorbike with her mother to receive treatment. On January 23, ENT surgeons at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre will perform a special surgery called a bilateral myringoplasty, repairing both of Sochea's perforated eardrums and stopping the discharge and pain. Over time, Sochea's hearing will improve. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $831, which will pay for Sochea's surgery, medications, and eight nights in the hospital.

Four-year-old Lenlen loves to play, draw, and sing with her friends. She lives with her parents in the Philippines in a house made from bamboo and metal sheets. The family uses lamps and solar energy for lighting, as they do not have an electricity source. Lenlen's father and mother work on a farm. Lenlen has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. Malnutrition threatens her growth and development and could even be fatal if not addressed. Fortunately, she will begin $268 malnutrition treatment on February 21. Lenlen will be treated by International Care Ministries (ICM), a Watsi medical partner. One out of five children under five in ICM communities is either severely or moderately 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. "I hope that my child will soon have a normal weight and finish school someday," shares Lenlen's mother.

Sumaya is a student and an expectant mother from Uganda. In 2014, she delivered her first child through an emergency C-section. At the age of 24, Sumaya is pregnant with her second child. Due to her previous C-section, her doctors expect complications with this birth. Thus, her pregnancy is considered high-risk. She will check into the hospital on December 20, where doctors will provide care and monitor her situation as she gives birth. Our medical partner, the Kellermann Foundation, is asking for $241 to help fund this treatment. Sumaya aspires to be both a loving mother and to continue her studies to provide a better future for her child. “I wish to thank the people that are supporting me to have a safe birth," she says.

Birungi is a three-year-old girl from Uganda. She has one sibling. Her parents do not have a stable source of income. In 2014, Birungi developed a painful swelling in her upper abdomen. Over time, the swelling progressively increased in size. She felt pain when she ate or coughed. One year ago, Birungi was taken to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with a supraumbilical hernia. Her parents could not afford to pay for treatment. When Birungi's mother learned about Watsi, she brought her daughter to our medical partner's care center, Holy Family Virika Hospital. On November 23, Birungi underwent a hernia repair surgery. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $249 to fund this procedure. Birungi’s mother hopes that she will grow up healthy.