Meet Troth, a 75-year-old woman from Cambodia. “Troth is married with four sons, four daughters, and 12 grandchildren. She enjoys watching Indian dramas and the news on TV," shares our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). Ten years ago, Troth developed mature cataracts in each eye. A cataract occurs when a thin, cloudy layer forms over the eye’s lens. "This causes her blurred vision, discharge, tearing, and fear of bright lights. It is hard for her to see clearly, do work, or go anywhere outside," CSC explains. After learning about CSC, Troth and her daughter travelled one hour to visit their clinic. They learned that a simple surgical procedure may restore Troth's sight. With $225, Troth will undergo cataract surgery, during which her old lenses will be removed and replaced with sheer artificial implants, allowing her to see again immediately after her operation.

Five-month-old Tsehay lives in rural Ethiopia with her parents. She was born with a birth defect called an anorectal malformation. She developed bowel obstruction because of the condition and an emergency colostomy surgery was performed. While a colostomy works temporarily, it will not permanently treat Tsehay's condition. She needs an anorectoplasty, followed by a colostomy closure 2-3 months later, to pass stool on her own. If left untreated, the colostomy could cause infection, irritation, and blockage. Tsehay would also never be able to pass stool on her own. "We expect that after anorectoplasty followed by a colostomy closure in a few months Tsehay will be able to pass stool on her own," her doctor shares. "She will no longer be at risk of infection and other colostomy related complications." "Tsehay's parents are farmers and she is the third child in the family," explains our medical partner. "Tsehay's father has low financial status to manage the household, and as a result the family is struggling. For this reason they can’t pay for their child's medical bill and this worries them very much." $1,500 will cover the cost of Tsehay's treatment, which will take place over the next few months. "We haven’t money to cover our child's bill," her mother said. "My husband has three wives and it is even difficult to manage the household daily needs. And that worried us so much. When we heard about this sponsorship program (Watsi funding) we came. Now we hope Tsehay will get treatment and get better."

Meet one-week-old Praygod from Tanzania. "Praygod is our only child and we love him very much" says his mother. "Praygod was born with hydrocephalus," our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us. Hydrocephalus is a condition caused by a blockage in the brain, which results in an accumulation of fluid and cranial increased pressure. "He feeds well and can move his arms around, but the size of his head is just too big... the size of his head continues to increase with time," states AMHF. Praygod's parents are small scale farmers in Tanzania. A lack of farm growth last season has left the family in a financial constraint. "Praygod's father is trying his best to take any job that can give him some income so that he can support his family," shares AMHF. $775 will cover a life-saving surgery for Praygod to prevent the continued growth of his head, giving him a "better chance of normal growth," says AMHF. "If not treated, Praygod’s development will be affected and chances of survival will be minimal." "All we wish and pray for is for him to live and grow up like other children," says Praygod's mother.

"As Miriam continues to grow, so does the cyst on her left mandible," shares our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Four-year-old Miriam is a "cute, four-year-old girl. She is the second born in a family of three children. She likes to play with dolls and running around with other children," AMHF shares. The cyst in Miriam's mouth started to be noticeable when she was two months old, and it keeps increasing in size with time. Miriam’s parents are worried what will happen if the cyst will continue to grow. They are small scale farmers, relying on growing and selling maize, beans and some vegetables. With three children going to school, it has been difficult to raise enough cash to cover the cost of operation which Miriam needs. $920 will fund the mass excision surgery Miriam needs. "If not treated, the cyst will continue to get bigger and that will lead to a bigger cosmetic and functional deformity and a larger reconstructive challenge," AMHF adds. "Furthermore, Miriam will lose her teeth and thus affecting her nutrition." Let's help Miriam get healthy, and grow up without pain.

Meet Nancy, a five-day-old baby girl from Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), says, “Nancy is the last born in a family of four children and lives with her parents and two siblings in a two-room house.” AMHF reports, “Five days ago, Nancy was born with a mass swelling on her lower backbone area in a hospital near their home. In the company of her mother, Nancy travelled over 450 kilometers to seek treatment.” Nancy has spina bifida, which is a defect where part of the spinal cord is exposed through a gap in the backbone. AMHF says, “If Nancy does not receive treatment, she is at a risk of infection and development of tethered cord, which can lead to either scoliosis or kyphosis.” Nancy needs a spina bifida closure. This procedure will close the defect over her spinal cord. AMHF says, “After a spina bifida closure, Nancy will no longer be at risk of infection developing in the exposed nerves and tissues. It will also prevent development of tethered cord.” AMHF continues, “Nancy’s mother is a housewife while her father is a motorcyclist taxi operator and he supplements the little that he earns by cleaning his church." Nancy’s family needs $805 to cover the cost of treatment. Nancy’s mother says, “I have heard people talk of this condition but I never thought it could happen to my child. This came to me as a shock and my prayer is that little Nancy will somehow get treated.’’

“Vanda is a grade ten student who enjoys playing volleyball,” introduces our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC). An only child, 15-year-old Vanda lives with his parents in Cambodia. Two months ago, Vanda fell and broke his leg. CSC explains, “since then it has been difficult for him to walk. He tells us he is unhappy because he cannot walk properly and is in a lot of pain.” After learning that Vanda would need a complex surgery for his leg, Vanda and his family traveled four hours to visit CSC’s clinic. For $405, Vanda will receive an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure to surgically correct his broken leg. This operation consists of two parts. First, the broken bones will be fitted back into place. Then, they will be re-affixed using metal rods and plates to provide structure--allowing the bones to heal back into their correct position. In addition to surgery, Vanda will also spend two weeks under supervised hospital care, where he will work with a physiotherapist to support his recovery. After recovering, Vanda will be able to get back onto the volleyball court. CSC comments, “Vanda will be able to walk properly and play volleyball with his friends after his ORIF procedure.”

Swinney is a five-month-old baby girl who lives with her young parents and grandparents in a mud-wall house in Kenya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), tells us that her “parents work hard in their little farm, and grow various crops to support their young family and their aged and ailing parents.” However, their “seasonal income is not sufficient to sustain the entire family,” so Swinney’s father also works on construction sites to supplement their earnings. Swinney was born with a condition called spina bifida, where there is incomplete closing of her backbone and membranes around the spinal cord. This has resulted in a cystic mass on her lower back, and if not properly treated may cause infection, malformation of the spinal cord, and loss of lower limb muscle function. According to AMHF, “due to lack of funds her parents have been unable to secure medical care for her,” and instead have turned to traditional herbalists for less expensive treatment. Unfortunately, these remedies have not been successful. “It has been tough battle but I believe we will get through,” says Swinney’s mother, “My prayer is that Swinney gets treated.” With $805, Swinney will undergo an operation to close the opening in her spine. This will significantly lower her risk of developing an infection, tethered cord, and paralysis of her lower limbs, and allow her to have a happy and healthy childhood.