Reynatris is a four-year-old girl. She was diagnosed with a cardiac condition called patent ductus arteriosus at birth. A hole in her heart, which normally closes shortly after birth, remained open. Blood leaks through this hole without passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving her sick and weak. Reynatris lives in eastern Dominican Republic with her mother, grandmother, and one younger sister. She loves to play dolls with her sister. Although Reynatris is not Haitian, our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is collaborating with their partners in the Dominican Republic to offer treatment to Dominican children. She will undergo cardiac surgery at our medical partner's care center. First, Reynatris will undergo a full cardiac assessment on February 15. This assessment will include physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital. Haiti Cardiac Alliance is requesting $1,500 to fund these procedures. Funding for Reynatris also covers the cost of medications and social support for her and her family. Gift of Life International is contributing $7,000 to cover additional costs associated with Reynatris's surgical care. Reynatris's mother says, "I never thought it would be possible for Reynatris to have surgery. This is like a dream come true for our family."

Pius is a six-year-old boy from rural Uganda who is the fifth child in a family of six. His mother is a farm laborer, and his father does masonry work in their community. When he is feeling okay, Pius likes to play with other children at home and build with sticks and mud. Pius has been experiencing severe malaria with symptoms of high fever, diarrhea, nausea, and general body weakness. When the malaria presented itself, Pius's mother ran to a clinic and got him pain relief drugs, however these were of no help. Pius was later referred to our medical partner's care center, Bwindi Community Hospital. If not treated, the disease may have long-term effects on Pius's life. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is requesting $120 to help fund Pius's malaria treatment, which he is scheduled to receive on June 17. Pius is in first grade, and his parents are hoping that he can continue with school following his hopeful recovery. Pius's mother has expressed, “I wish to thank the donors for the support, all we had we have paid it in transport and treatment at the health facility where we first went due to fearing the costs at Bwindi. God bless the donors for your support.”

“I wish I could do something in return for the donors for helping my daughter,” says the mother of Abia, a ten-year-old girl from Uganda. “If I could, I would give them a basket or a hen. We are so grateful for the help.” About ten months ago, Abia had a bad fall and injured her knee. Although her parents quickly obtained medical care for her, the wound still did not heal properly. Nearly a year later, the injury site is still issuing discharge every day, and the knee causes Abia intense discomfort. Recently, doctors at Bwindi Community Hospital (our medical partner's care center) diagnosed her with chronic osteomyelitis, a dangerous infection of the bone. Before her accident, Abia was in the third grade, where her favorite subject was math. She also enjoyed playing netball with the other girls and jumping ropes made out of vines. But she has had to drop out of school due to pain and difficulty walking. To heal her osteomyelitis, Abia needs to undergo surgery. Currently scheduled for April 26, this procedure will remove the infected parts of bone from her leg. But her parents cannot afford to pay for this operation. For $1,205, we can sponsor Abia’s surgery, as well as the associated three-week hospital stay, follow-up visits, and crutches for her recuperation period. Despite her recent medical and academic setbacks, Abia is determined to someday become a primary school teacher. Let’s help her heal quickly so that she can get back on track to pursue that dream.

Nine-year-old Confidence lives in Uganda. The oldest of three children, she enjoys studying, learning new things, and skipping rope with the other children in her school. After school she likes to help her mother around the house and with cooking. Her mother and father are small farmers, growing food for their family, including potatoes, beans, and millet. They also pick tea on the local plantation for extra income to pay for school fees. Confidence has severe malaria complicated by anemia. She has fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Her parents first took Confidence to the local health center, which referred Confidence to the hospital because her case was too complicated for the health center to treat. Her father carried Confidence to the hospital on the back of his motorcycle. On February 25, she will begin her treatment of anti-malarials and possibly receive a blood transfusion. Our medical partner, The Kellermann Foundation, is asking for $120 to cover the costs of Confidence's treatment. Your donation will help pay for her laboratory tests, medication, and supplies for her blood transfusion. Her mother is looking forward to taking Confidence back to school when she is better. “We appreciate the donors helping our daughter," says her father. "We moved here from another part of the country and don’t have much land to farm, yet. We were struggling hard to get the fees for the hospital."

Flavio is a nine-year-old boy who needs a wheelchair. He has Down Syndrome and cannot walk without support. Currently, Flavio's parents carry him, but this is becoming increasingly difficult as Flavio grows and gains weight. Flavio lives with his parents, little brother, and older sister in rural Guatemala. His father is a farmer, and his mother takes care of their home. She carries Flavio to physical and language therapy, which was [funded](https://watsi.org/profile/4136f70e9432-flavio) by Watsi. Unfortunately, Flavio is becoming increasing confined to his home. Our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq, is requesting $1,034 to fund a wheelchair for Flavio. Flavio will continue going to therapy and will once again be able to participate in community life outside the home.

Krouss is a four-year-old boy from Haiti who was born with a cardiac condition called valvar pulmonic stenosis. One of the valves of his heart is too small to allow blood to adequately pass through. As a result, oxygen does not reach his body in sufficient quantities, leaving him sickly and weak. Krouss needs surgery to ensure he can grow up healthy, and without further complications from his heart condition. Surgeons will insert a balloon inside the valve and inflate it to stretch the valve open. Depending on the result, he may or may not then need an open-heart procedure. The treatment will cost $6,500, however Health City Cayman Islands has subsidized part of the treatment. Through Watsi, $1,500 will cover the cost of overseas preparation and transportation for Krouss and one parent as the surgery will be performed in the Cayman Islands. Krouss lives with his mother and father, and he is their first child. His father is a security guard and his mother sells goods in the local market. He is a very intelligent boy and has already learned to read, and is looking forward to starting school next year. "I am most excited about getting to go on a plane ride," Krouss shared excitedly.

Meet Boniface, a 26-year-old who lives in Kenya with his mother and five siblings. His father and brother passed away a few years ago, so Boniface works in a vehicles' spare shop to help support his mother's income working on their small farm. Last year, Boniface began experiencing painful head migraines. He took over-the-counter medicines to try and alleviate the pain, but when he recently went to the doctor he was diagnosed with both hydrocephalus and a brain tumor. Hydrocephalus is an accumulation of water in the brain that causes increased pressure in the skull. In conjunction to this condition, the tumor has made it difficult for Boniface to see, and he needs assistance with walking because he cannot keep his balance very well. He also had to stop going to work. Boniface already received surgical treatment to drain the accumulated fluids and reduce the cranial pressure, but now surgeons recommend a crainiotomy to remove his tumor. If not treated, Boniface will continue experiencing migraines and risk complete blindness. Furthermore, he will be at risk of the tumor growing and causing more severe complications, even resulting in death. After his operation, Boniface will be able to return home to his family and continue supporting his mother and siblings. "I want to be free from the migraines and continue helping my mother," Boniface shares.