Jhon Carlos ten years old and lives in Bani, in the southern part of the Dominican Republic, with his parents and two older sisters. He is a sixth grader and an aspiring engineer. His favorite subject is math. Jhon Carlos was born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect, which means that there is a hole between the two lower chambers of his heart. Because the hole allows blood to leak through this hole without first passing through his lungs to obtain oxygen, Jhon Carlos's condition causes him to feel weak and out of breath. Jhon Carlos is scheduled to undergo surgery on May 16 at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral, in Haiti. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of a hospital stay, cardiac exams, cardiac medication, and post-surgery support for Jhon Carlos and his family. The $8,500 procedure will be subsidized by Gift of Life International. Jhon Carlos says, "I am excited for my surgery to be over so I can focus on studying and playing with my friends."

Estherline is a 14-year-old student who lives with her family in a small Haitian town. Her parents are involved in fishing and agriculture. Before she became sick, Estherline enjoyed going to school and church and playing with her two brothers and two sisters. Estherline suffers from mitral regurgitation, which she contracted from a rheumatic fever several years ago. With this condition, blood flows backward into the left atrium. If not treated properly, the problems with Estherline's mitral valve could result in heart failure. She became so sick that she has now been hospitalized for several months. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is requesting $1,343 to cover the cost of Estherline's air transport to the Cayman Islands, where she is scheduled to undergo heart surgery on July 5. Once there, Estherline will receive the care that she needs and will hopefully be able to live more comfortably. "I will pray that God bless everyone that is helping our family through our daughter's illness," says Estherline's mother.

Zion Grace is a sweet four-year-old girl from the Philippines. She lives in a small community with her parents and four siblings. Her father works as a farmer and is the sole provider for the family. Zion Grace loves to entertain her family with her little singing voice. Zion Grace 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 22. Zion Grace 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. Zion Grace's mother is relieved to be receiving assistance. She says, "I hope that Zion can recover from malnutrition and that she will be healthy and will have good grades when she starts to go to school."

Chhorm is a 28-year-old man from Cambodia. He works as a credit officer and likes to watch TV and movies in his free time. Over a year ago, Chhorm had a severe accident causing open fractures in his left tibia, ulna, femur, and patella. He went to a hospital for treatment, but his symptoms did not improve. It is still difficult and painful for Chhorm to walk. After hearing about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), Chhorm traveled for five hours with his brother to reach treatment. On February 22, surgeons at CSC will perform a procedure to realign the bones in Chhorm's left hand, leg, and foot. CSC has requested $411 for the treatment. The surgery will allow Chhorm to walk and move easily again.

Try is a 68-year-old grandfather from Cambodia. He is married and has two sons, one daughter, and two grandchildren. To support his family, he and and his wife sell desserts. When not working, Try likes to watching TV. About two years ago, Try developed a cataract in each of his eyes, causing him blurred vision and discomfort. It is difficult for him to see things clearly and go places on his own. On March 13, Try will undergo intraocular lens implant surgery at Kien Khleang National Rehabilitation Centre, our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is asking for $292 to cover the cost of his surgery. After treatment, Try will be able to see clearly again!

Diogenes is an 11-year-old seventh grade student from Elias Pina, a town on the border between Haiti and western Dominican Republic. He lives with his mother, grandmother, and two younger sisters. Diogenes enjoys playing soccer. Diogenes was born with a cardiac condition called partial atrioventricular canal defect, in which a hole exists between the four chambers of his heart. Blood leaks through this hole without first passing through the lungs to obtain oxygen, leaving him sickly and weak. On February 7, Diogenes will begin receiving treatment at our medical partner's care center, Hospital Pediatrico Robert Reid Cabral. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance, is asking for $1,500 to fund a full cardiac assessment, which includes physical exams, labs, and an overnight stay at the hospital for Diogenes. The funding also covers the cost of medications and social support for Diogenes and his family. Diogenes's surgical care is being subsidized by Gift of Life International for $7,000. "I am excited for my surgery so that I can play soccer with my friends without getting tired!" says Diogenes.

Danis is an 18-year-old boy. He is the third-born of eight children. His family members are traditional pastoralists who look after animals with a small area of crops. Danis was born with a mild right clubfoot, or twisted foot, and his family was unable to seek treatment for the condition. Recently, a missionary told them that it is possible for Danis to walk without pain and that his foot can be fixed to a normal position. The family traveled to our medical partner's care center. Danis will undergo foot surgery on February 3. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,160 to fund this treatment. After his treatment, Danis would like to join his brothers in looking after the livestock. Danis says, "I'd like my feet to be straight so that I can wear shoes and walk properly."

Touch is a 32-year-old farmer who is married and has one daughter. He likes to read magazines, go on Facebook, and watch TV in his free time. In June, Touch fell from his truck and fractured his left leg. He went to a private clinic, where surgeons performed an open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) procedure. Unfortunately, the wound could not heal properly, instead growing infected. It became difficult for Touch to walk, and he was in pain. Touch visited our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), three times to seek treatment for the infection. Recently, Touch visited CSC again. On December 20, surgeons at CSC removed the plate and screws that were fixated during his ORIF operation. After recovery, Touch's infection will heal, and he will be able to walk again. CSC is requesting $411 to fund this procedure.

Meet Siev Mey, a nine-year-old boy from Cambodia. He has two sisters and two brothers. He likes to play games and read his school books. Siev Mey has neurofibromatosis––a disorder that affects the brain, spinal cord, nerves, and skin––in his right eyebrow. This causes tumors, or neurofibromas, grow underneath the skin. In 2012, he underwent surgery in a hospital in Phnom Penh, but his symptoms did not improve. The tumors cause him discomfort and pain. When Siev May's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), they traveled four hours to seek treatment. On November 29, CSC surgeons removed the neurofibromas from Siev Mey's right eyebrow. After recovery, he will be relieved of pain and discomfort. Now, CSC is requesting $224 to fund this procedure. "I hope that my son will look better and have no pain," says Siev Mey's mother.

Ramcel is a four-year-old boy from the Philippines. He enjoys playing with his toy ball. He lives with his parents and five siblings in a hut made of palm fronds and bamboo. Ramcel’s father is a carpenter, while his mother is a housewife. Ramcel has been diagnosed with severe acute malnutrition. He began $268 malnutrition treatment on October 19. Ramcel is being 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 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. "I pray that Ramcel is in good health and recovers from his current situation," says his mother. "I am hoping that he can go to school."

Sunday is a 34-year-old gardener from Uganda. He is married and the father of two children; a boy and a girl who are both in primary school. Sunday is a peasant, and his wife is a hair dresser. She is the breadwinner in the family, although her income is very little due to the high competition facing her business. Sunday is most happy when he is with his wife, whom he treasures very much. He will be fulfilled when their children get a good education. Sunday first started feeling pain concentrated in his groin region, which later developed swelling. He has lived with this pain and swelling for five years. Sunday visited a hospital, where he was diagnosed with hernia. He was advised to have surgery, but never went back to hospital due to financial challenges. If not treated, Sunday may suffer many complications. For $249, Sunday is able to undergo hernia repair surgery. After the surgery, he plans to look for a job and hopes to continue working in the gardens. “I am unable to pay for my surgery. I am requesting for your help," Sunday shared.

Peter is a middle-aged father and husband. He has eight children, four of them are living on their own and four are in primary school. He and his family live in a house in a pro-poor settlement in Kenya. Peter has been running a small shop in his residential area while his wife washes clothes to supplement their family's income. Peter has had a long medical history fighting diabetes which has left him with financial problems. In April 2016, he was admitted to AIC Kijabe Hospital with diabetic ulcers and had debridement and skin graft surgery. His medical bills at the time were written off as he could not raise the money needed. During this time he noted partial loss of vision in his right eye. Peter is unable to see clearly, especially at night, which limits his movement and activities. Combined with his diabetic condition, he is struggling to earn a living. If not treated, Peter will be at risk of total loss of vision in his right eye. “I want to be treated to be able to run a business of my own rather than relying on help from friends," shares Peter. $230 will cover the cost of his care and help him do that.