Menglay is a 2-year-old boy and the youngest of three children in his family; he has an eight-year-old sister and a 10-year-old brother. He loves eating his mother's noodles and fried eggs, and likes to play with his older siblings. In 2020, he was burned on the index and middle finger of his right hand. His parents had him treated at a Children's Hospital, where he underwent wound care and a skin graft. The skin graft has developed a scar contracture, and now he cannot use his two fingers. It is painful for him and he cannot hold anything in that hand. When Menglay's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, he traveled for four hours with his parents seeking treatment. On January 12th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery. Once he heals, he will be able to use his hand and fingers. Now, their family needs help to fund this $477 procedure. His mother said: "we are so worried that Menglay will not be able to use his hand like other children. We hope the doctors can fix his fingers so he can grow up happy and healthy."

Rose is an adorable preschooler from Haiti. She lives with her parents and three siblings in a small town on the northern coast of Haiti. Rose likes helping her family take care of their pets and chickens. Rose has born with a cardiac condition called ventricular septal defect which means a hole exists between the two lower chambers of Rose's heart. This condition often leaves Rose feeling sick and short of breath. Because the surgery she needs in not available in Haiti, Rose must fly to Dominican Republic to receive the necessary treatment. On March 3rd, Rose will undergo cardiac surgery, during which surgeons will a patch the hole in her heart. Our medical partner, Haiti Cardiac Alliance (HCA) is helping Rose's family raise $1,500 to cover the cost of labs, medication, and follow-up appointments. This will also support her family to obtain passports and the HCA social workers who will accompany Rose's family during their travel. Rose's father shared, "We are very hopeful that our daughter will be healthy and strong after this surgery!"

Erick is a seven-month-old baby boy and the youngest child in a family of two children. His mother does laundry work to help provide for the family, while his father is a veterinarian in the area. His business was doing well before the COVID-19 pandemic, but unfortunately, they had to stop paying for health insurance when they became financially strained due to the pandemic. Erick was born with an anorectal malformation, or a congenital abnormality that leads to a complete or partial intestinal blockage. He is scheduled to have corrective surgery on July 5th and now our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is requesting $1,393 to cover the total cost of Erick's procedure and care. After his recovery, Erick will no longer experience bowel dysfunction or be at risk of developing severe health complications in the future. Erick’s father shared, “during this hard time of the pandemic, we are not able to raise any money for Erick’s surgery. Please help us."

Landei is an adventurous, playful and social 10-year-old boy from Tanzania. A while ago, he and his friends were playing in the fields, climbing on electric poles as the cattle were grazing. Sadly, they didn't realize the dangers that the poles posted, and the boys were electrocuted. Landei sustained burns to his hand and thigh. He later developed gengrene and had an emergency below-elbow amputation. However, his condition is not improving and now he needs an above-elbow amputation to save the rest of his arm. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare (AMH), is helping Landei to receive treatment. On June 10th, he will undergo surgery at AMH's care center and now, AMH is requesting $1,088 to cover the cost of Landei's procedure and care. Landei’s father shared, "our son’s accident found us with no money to seek treatment for him that’s why it’s gotten this bad. Please help him have the needed surgery."

Nurat is a three-week old baby from Tanzania. She is the first child of her young parents at a local hospital in Manyara. Nurat’s mother still lives at her parents’ home while her father lives at a rented house. Before Nurat's birth, her mother sold flowers and cooking pots to earn a living and her father has a small kiosk selling domestic items such as sugar, salt, bread. Nurat was born with spina bifida that puts her at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,015 to cover the cost of Nurat's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on June 23rd. This procedure will hopefully spare Nurat from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing her to grow and develop into a healthy girl . Nuru’s mother hopes the best for her child, "Am still in shock and unsettled due to my daughter’s conditions. I was informed that both conditions could be corrected but we are not in a position to afford any of the treatment costs. Please help save my daughter I don’t know what to do."

Delvina is an eleven month old baby girl from Tanzania and the youngest of three children in her family. Her parents grow maize and vegetables for the family to eat and sell. Delvina was born a healthy child though her delivery was complicated and after three days at the hospital her family returned home happily with their newborn baby. At six months, Delvina started getting fevers and falling ill often. Their family tried to seek treatment at a local hospital but most of the medication they were using only relieved her for some time. At eleven months, Delvina could not sit by herself nor support the weight of her head and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain and increases intracranial pressure. She needs to undergo an endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) procedure, a surgery to drain the excess cerebrospinal fluid and relieve her of the pressure build-up in her head. This procedure will save her from brain damage and give her a chance to grow and develop like other children. Without treatment, Delvina will experience severe physical and developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,300 to cover the cost of surgery for Delvina that will treat her hydrocephalus. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 8th and will drain the excess fluid from Delvina's brain. This will reduce intracranial pressure and greatly improve her quality of life. With proper treatment, Delvina will hopefully develop into a strong, healthy young girl. Delvina’s mother says: “I would love to see my daughter grow up like her other siblings but for her to have that chance she has to have this needed surgery.”

Lewis is a playful and social 11-year-old boy from Kenya. He is the sixth born in a family of eight children, and is brother to Jonah, another Watsi patient. When he's older, Jonah aspires to be in the special forces as a military officer in the future. His mother is a single parent and used to be a farmer, but currently stays at home to take care of her children. She recently underwent an amputation on her leg after suffering from diabetes. Lewis had clubfoot of both his feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Lewis traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons healed one foot with support from Watsi and now will perform his other clubfoot repair surgery on January 25th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,286 to fund Lewis's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk and play with his brother more easily. Rosaria, Lewis' mother shared, “We are grateful that Watsi is helping my two sons undergo surgery. We have seen a lot of impact on their feet. Previously, they used to complain of pain while walking and they like playing a lot. We plead for more support to ensure that their feet can be able to step on the ground and walk like other children. God bless you."

Yohannes is a 13-month-old toddler from Ethiopia who loves eating noodles and playing with his mom and with other children. Yohannes’ only family is his mother, who lives in Addis Ababa. She used to work as a domestic worker, but after experiencing labor abuse she is temporarily staying at a charity organization. Yohannes was born with hypospadias, a congenital abnormality that causes urinary dysfunction. Without treatment, he will continue to experience uncomfortable symptoms and will be at risk of infertility. Fortunately, Yohannes is scheduled to undergo corrective surgery on February 22nd. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,293 to cover the total cost of his procedure and care. Yohannes' mother is excited for him to undergo the surgery, saying “I pray for my child to grow healthy and become somebody.”

Pharatt is a 7-year-old student in grade one. He has two siblings, one brother, and one sister, and is the middle child in his family. His mother is a factory worker and his father is a construction worker in Thailand. He lives with his mother and with his grandparents. He likes playing with toys with his siblings, painting, watching TV, and playing games on his mother's phone. When he was one year old, he was burned on his left finger. His family took him to a clinic for treatment, but he now has burn scar contractures that do not allow him to fully use his hand. The contractures tighten the skin around his finger and it is difficult for him to hold anything. His parents are also worried about how it looks to others and how he might be treated because of his burn. When Pharatt's family learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled there hoping for treatment. On February 4th, surgeons at CSC will perform a burn contracture release surgery to to help him be able to use his hand and hold things easily. Now, their family needs help to fund this $477 procedure. Pharatt's mother hopes that her son's finger will better after surgery and he can finally use his finger more easily than now.

Cynthia is in her mid-30s who hails from Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya. Cynthia is a single mother with two children aged 13 and 5 years. She earns wages from laundry labour in the village to provide for her family. Cynthia and her 2 children live in a one-roomed rented house. On Thursday 21st January, Cynthia sustained a severe injury to her right lower limb after she fell down. She was rushed to a nearby facility by Good Samaritan where an x-ray was done and revealed that she had multiple fractures in her right leg. It is difficult for her to walk, and she is in chronic pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On February 4th, Cynthia will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Cynthia says: “My hope is to get treated so that I can resume back to my job in order to provide for my children.”

Angel is a funny and jovial boy. Like his brother, Gilbert, he has a condition known as Bilateral Genu Valgus, or knock knees, that makes it difficult for him to walk. Angel is the second youngest of four siblings and is in the first grade at a local primary school. His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may find. Gibert’s father is a street pastor and also works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Angel's condition began when he was just two years old. He experienced pain and could not walk long distances. Since then, his condition has worsened and he cannot run or play with his friends at school. In June of 2019, he and his brother underwent a Derotational Femoral Osteotom, a surgery that realigns their bones so that they can resume walking comfortably. The surgery was successful for both brothers and Angel has been walking well with his right leg. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Angel will be able to walk comfortably. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,282 to fund this procedure. Angel's mother shared, “I am pleading for more support for their second surgery. God bless you."

Justin is a jovial 7-year-old girl from Kenya. She is a class 1 pupil at Kisisi Primary School and her family hails from Igoji village in Meru County. Justin is an only child, her mother stays at home with Justin’s elderly grandmother while their aunt is a peasant farmer. Justin has clubfoot of both feet. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. Fortunately, Justin traveled to visit our medical partner's care center, AIC Cure International Hospital. There, surgeons will perform clubfoot repair surgery on April 6th. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,224 to fund Justin's clubfoot repair. After treatment, she will be able to walk easily without the deformity. “My joy is to see Justin walking like other children. I am pleading for support that will make her undergo surgery and continue with her studies uninterrupted.” --Joyce, Justin’s aunt told us.