Agrey is an 18-year-old young man from Tanzania. He is the youngest of eight children, and his parents are subsistence farmers. When he was nine years old, Agrey's legs began to bend, and they have continued to do so. Though he completed seventh grade, he has not sought a job because of the pain he experiences when he walks. Agrey's parents were referred to our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House, by a neighbor whose grandchild was born with the same condition. Agrey was diagnosed with genu valgus, a condition in which the legs bend inward and the knees touch. On November 30, he began a treatment plan that includes surgery, casting, and physiotherapy. Now, his family needs help to pay his $940 medical bill. "I would like to look like my peers with straight legs," says Agrey. "I hope that once I have finished my treatment, I will be able to look for a job."

Somaly is a two-year-old girl from Cambodia. She has one older brother and two older sisters. She likes to play with dolls and play games. Somaly was born with a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and cloudy lenses. She has difficulty walking around independently. When Somaly's mother learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, they traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 22, doctors performed a lens aspiration in each eye to remove the cataract. After recovery, Somaly's vision will improve. Now, her family needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope my daughter can see like other kids," says Somaly's mother, "so that I don't have to worry about her eyes having any problems. I want her to be able to play with her siblings and friends, and I want her to go to school to study like other children."

Mouykea is a 65-year-old Cambodian woman with one son and three grandchildren. She likes to listen to monks pray on the radio and join ceremonies at the pagoda. Three years ago, Mouykea developed a cataract in each eye, causing her blurred vision and extreme sensitivity to light. She has difficulty seeing things clearly and going anywhere outside. When Mouykea learned about our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, she traveled for three hours seeking treatment. On December 22, doctors performed a phacoemulsification cataract surgery and an intraocular lens implant in each eye. After recovery, Mouykea will be able to see clearly again. Now, she needs help to fund this $292 procedure. "I hope to be able to see more clearly," says Mouykea, "so that I can go to the pagoda and other places easily without needing to disturb others to take care of me anymore."

Sophal is a 50-year-old farmer with two sisters and one brother. She likes to do housework and work on her farm. Since she was a child, Sophal has experienced ear discharge in both ears, hearing loss, and otitis media, an inflammatory disease of the middle ear. She also developed a cholesteatoma, an abnormal skin growth, in her left ear. She is in pain and has difficulty communicating with others. Sophal was referred to our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC), from an organization in Phnom Penh that provides ear healthcare services. She traveled for two hours with her husband to seek treatment. On November 23, CSC surgeons performed a mastoidectomy procedure in Sophal's left ear to remove the cholesteatoma. After recovery, her ear discharge should stop, and her hearing should improve. Now, she needs help to fund this $842 procedure. "I hope to have good hearing," she says. "I want to be able to communicate with people easily."

"Three days ago, Joseph was born to his young parents," shares our medical partner in Kenya, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). When welcoming their "new bundle of joy," Joseph's mother noticed a small swelling on his back that the doctors were cautiously observing. "It came as a shock to both parents when the doctors informed them that the swelling was a skin defect that required surgical intervention as soon as possible," AMHF adds. The swelling was diagnosed as spina bifida, a neural tube defect where there is an incomplete closing of the backbone, with leaking fluid causing a bulge in the skin. AMH explains that if left untreated, "Joseph is at a risk of infection, and development of a tethered cord, which can lead to scoliosis and loss of muscle function on his lower limbs." Joseph's father, who works as a driver, is the family’s only source of income. Despite the support from their families, the young couple was only able to afford transportation to the hospital. $805 funds treatment that Joseph needs to thrive and live a healthy life. It covers the cost of a spina bifida closure procedure, anesthesia, a five-day hospital stay, lab work, and medicines. "The surgery will help reduce the risk of infections, developing a tethered cord, and paralysis on his legs," AMHF shares. Joseph's parents inform AMHF that they are hopeful that treatment will help their new baby grow up healthy and achieve all he would ever want in this life. “I want our son to grow up knowing that we tried everything possible to have him treated," Joseph's mother says, "Any help accorded towards his treatment will be highly appreciated."

Eight-month-old Neema was born on May 4th, 2015 with congenital nervous system complications. As our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains, “Neema was born with encephalocele on the back side of the skull.” Encephalocele is rare defect that occurs when a baby is born with a gap between the skull bones. When this happens, a fluid-filled sac protrudes from the site of the opening. If untreated, this mass can worsen and expose Neema to further complications. “The protrusion is growing with time and Neema also has hydrocephalus [fluid build-up in the brain] which needs management,” AMHF tells us. “Neema is already showing developmental delay as she still has no trunk control. She is also at high risk of losing her vision if not treated.” The youngest of seven, Neema lives with her family in Tanzania. Neema’s parents are livestock keepers who supplement their income by farming. “They did not expect their baby to be born with congenital deformities, but they still love her and hope that something can be done to restore her wellbeing,” AMHF shares. For $1,200, Neema will undergo lifesaving brain surgery to treat her encephalocele and hydrocephalus. Doctors will perform reconstructive surgery to restore the normal structure of her skull and drain the excess fluid from her brain. After surgery, Neema will be transported to Plaster House, a specialized surgical rehabilitation program. There, she will spend two weeks working with physiotherapists and physicians during critical parts of her recovery. AMHF expects that Neema will retain her eyesight and benefit from normal childhood development. “We really hope that our daughter will get well, have the ability to walk, to reason, and the strength to do various activities,” Neema’s father says.

Mesiaki was born at home on December 28th, 2015. “He is the first born to his young parents who are still living at Mesiaki’s grandparents’ house (father’s side) while slowly trying to build their own house,” says our medical partner in Tanzania, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). Mesiaki was born with a condition called spina bifida — a protrusion on his lower back which is growing with time. Although Mesiaki is active and breastfeeding well there is a risk that the protrusion may burst leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), creating bigger health problems. Mesiaki is also at risk of developing hydrocephalus if not treated. “Mesiaki’s mother is very worried about the condition of her son,” AMHF says. “She was unable to bring him to the hospital sooner because they needed a few days to gather enough cash to travel from their village to a hospital where their baby can receive proper treatment. Mesiaki’s parents are small scale farmers; they rely on selling the little that remains after taking out what they need for food.” $1,200 will cover the cost of surgery to treat Mesiaki’s condition, and prevent future complications. After treatment, “The protrusion on Mesiaki’s back will be removed, allowing him to sleep on his back, continue with normal growth, and he will also be out of the risk of developing hydrocephalus.” “God has given us this beautiful baby and we pray that He will see him through his health problem,” Mesiaki’s mother says. “We would love to see him growing up like other children and later on live an independent life.”

Linda is a three-year-old girl from Guatemala. A few years ago, Linda's older sister passed away from symptoms consistent with Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmenal disorder resulting in delayed development. However, she was never properly diagnosed, as her family could not afford diagnostic tests. Linda is now showing the same symptoms as her sister. Linda was born a seemingly healthy child, however, “Around the age of 2 1/2 she started to lose development milestones—she used to be able to talk and walk and slowly that dissolved,” says our medical partner, Wuqu' Kawoq (WK). "Now, she has lost the ability to walk, talk or communicate in any way. She has muscle contraction in her hands and legs and has difficulty controlling her movements." WK suspects that Linda has a metabolic disorder such as Tay-Sachs disease or Rett syndrome. Given Linda’s sister’s early death and her mother’s pregnancy history, Rett syndrome is a possible diagnosis. A confirmed diagnosis is needed to help Linda and her family plan how to best care for her. With $1385, Linda will receive a full workup screening for conditions associated with developmental delays, receive routine physical therapy, and receive anti-epileptic medication to decrease muscle convulsions and allow her more comfort. “I will take her anywhere, wherever she needs to go to get care,” says Linda’s mother. “If it’s for her I want to fight."

Meet Musa, a 17-year-old from Tanzania. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) explains, “Musa is a previous Watsi patient** who underwent contracture release of his left axilla in 2015. The surgery was a success but Musa still needs his elbow and wrist to be released because all that could not be done in one surgery.” "Musa is still unable to use his left arm properly due to the contracture of the elbow and wrist," his doctor continues. Musa's burns were due to a fire in his home when he was a child. $550 will fund Musa’s single contracture release procedure. This procedure will release the tightened muscles and tissue of his wrist and palm, and amputate the fifth and second finger of his right hand. AMHF says, "His parents still need financial support for surgery to be done." "Musa longs to go back to school," his doctor adds. **Musa's first profile on Watsi: https://watsi.org/profile/cd2d1ccb1251-musa

Meet Chheang, a 74-year-old woman from Cambodia. Chheang “spends her time planting crops around her home and visiting the pagoda to listen to the monks pray," says our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre (CSC). "Two years ago, Chheang developed a cataract in each eye," CSC shares. This condition causes a thin, filmy layer to form over the eye lens, leading to blurred vision. Due to partial blindness, teary eyes, and itchiness, Chheang finds it increasingly difficult to keep her independence. "It is hard to see everything clearly and I can't recognize faces,” she shares. For $225, Chheang will receive vision-restoring cataract surgery. In both eyes, the cloudy lenses will be removed and replaced with artificial substitutes. Chheang will be able to see clearly again after less than a day of recovery. "I hope after treatment my eyes can see everything clearer than now so I can easily do any work and go anywhere by myself," Chheang shares. "I hope I won't have to disturb someone to help me get places, and I don't want to worry about my eyes becoming blind in the future."

Meet Rebecca, a baby girl from Tanzania. Rebecca is 13 months old, and the youngest of her family’s two children. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), shares that Rebecca enjoys playing with dolls and tins. Rebecca was born with meningocele and spina bifida -- a gap along the lower end of her spinal cord causing a mass to grow. AMHF explains that without treatment, Rebecca faces the risk of further neurological complications as she continues to develop. Rebecca’s parents, both small-scale farmers, earn a modest combined income that is not enough to cover the cost of the operation she needs. For $1,200, Rebecca will undergo surgery to treat her meningocele and spina bifida. This treatment will heal the mass on Rebecca’s back, preventing infection and reducing swelling in the area. AMHF tells us that Rebecca is an energetic baby and is already sitting, crawling, and kneeling. While she is still too little, Rebecca keeps trying to walk. With treatment, Rebecca will gain the strength to experience a healthy and active childhood.

“Florence is the last-born in a family of five children,” says our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF). The four-month-old baby girl lives in Kenya with her mother and siblings in a single mud-walled house. Due to hydrocephalus, Florence’s head began to increase one month after she was born. This congenital neurological condition causes an accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the brain--making the head swell. “[Hydrocephalus] leads to blockage of the return-flow channels, chronic headaches and irritability. If not treated, accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid may cause brain damage,” AMHF tells us. A single parent, Florence’s mother works on a local farm to support her children. However, her income alone is not enough to cover the cost of Florence’s surgical needs. For $980, a shunt will be inserted into Florence's head to remove the excess fluid. AMHF explains that this procedure will help stabilize intracranial pressure and prevent Florence from having long-term health issues. “It has been hectic for me and at times I feel like giving up but the urge to give my children the best keeps me moving,” Florence’s mother shares. “I really hope that Florence will get treatment.”