Tusingire is a farmer from Uganda. She is a married mother to six children, three daughters and three sons who are all married and also small-scale farmers. She studied up to primary three and never proceed due to lack of school fees. Tusingire currently earns a living from her banana and coffee plantation which she operates with her husband, they at times cultivate small gardens of beans and maize for home consumption and sell off the surplus to generate an income. Tusingire has experienced a uncomfortable symptoms in a sensitive area. She has been diagnosed with cystocele and poorly healed third-degree perennial tear, her doctors recommend a uterine prolapse repair surgery. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On September 3rd, Tusingire will undergo surgery. She will no longer be in discomfort and will have a better quality of life. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $220 to fund this treatment. Tusingire says, “ I hope to get a new life and continue with farming after treatment.”

Neema is a three-month-old girl from Tanzania. She was born with hydrocephalus, a condition in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. She underwent a shunt insertion to drain the fluid from her brain. Unfortunately, Neema's shunt has been malfunctioning. On November 15, she underwent a revision surgery to replace the old shunt with a new one. "We really hope that the doctors can help Neema get better," says her mother. Neema is the youngest of six children. Her parents are subsistence farmers. They were referred to our medical partner's care center, The Plaster House, by the parents of another child who also received treatment for hydrocephalus. Neema's parents cannot afford healthcare. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $775 to fund this procedure.

"We would like to ask for help for the treatment of our son. We are greatly concerned for his future," share the parents of 14-month-old Archiel. Archiel lives with his family in the Philippines, and has been diagnosed with unilateral clubfoot. "Archiel cannot walk, he is only capable of rolling from left to right," shares our medical partner, International Care Ministries (ICM). "His mother observed that he has poor locomotive and speech development. This makes it hard for them to address his needs and keep him safe. One parent has to stay in the house and watch him all the time and that prevents his parents to work and sustain their family's needs." "Archiel gives his parents so much joy," ICM continues. "Though he cannot speak or walk, he manages to give happiness to his family by smiling and giggling when he is happy. Those simple moments are greatly cherished by the family. His parents are working together to supply for the needs of the family, but still, their income is not even enough for the needs of the children. That is why it is very hard for them to provide for his treatment." For $1,500, Archiel will receive treatment and surgery to correct his clubfoot. After surgery, "Archiel will be more comfortable in facing challenges in learning and development. As part of him is being treated, this can pave the way that other conditions can also be addressed. This surgery will also increase the quality of life of their family as it address the emotional needs, physical needs, and economic needs that is attached to his condition. With the surgery, he can now also start learning and developing his locomotive skills which will also hasten all other learning stages he has to face in his age," ICM adds. "We have been praying that our time to work for our family will be more than what we can do now," Archiel's parents add, "So the future of our children will be brighter. We also would like our life to become a testimony that God truly touches lives and hearts to help the poor like us. We would like to see Archiel grow, walk, go to school and fulfill whatever dream he has."

"I want to walk again without pain," says eight-year-old Noy, a third grade student from Cambodia who enjoys studying Khmer and English and wants to be a teacher when she grows up. “When Noy was six, she received an injection in her leg that was poorly administered,” our medical partner, Children’s Surgical Centre (CSC), tells us. “Her left leg is stiff and immobile because of the vaccination received.” Noy needs a treatment known as quadriceplasty, a surgical technique in which doctors release adhesions and contractures in the thigh muscles (quadriceps) to make it easier to bend the knee. CSC reports, “After a left leg quadriceplasty, Noy's leg will be able to regain function, and she will be able to walk normally and without pain.” $378 will fund surgery for Noy, as well as two weeks of hospital care, five days of post-operative care (including physiotherapy), and four follow-up appointments during the first year after surgery. Noy looks forward to walking normally again, and playing with her toys and friends.

Meet Rabira, an eight-year-old son of peasant farmers from Ethiopia. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains: “Rabira was born with a condition called ‘imperforated anus.’ For the last eight years he has lived with a colostomy that enables him to pass stool.” Also known as anorectal malformation (ARM), Rabira’s condition involves a blockage of stool flow and/or an incorrect alignment of the anus and rectum. Although Rabira has a colostomy, meaning that his colon is linked to an artificial opening so that he can effectively pass stool, his treatment is not complete. ARM still causes vomiting, pain, bloating, and malnutrition, and there is a stigma surrounding it. “Rabira has suffered from social stigma and colostomy complications,” AMHF reports. “[Rabira’s parents] do not have any money to cover any amount of the bills that Rabira's treatment will generate. That is why he has endured all these years without receiving treatment.” AMHF continues, “[They] are very eager to send him to school once he is cured.” This will be possible for $1,500, with which a new anal opening will be created. According to AMHF, “Rabira will undergo a PSARP (the next step following a colostomy) and then two to three months from now he will undergo the final stage of the surgery (colostomy closure).” After surgery, “Rabira will be able to pass stool normally. He will have a chance to attend school, work towards his dreams, and will no longer be under social stigma," AMHF shares. Furthermore, the discomfort caused by this condition will decrease dramatically, further improving Rabira’s quality of life. “Rabira wants to be a ball player but he has a very hard time playing with his peers because of the colostomy. He hopes to be able to play and go to school once he is well,” AMHF tells us.

Meet David, a 5-month-old baby boy from Kenya. He lives in a single-rental room with his family in Kenya. His father works in a small market, and his mother is a housewife. Their daily income ranges from $6-$9. David was born with undescended testis. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF), explains: "In baby boys, it is expected that the testis will descend into the scrotal sack within a few days after birth. This, however, was not the case for baby David." "David's parents had hoped that with time, their son's condition would correct itself," AMHF continues. "But on seeing months pass, they decided to seek medical assistance. They are not able to raise the monies needed for their son's treatment." David needs a double orchidopexy to move his undescended testicles to his scrotum. The surgery will cost $570. "If the surgery is not done soon, David is likely to develop testicular cancer or inguinal hernia. He is also likely to suffer infertility," AMHF tells us. David's mother looks forward to her son receiving the care he needs. "Thank you Watsi for supporting our son," she shares.

One-and-a-half-year-old Millsam is his mother’s pride and joy. While he is shy in a crowd, he loves spending time with his mother and grandmother. Millsam’s mother is raising him on her own. Millsam’s left testis hasn’t yet descended, putting him at increased risk of cancer and infertility. Millsam’s mother says, “I love my son so much. I am filled with joy whenever I think of him and I want the best for him. My wish is to see him grow up like other children and be an independent, responsible son and father.” For $1,180, we can fund orchidopexy and herniotomy procedures to lower Millsam’s testicle so that it will develop normally. Millsam’s mother works hard as a hairdresser to provide food and clothing for her son, but she cannot afford her son’s surgeries on her own. Let’s help Millsam resume normal development!

This is Lydia, a seven-year-old girl from Kenya. She lives with her younger sibling and two parents, who work hard to support their family. Lydia has a serious brain tumor. It places pressure onto her skull and has led to reduced vision and an inability to walk. Her doctors say the tumor will likely be fatal if left untreated. Lydia’s father says, “I can’t imagine what my daughter is going through. I pray that she will get treatment soon and be able to live a healthy life.” For $1,500, we can fund a craniotomy, a surgery which will relieve Lydia’s intra-cranial pressure and significantly decrease her risk of death. Lydia’s father says that he “prays we will able to get her the support she needs for this surgery.” Let’s answer this hopeful father’s prayers and give his daughter back her health!

Ricardo has hydrocephalus, a condition that causes excess fluid to build up in the brain causing life-threatening seizures, fever, and brain swelling. Ricardo’s young mother is a cosmetology student who works hard providing beauty services in her community to support her son. "Ricardo is my first child and I don’t want to lose him,” she says. “I feel very grateful to the hospital for their help." With our support of $1,260, doctors at our partner hospital will perform surgery on Ricardo to drain the excess fluid from his brain. This procedure will alleviate Ricardo's symptoms and allow his head to grow into a normal shape. If Ricardo doesn't receive the surgery, more fluid will build on his brain causing harmful side effects. Let's help Ricardo get the surgery he needs to grow up healthy!

Unbeknownst to his family, three-year-old Anibal hasn't been able to see out of his left eye for years due to a type of eye cancer called retinoblastoma. Anibal's mother recently visited Wuqu’ Kawoq, a Watsi medical partner in Guatemala, for a general checkup. While evaluating her, a doctor noticed that there seemed to be something wrong with her son Anibal, who was also in the room. Upon further examination, the doctor discovered that Anibal is going blind because of cancer. Anibal's family is understandably emotional about the diagnosis. They cannot afford the high-quality care Anibal needs to beat this cancer and see again. That's where we come in. For $1500, we can pay for Anibal to receive surgery, most likely to remove his eye. Depending on pathology results, he may need radiation or chemotherapy. Let's show Anibal and his family that we're with them the whole way!

Lal Bahadur is a 56-year-old farmer in Nepal. He lives with his wife, two sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Lal Bahadur has been living with an appendicular lump for the past year, a rare complication of appendicitis. Lal Bahadur's condition makes it painful for him to farm and he experiences severe abdominal pain and nausea and vomitting. For $1,105, Lal Bahadur will receive surgery to remove the lump. Without the surgery, Lal Bahadur is at risk for such complications as peritonitis or fistula. Once Lal Bahadur has his surgery, he will be able to continue tending to his fields. Let's help him get back to supporting his family without pain!

This is Lilia, a 30-year-old mother from the Philippines. Lilia required a caesarian section to deliver her first child but, unfortunately, her scar did not heal properly, resulting in a large, painful abdominal hernia. Now pregnant again, Lilia's daily activities are hindered by her hernia, and she needs another caesarian section to ensure a safe delivery. Lilia belongs to an indigenous tribal group in the southern part of the Philippines. She and her husband work as farmers and earn about $10 a month. Due to Lilia's need for treatment, they say, "we have been knocking at doors looking for help and thank you for your compassion." Let's work together to help Lilia raise $1,060 for a hernia repair and caesarian section.