Meet Kachope, a 77-year-old father of six who lives in Uganda. He spent his life working as a farmer, but now is mainly supported by his children who are self-employed. Kachope has had a swelling in his right scrotal for a long time. The swelling has increased in size over the years, and although it does not cause him much pain it does make him feel very uncomfortable especially when he is walking. Kachope visited a hospital once where he was diagnosed with hydrocele-- a fluid filled sac that surrounds the testicle-- and was advised to have surgery. However, Kachope was unable to pay for the operation, He decided to just live with the condition, but if not treated, Kachope will continue experiencing discomfort and the swelling could continue growing. For $215, doctors will surgically remove the sac of fluid and Kachope will be relieved of the swelling and discomfort. After surgery Kachope hopes to recover and have good health in his old age.

Meet Esther, a 15-year-old student from Kenya with dreams of becoming a banker. She is the second born child in a family of three children raised by a single mother. Esther comes from a poor family, but luckily her education is sponsored by a local bank in the country. Esther's mother works as a waitress to support her family's needs, but the burden of providing for the family is heavy because Esther's father does not offer child support. Esther started developing blisters on her leg in December of 2012 and was taken to different hospitals for medical treatment. Due to the infection on her left leg, Esther is not only in pain, but her leg is also swollen and she has difficulty walking. As a result of her physical impairment, she now attends a special school as well. She has previously received skin grafting and debridement (removal of damaged tissue) surgeries, but these cost her mother over $3,125. However, treatment is vital for Esther. If not treated, she may end up developing severe infection, which may result in amputation. Thus, Esther was referred to our facility for further treatment. For $940, Esther will undergo another debridement, but if this seems as though it would affect her heel bone, which surgeons find unlikely, they would instead employ a VAC, or vacuum-assisted closure, which drains blood or other fluids from a wound. About a week following this, they would then do a skin graft. Once she is healed, Esther will be able move about more easily and return to a more normal lifestyle. “I would like to be well and attend a normal school to realize my dream of becoming a banker," shares Esther.

Snow is a ten-year-old Burmese girl who lives in a refugee camp with her parents and older sisters. For the past eight years they have lived in the camp. Snow's family moved to the camp as they didn’t own their own home or land, and they were living with Snow’s grandmother and other members of the extended family. This situation influenced their decision to migrate to the refugee camp in Thailand. Snow and her family would like to relocate to a third country but they are uncertain whether the opportunity will present. In the camp, Snow’s mother does laundry for others for a small income. Previously her father worked as a carpenter but is unable to work now because of hemorrhoids. Their monthly income is insufficient for daily expenses, savings or health care expenses. Living in the camp, they receive food rations which offset the burden. At times the family has to borrow small amounts of money, which they repay when they can. Snow and her two sisters attend school. Symptoms first appeared with Snow when she was seven-years-old. She had severe pain in her abdomen when she was just sitting, and she was uncomfortable walking. After an examination at the camp's medical clinic, she was diagnosed with rectal polyps. On January 28th, the surgeon excised a rectal polyp. Snow’s mother didn’t receive information from the hospital regarding Snow’s diagnosis or treatment due to the language barrier. Snow was symptom-free for eight months but she had to return to the clinic on several occasions with the same symptoms. She was finally given a diagnosis of juvenile polyposis - marked by frequent recurrence of polyps in the colon and rectum with third degree internal hemorrhoids. $1500 will cover the cost of Snow's surgery to remove the additional polyps she now has. Although she is still going to school, Snow is unable to engage in active play and her appetite and sleep patterns have been disturbed. She likes to play with her dog and she enjoys singing and listening to music. "I would like to be a singer when I am older," Snow said. Let's help make it possible!

Emely is a nine-month-old baby living with her parents and older siblings in a small plantation community in Guatemala. Her father works in the fields while her mother prepares food for the family and workers. Our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK), tells us that Emely can sit up by herself, and she plays with her rattle, smiling when people talk to her. Unfortunately, due to their income, Emely’s parents are unable to provide her with basic sustenance and she goes days without fruits, vegetables, or eggs. Thus, Emely was diagnosed with acute malnutrition. She is far below a normal height and weight--nearly three standard deviations below the normal measurements for her age. Her acute malnutrition has also weakened her immune system, and she has sustained frequent diarrhea, coughs, and fevers. When she does get sick, she loses her appetite and stops eating. “I hope that my daughter will stop getting sick as often, and will be happy and healthy,” shares Emely’s mother. WK says that for $512 Emely will receive the treatment she needs to resolve her malnutrition. This cost covers growth monitoring visits, food supplements, and medication to help her gain weight and develop properly. This treatment will also strengthen her immune system, increase her overall caloric intake, and provide her with more energy to play and learn. Her parents will also receive nutritional education to help them optimize the diet she and her siblings need. Following her treatment, Emely should make a full recovery, rebuild her immune system, and return to proper development. “I appreciate the support that my daughter will receive due to Watsi donations,” Emely’s mother says, “I have hope that she will recover and be okay.”

This is Tumusiime, a 2-year-old boy from Uganda. Tumusiime lives with his father, who is a peasant, and many other children as well. Tumusiime began to experience painful symptoms due to a swelling in his scrotum. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation (AMHF) says, "His father claims Tumusiime has difficulty passing stool occasionally. He has pain and sometimes refuses to eat." Because his father could not afford the surgery, Tumusiime has been kept on painkillers to keep his pain at bay. $220 in funding will allow a surgeon to excise the hernia tissue, close the weakened area in the groin region, and strengthen the abdominal wall. With the necessary surgery, AMHF says Tumusiime "will no longer be at risk of intestinal incarceration, obstruction, or strangulation." Without these health complications, Tumusiime will grow up as a healthy young boy, and his father will "get peace of mind and continue working hard to support his family," AMHF says.

“Melany is happy child. She loves to play with a little doll given to her by a neighbor and she also likes to dance and imitate her mom singing, even if she cannot say the words,” shares our medical partner, Wuqu’ Kawoq (WK). 14-month-old Melany is from Guatemala, and currently lives with acute malnutrition. "Melany has diarrhea and fever," says WK. "Her appetite is low and she is far below the average height and weight for her age. Frequent diarrhea prevents Melany from absorbing critical nutrients, and extreme poverty has prevented her mother from being able to buy protein and nutrient-dense foods for Melany. She is showing signs of developmental delays, and at 14 months she cannot sit or walk on her own." "Without intervention, Melany will continue to fall away from the growth curve, her immune system will continue to weaken and her physical and mental growth will be further limited," continues WK. "She is at risk of the long-term and detrimental effects of malnutrition.” Melany and many other WK patients are indigenous Guatemalans – one of the most marginalized and vulnerable populations in the world. They live in rural areas and suffer from high rates of food insecurity. For $512, we can fund a multifaceted treatment for Melany’s malnutrition. “This treatment will give Melany the growth monitoring, medication, micronutrient and food supplementation she needs to succeed. Her mother will receive nutrition education that will improve Melany’s health now and for years to come,” explains WK. Melany's mother shares, “I am so happy to be a part of this program and hope my little girl will be able to recover from malnutrition soon.”